Does Los Angeles Unified School District endorse Council for elementary school students?
LAUSD recognizes the value of Council at schools as a character development program, as a conflict resolution program, as a powerful tool for delivering curriculum, and as a vehicle for developing speaking and listening skills, elements of the district’s literacy program. The district has begun offering salary point classes to teachers on using Council in classrooms. What happens during a typical Council session? Of course, the nature of a Council session might vary according to the ages of the students, the characteristics of the group, or any issues that may have arisen on the yard, in class, or elsewhere. A typical recent Council in the second grade involved everyone sharing a story about a time when they had fun. On another day, students shared how they were feeling or what was on their minds after playing a rhythm game similar to those used by music teachers. Stories ranged from feeling tired to anticipating birthdays to feeling sad about moving away soon. Everyone listened carefu
