If you are like me, you want your students to talk out minor situations with their peers without always having you involved. However, actually getting to that happen effectively can be extremely challenging. Having young students talk respectfully without being accusatory or disrespectful is difficult because they likely do not know how to do that yet. However, all of that can change with the Feeling Bench.
The Feeling Bench is an area in your classroom where you can keep a small seating arrangement (small bench, 2-3 chairs, 2-3 cushions, etc.,) where students can retreat to in order to discuss the situation that occurred. In my classroom I have a small white bench that fits 2-3 students comfortably. Students should only be going to this area when they need to talk to another peer as a result of an action that hurt their feelings or bothered them in any way. Once at the Feeling Bench, students use the "I Statement" poster (refer to the post about that awesome tool!) to chat about the incident. The victim shares first using the I Statement poster following all of the prompts. Once finished the students continue the discussion however it is necessary and then they return to their attention and their bodies to the classroom activity at hand. Most of the time it involves a student simply apologizing for their actions. Other times it involves a student helping them fix something they broke or damaged as a result. Regardless, it lets the students be in control of their feelings and solving their problems.
I modeled this several times with my students and now it is a routine in our classroom. My students know to visit the Feeling Bench whenever they need to without asking for permission. I have witnessed students going to the feeling bench during Daily 5 centers, talking out the situation that happened, then returning to work, all without disrupting the group I was working with. I have also witnessed students going to the bench right after recess to talk with a friend about something that happened on the playground. Again, without asking me and without getting me involved. Now of course my students know that if the situation involves someone becoming physically hurt or property being broken beyond repair, then I should be involved. However, 99% of the time, the students can discuss the situation and solve it on their own.
The Feeling Bench is a great tool to implement into your classroom to teach self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship skills! This area, once modeled, will allow your students to talk respectfully to their peers to solve problems that arise. Have even more questions about the Feeling Bench? Click the "Get in Touch" button to send me an email and we can chat!
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