Challenge by Choice 20, Growth Circles Focus: Challenge by Choice, perspective taking, ‘Materials: Ropes or tape on the floor—in three concentric circles (see Figure 4.1)" Panic Zone Comfort Zone Figure 4.1 ‘Suggested Procedure 1. Oulline the growth circles on the floor and discuss their meaning (see facilitation notes) 2, Ask questions like those below, and have people put themselves into the circles they feel ‘most appropriate. How do you feel about: + spiders? 4 * speaking in front ofa large groupt60 ‘THE CARING CLASSROOM fait Adley 2 singing solo in front ofa large group? 2 Na taggin coin deine rainy XK * Bungee jumping?. : a ing a family inember that you love him-of-her? ony. g ig heights? . 1 ke OU oie, + confronting a friend about something he or she did or said? + nakest math test Af introducing yourself tp someone new? if * taking a diver’ test 3. After each questo is asked and people have moved into position, give the students a chance to coment on why they put themselves in their particular spots. 1s there a story to shaie? Who is sharing'a point of view? 4, Altera few of your questions, allow students to asi any questions they have forthe class, ‘SAMPLE PROCESSING QUESTIONS FOR GrowTH CIRCLES ‘+ Were you surprised by where you ended up compared with others? © How can we support the etioices éach of us makes? + How can we encourage you to step into your growth zone without putting too much, pressure on you? What kind of encouragement is useful to you? ‘+ What can we do to respectfully tell people when the encouragement they are giving is too much? ‘When consldering the idea of Challenge by Choice, iis helpful to talk about the idea of chal- Tenge as wel as choice, The Growth Citcles game allows thi. When we ae in our comfort zones, each of us isin a place that js safe and secure. By choosing to step out of the comfort Zone tothe growth zone, we are open to new ideas and experiences. We are, in essence, Beal ing new ground, Although not always comfortable, this isa place for optimum leaming. What we ty to avoid is going beyond the growth zone into the panie zone. The panie zone is a place where learning cannot take place because the threat is too great. Challenge by Choice affords the opportunity for students (and teachers) to make the decisions that are right for them: It is a delicate balancing act for each individual-—how to take advantage of challenging opportunities without going over the edge, This activity helps the lass to explore these issues. Through the diseussion, bound- “afies can begin to be established about how much to encourage people to pus theniselves, ‘and how to suppor the choices éach person makes. Adaptations for Students with Disabilities: Growth Circles Cognitive disabilities | + Focus on one area at a time (comfort zone fist then growth zone, then panie zone), $0 that students ean more easily dis- tinguish their feelings. ‘Orthopedic impairment | * Make sure theré is enough room for wheelchairs in each zone. Heating impairment | + Have an interpreter available if necessary, Visual impairment