Circle of Knowledge

The Circle of Knowledge technique is highly motivating and is an ideal technique for reinforcing skills in any subject area. It provides a framework for review in which everyone learns more or solidifies what he or she has already mastered.

Several small circles of 5-6 students are positioned around a room. One student is elected as recorder. A single question or problem is posed that has many possible answers. Examples would include: the 50 states, causes of war, products of a country, synonyms for a word...... Each team will respond to the same question simultaneously but quietly. A member in each group is designated as the first to begin and the answers are then provided by one member at a time (clockwise or counterclockwise). No member may skip his turn, and no one may provide an answer until the person directly before him has delivered his; therefore the answers stop while a member is thinking for a possible response. No teammate may give an answer to another, but may act out or pantomine hints to help the person remember. Only the recorder may write. At the end of a predetermined time the teacher calls a halt to the knowledge sharing. The number of response of each team is noted but credit is not given at this time.

The teacher divides the chalkboard or overhead into columns and numbers them so each represents a team. In turn a representative from each team or circle offers one of the answers suggested by the group. When an answer is provided, the teacher writes it in that team or circles' column. All recorders then look over their list of answers and if that answer appears the recorder crosses it off thus gradually decreasing the length of the list until only the answers that have not yet been reported remain. This process continutes until no team has any remaining answers on the list.

Answers given are awarded points. Answers can be challenged by rival teams. The teacher decides if answer is correct. If the answer is right and the challenger incorrect, the challenger's circle loses the number of points given for one correct answer. If the answer is incorrect and the challenger was right, the circle that sponsored the answer loses the point(s) and the challenger's circle gains them.

The important thing to remember about Circle of Knowledge is that they may be used only to review something that has already been introduced or taught.

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