Friendship+Scaffolding

=Creating a class sociometric=


 * 1) Have photos of every child in the class displayed.
 * 2) Discreetly call children over 1 at a time (or visit them quietly as they work). Ask each child, “Can you tell me the names of 3 people in this class that you are friends with, or that you would like to be friends with?” Students may answer by naming or pointing to photos.
 * 3) When data for all students is collected, you may begin to map out classroom dynamics. If you would like, make a line down the middle of your paper to divide names by gender.Remember to date the sociometric!

Begin with the first child’s name, drawing arrows to names of mentioned friends. Then go on to the second child, doing the same.



4. If children have named one another, draw a double-headed arrow rather than 2 arrows. You may choose to highlight these to help you better identify good friends or groups of children that may be excluding other children.

5. If you are interested, you may count the number of times a child is named. The goal is for every child to be named as a friend by at least 1 person. Children who are not chosen by anyone may need additional support to build friendships. Keep in mind that this is just 1 measurement tool, and should be used with your own classroom observations. If a child is CONSISTENTLY not chosen by his/ her peers, that is when you become concerned about social skills.

6. Information you may be interested in could be: cross-gender friendships, previously known friends versus those made in class this year, friendships you do not find conducive to classroom learning, children you may want to partner together in order to encourage a new friendship, playdate suggestions for parents, new class formation.



= = = Other tricks we use in our classroom: =

=Friendship Chain:= 1. Pre-cut strips of colored construction paper in the classroom. (Strips are 2"X8.5") 2. When two children are making a good friendship choice, or if they solved a conflict, they can fill out a link. 3. Students choose one strip of paper, and each student writes their name on the strip. Be clear that students should write their name only. This process should be quick. After writing their names, students place the strip in a basket of completed links. 4. Hang the completed links to form a paper chain around the room at least once/week with the kids. If the kids are interested, they can tell the class why they were able to fill out a link.



At the end of the year we count how many links we filled out, then each student gets to take home a portion of the friendship chain. = = = = =RX for a perfect playdate:= http://web.me.com/wcreath/Room_6_kindergarten/Playdate_RX.html