Class meetings – games and activities to promote connecting and accepting differences among pupils

Paper

The article is about various activities and methods that have proven effective and useful during my lessons. We are all dealing with discipline issues, conflicts among pupils and so on. Therefore I have decided to introduce and present a few of them and hopefully these ideas might come in handy to someone else . All of the activities, such as the game of silence according to the Montessori pedagogics, which can give children a precious gift that could last a lifetime: the ability to cultivate and appreciate silence, can be used in more than just one way.
"When the children have become acquainted with silence...(they) go on to perfect themselves; they walk lightly, take care not to knock against the furniture, move their chairs without noise, and place things upon the table with great care.... These children are serving their spirits."
—Maria Montessori, Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook
Another useful method are social games, we can use them to improve friendly relations among pupils. Tibi cards which can be used in various ways are also a helpful didactic aid. However, I feel it is important to emphasise that all of these activities take some time. In the long run they have a positive effect on the pupils and help creating a positive classroom atmosphere as well.