When I was a classroom teacher, I would start the year by sharing with my students, “Our classroom community is like a wheel!” Looking at a wheel – with the hub and many spokes coming out from the center – gave my students a powerful visual image.

This provided a tangible example of how our class is “all in this together,” with each one of us being an essential part of a strong, safe, inclusive, and welcoming community.

The Community Wheel is a simple tool which can be useful for any group of youth or adults. Here’s how to get started:

• • Show a picture of a wheel or bring in an actual wheel.
  • Explain how the hub of the wheel represents our common interests and values as a group. Have them imagine that each spoke represents a person in the group.
  • If one spoke breaks, then the wheel no longer moves as smoothly or safely…
  • Whether it’s a single individual or a group effort, when one person needs more support, it is important for other members to provide encouragement and assistance to keep things moving.

Then discuss as a group:

• • We are all part of and have loyalties to many different communities – families, sport teams, clubs, faith communities, cities, countries, even the world.
  • Sometimes our loyalty to one group conflicts with our loyalty to another. For example, students from the same classroom might be on competing sports teams. Members of the same family might have different political or religious beliefs.
  • To which community is your strongest allegiance?

Regardless of these different loyalties, we are all members of the human race. Let’s use the resources of conflict resolution and Kidpower safety skills to uplift cooperation, positive communication, trust, and respect for one another’s points of view, so we can collaborate on the wellbeing of our communities.