The Wheel of Choice

Written By Lois Ingber

Having options and the opportunity to choose is liberating and facilitates self-directed and self-determined behavior.  When confronted with challenges or feelings we’re not sure what to do with, having a Wheel of Choice keeps us mindful of options and takes us to next steps.
 
Follow these steps to support students in creating a Wheel of Choice.  Example Script (for anger):

  1.  “Feelings are always okay.  What we do with those feelings is not always okay.

  2.   What is anger?   Where do you feel it in your body?   What kinds of thoughts do you have when you’re angry?

  3.  Now think of some things that will help you calm down when you’re angry.”  Examples:

  • Take 10 slow deep breaths

  • Walk around the classroom

  • Read a book

  • Use blocks to build something

  1. Give a blank sheet of paper and markers, colored pencils or whatever the student prefers to use.

  2. Have the student draw a pie divided into 4-6 slices for younger students and 6 to 8 slices for older students.

  3. Have the student brainstorm solutions that might be helpful for the challenge, and have them write and/or draw a picture of each in one of the pie slices.  Be sure to let the child take the lead.   Provide suggestions if needed that are safe and respectful for everyone.

  4. The student can have copies for the Learning Center and for home.  Decide together where they want to keep it for easy access.

The Wheel of Choice can be for the individual student, for classroom use created during a class meeting, or for use on the playground created by student representatives.
  
Here is a link for more information and examples:
https://www.positivediscipline.com/the-anger-wheel-of-choice
 
The Wheel of Names is a free resource for an online version: https://wheelofnames.com/
 
Challenge:   Can you think of a student who could benefit from having a Wheel of Choice?  
  
Lois Ingber, LCSW, CPDLT
Behavioral Counselor
lingber@myelement.org

Lois Ingber

LOIS INGBER, Behavioral Counselor, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Positive Discipline Lead Trainer.  Lois holds a Bachelor Degree in Sociology from UCLA and a Masters in Social Work degree from SDSU where her focus area was Children, Youth, and Families.  Lois has worked in social service, private practice, hospital, clinic, and school settings, most recently for seventeen years at Rady Children’s Outpatient Psychiatry providing school-based counseling services.  Lois was a Community Montessori and Dehesa parent prior to joining the staff in 2016 and brings this perspective to her role.   Lois is responsible for providing education, collaboration, and support implementing the Positive Discipline model and social/emotional competencies in the Learning Center and home learning environments, in line with Element’s philosophy of self-directed learning and the development of mastery, autonomy, and purpose for students and the adults who serve as their guides.

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