More Than A Circle

Breaking down complex concepts into more relatable and user-friendly forms is a common practice. When doing so, it is important to take into account the age, interests, strengths, and needs of the learner.

As a support staff member at a nearby elementary school, I occasionally substitute for our librarian. During one such instance in the library, I observed that a few of our younger students (in transitional kindergarten) were distressed when they couldn't borrow a new book due to having an overdue one. The idea of borrowing books was unfamiliar to many of them and proved challenging to grasp.

After reaching out to the teacher, I shared my idea and scheduled a visit to her classroom to address her students. The motivation behind my idea was as follows:

The circle, with its simplicity and recognizability, was adopted as a visual tool to encapsulate a process and illustrate the connections among the parties. It was assigned a name that would assist students in visualizing and remembering the process.

I explained when a book was borrowed, the Library shared the book with a student and the first half of the circle was done. When students returned the book the following week, the second half was done and The Library Circle was complete.

Even if a student happened to forget their book, a positive library experience was still ensured. The focus was not on the forgotten book, but on how they could assist me in completing the circle.

The circle offers limitless possibilities. It can serve as a tool for elucidating various concepts (share your ideas in the comments section). May your perception of a circle be forever transformed.