Reaching All By Creating Tribes Learning Communities: A New Way of Learning and Being Together

by Jeanne Gibbs

TRIBES, A NEW WAY OF LEARNING & BEING TOGETHER, details an inspiring process transforming educational systems. Educators & parents who are committed to preparing students to do well in today's world of rapid change, information & complex issues will appreciate the integrated approach to learning critical thinking & collaborative social skills. The focus of TRIBES is nothing less than the development of each & every child within the school community. The approach transforms traditional "teacher-talk" classrooms into student centered classrooms using cooperative learning methods, ways to reach students of multiple learning styles & the supportive learning environment, called TRIBES. The book details how to build the caring environment by facilitating a three-stage group development inclusion (everyone belongs), influence (everyone contributes) & community (learning together). Students enjoy on-going membership in a tribe of peers throughout the year & become accountable to each other for accomplishing learning tasks. TRIBES is used by thousands of educational systems with multicultural preschool through adult populations. Over time the process lessens behavior problems, increases academic achievement, & improves staff morale & intergroup relations. The book contains 432 pages, 168 activities/curricula structures, delightful graphics & photos, & a resource section.

Genres: Education, Teaching, School

Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 200 pages are devoted primarily to some very basic and repetitive info about why collaborative learning is important and why this model for implementing collaborative learning is the best. It really seems like info that would be shared at the beginning of a professional development session to convince the participants that this will all be worth it.

The recommended process/sequence for rolling out collaborative learning activities is buried in there, but worth reading.

The second half of the book is a great resource for teachers, particularly for back-to-school planning. It includes 200 pages of collaborative learning activities with implementation instructions and post-activity reflection questions to ask students. All of the activities teach collaborative learning skills (like brainstorming, consensus making, constructive disagreement) or create opportunities for students to learn more about each other. There is even a matrix at the beginning of the section listing all of the activities and what they’re best used for.

There is a lot of talk throughout about how this instructional model promotes cultural literacy and inclusion. Some of the language around racial and cultural diversity used throughout the book is dated. The authors credit Indigenous peoples generally for providing models for inclusive and collaborative meeting processes. There is a note acknowledging that the use of the word tribes to describe temporary learning groups assigned by teachers is problematic, but also that they feel justified in keeping the name.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in the midst of re-reading this book again and decided to finally take the time to write a review on it. I love this book. It really shows a different type of "classroom management" which teaches children responsibility and respect and creates a safe community of learning. This project began as a way to help kids to "say no" to drugs and then eventually evolved into a guide for teachers creating a respectful learning environment for students. This will be my first year enacting this in my own classroom, but I have seen it in action in a friends classroom and the results were amazing. It teaches kids how to communicate, problem solve, and resolve conflicts together, skills which they will carry with them the rest of their lives.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the TRIBES approach to teaching. If you are looking for ways of integrating co-operative learning into your classroom their are many good ideas. What I liked about the TRIBES training that went with the book is that they recommend you implement as much or little of the program as you like. There are an overwhelming number of ideas in this book, and I keep going back to it as I move into different stages with my classes.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book. Tribes training is fantastic, but if you can't get to a workshop, reading this book will give you a great start to using Tribes in the classroom. I also recommend this book to people who do any kind of team building. Some of the activities would be fun for adults.

[Virginia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good supplement to the class; though certainly not pleasure-reading. I think the grid with energizers and inclusion strategies will be most helpful as I try to implement some of the Tribes principles in my classroom.

[Kelly Pulham · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I finally got to participate in the Tribes training. Spending time now going over the strategies and energizers to make curriculum connections, so I'll be more likely to remember to use them in the fall.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Kate has my copy. Good ideas but too tightly "packaged" for my liking. I prefer to use the same strategy built into my own activity tied to the lesson at hand.

[Bug · Rating 5 out of 5]

a MUST HAVE for teachers. Great strategies for class management by self-empowering the individual through activities and small groups. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a mind-opening way to lok at classroom interactions and the intentional community that can be created. Highly recommended.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its a good idea, but the authors are too full of themselves. Even ten chapters in, it seems like all they can say is how wonderful it is and nothing informative.