Leader of the pack
Each pack has two leaders, the alpha male and his mate the alpha female. These two wolves are the most powerful wolves in the pack. If you have a line leader or special class helper, you might want to call them pack leader.
One way to select the leader of the pack is to write the names of the children on note cards and put them in a pile. After one child has been pack leader, remove that child’s card from the pile. Continue this rotation until you have gone through the entire stack of name cards and each child has been the leader once. Using the note cards is also a good way to select children in other classroom situations, such as for class assignments or answering questions, etc. Let the children see that you are fair and that you don’t play favorites.
Some children may not want to be singled out as the leader. Accept their decision, praise their efforts, and select another. It’s best to let shy children gradually assume leadership roles throughout the year as they become more comfortable in different situations.
howling sessions
Contrary to popular belief, wolves do not howl at the moon! But they howl for many other reasons: to unite the pack, to find themselves in strange territory, to send messages, to warn of danger, to announce a successful hunt, or just for fun!
Howl sessions are short classroom gatherings where you and your class come together like a greeting ceremony to “howl” about a super behavior or class accomplishment. You can yell about a child who has been doing an excellent job or praise the whole class for excellent listening at an assembly. Members of the class group are also encouraged to shout about each other’s accomplishments: a friend’s excellent pitch at a baseball game, a great performance at a piano recital, or an act of kindness at recess. Have howling sessions whenever you want and watch for self-esteem, pride, and consider “howling” behaviors in your entire class.
Go hunting/Make tracks
The survival of a pack of wolves depends on its progress in hunting. After your class has learned that wolves are hunters, explain how to “go hunting.”
Going on a hunt is a way to monitor and reward positive behaviors throughout the class. After determining the desired behavior or attitude, tell the boys that they are going hunting . . . calm hands, following directions, picking up walking – not running – in the classroom, etc. Going hunting helps boys become more responsible for making good decisions by following the Rules of the Pack.
Monitor progress toward the hunt goal with a Making Tracks graph. Making clues is something wolves do every day. It is not uncommon for them to cover 40 to 60 miles per day while foraging for food. In your classroom, use Making Tracks for visual reinforcement. On a bulletin board or poster, display the clues to the target behavior or attitude. The “Making Clues” caption can also be used when making academic or behavioral awards: Congratulations, you’re making clues! Great job with . . . managing your time well, being ready on time, walking in the hall, etc. You can create Making Tracks charts for the whole class or notes for different groups of children working on various academic or behavioral goals.