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Taiwa no FumenPractical methods for shared thinking

English edition: the full translation has not yet received an independent line-by-line review. Check the linked sources and method-specific limits before use. Japanese PDFs and videos remain labelled.

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Schools, education and youth participation

Design a School-Community Action

Bring together school, community and parent or guardian perspectives and select collaborative activities that can be trialled.

People
12–16
Session time
225 minutes
Format
In person

English session plan

Original program status: draft. Source safety category: Medium; this is not a guarantee of safety.

Preparation: High preparation. Facilitation team: Four roles, including an experienced facilitator.

What this session can decide

Propose small activities and potential responsible people. Check the school’s formal decision, pupils’ or students’ participation consent and use of personal information separately.

Outside its scope

  • Do not let adults alone speak for pupils’ or students’ wishes.
  • Do not link participation to grades or evaluation.
  • Do not omit school rules or safety procedures.

Primary caution: Do not let adults alone speak for pupils’ or students’ wishes.

Before starting

Question and scope
Bring together school, community and parent or guardian perspectives and select collaborative activities that can be trialled. Before the session starts, state the subject and period to be covered in one sentence.
What is decided here
Propose small activities and potential responsible people. Check the school’s formal decision, pupils’ or students’ participation consent and use of personal information separately.
Output recipient
At the end, the Recorder retains “Minimum actions with responsible people and deadlines”. Advance the checks needed before formal decisions.
Participation and information boundaries
Explain that people may pass, rest or leave, and keep personal information, confidential information and judgements about attributes off the recording surface. Assign Participant support separately.
Operating team
Assign the Lead facilitator, Recorder, Timekeeper and Participant support before starting, and confirm who announces transitions and stops.
Next check
Decide the review date for “Minimum actions with responsible people and deadlines”, who may view it and who is responsible for the next decision.

Who takes responsibility

Lead facilitator

Keep “Design a School-Community Action” within its purpose and stated exclusions, and announce the start and end of each stage.

From before the start until the session ends.

Recorder

Record “Expectations, concerns and resources by stakeholder”, “Activity proposals and conditions from each table”, “Minimum actions with responsible people and deadlines” at each stage and hand the records to their recipients at the end.

From preparation of recording surfaces before the start through storage after the session.

Timekeeper

Notify the Lead facilitator 3 minutes before each stage ends and when switching to breaks or buffer time.

At the start of every stage and 3 minutes before its end.

Participant support

Receive requests to pass, rest, leave or check individually, and decide with the Lead facilitator whether resumption is possible.

From before the start until the session ends.

Session flow

Minutes are measured from the session start. Method time, transition time, breaks and buffer are shown separately; they are not additional overlapping activities.

  1. 0–63 minutes

    Align school and community understandings of the issues

    Method: School and Community Deliberation · 0–60 minutes. Transition: 60–63 minutes (3 minutes).

    Write expectations, concerns and available resources from school, community, parent or guardian, and pupil or student perspectives. Explicitly label views attributed to absent groups as assumptions and specify how to check them.

    Responsible: Lead facilitator; Recorder; Participant support

    Output: Expectations, concerns and resources by stakeholder

    Handoff: Pass the question and conditions to the stage that develops activity proposals through multiple questions.

    This stage may be shortened only in accordance with the stated conditions.

  2. 63–156 minutes

    Develop activity proposals through multiple questions

    Method: Rotating Table Dialogue · 63–153 minutes. Transition: 153–156 minutes (3 minutes).

    Assign questions about purpose, safety, participation methods and community resources to tables. Participants move between tables, read previous records and add specific proposals and cautions.

    Responsible: Lead facilitator; Recorder; Participant support

    Output: Activity proposals and conditions from each table

    Handoff: Pass actions that can be tested within existing authority to Smallest Commitment Chain.

    This stage is not marked as shortenable.

  3. 166–194 minutes

    Choose the first checking action

    Method: Smallest Commitment Chain · 166–191 minutes. Transition: 191–194 minutes (3 minutes).

    Select one checking action that can be taken before additional budget or formal approval. Record the person responsible, deadline, person to consult and evidence of completion.

    Responsible: Lead facilitator; Recorder; Participant support

    Output: Minimum actions with responsible people and deadlines

    Handoff: Pass the activity proposals, cautions and minimum actions to the people responsible in the school and community.

    This stage is not marked as shortenable.

What is retained and who receives it

Expectations, concerns and resources by stakeholder

Owner: Recorder

Clarify the conditions collaborative activities must meet.

Activity proposals and conditions from each table

Owner: Recorder

Create proposals with additions from different perspectives.

Minimum actions with responsible people and deadlines

Owner: Recorder

Advance the checks needed before formal decisions.

Materials and setup

Material names, quantities, groups and handling instructions retain the fixed draft's original helper-derived guidance. Where a format is marked “Source material specification”, the entire bound English source material entry takes precedence over the old helper-derived format guidance. This format-only correction does not resolve other instruction or safety concerns. English names are not substituted into a Japanese-keyed lookup.

Everyday tools

Sticky notes separating opinions, evidence, roles and matters to check

Quantity: 3 of each type per person

Format: Sticky notes around 75 × 75 mm, or A4 copy paper cut into four pieces.

Write one of “Opinion”, “Evidence”, “Role” or “To check” at the top of each sticky note or paper slip. There is no need to obtain four colours; distinguish them with written headings even if the paper is the same colour. Prepare three of each type per person.

Broad-tip pens

Quantity: 2 per group

Format: Dark broad-tip pens or whiteboard markers

Check that the ink flows and place the pens where participants can reach them. Avoid pale-coloured pens.

Broad-tip pens

Quantity: 3 per table

Format: Dark broad-tip pens or whiteboard markers

Check that the ink flows and place the pens where participants can reach them. Avoid pale-coloured pens.

Linking tape

Quantity: 1 roll per group

Format: Low-tack masking tape

Check that it can be removed from an inconspicuous place on the floor or wall. Keep the edges flat and do not block walkways.

Dark writing tools

Quantity: 1 per person

Format: Dark broad-tip pens or whiteboard markers

Check that the ink flows and place the pens where participants can reach them. Avoid pale-coloured pens.

Sheets to prepare by hand

Shared surface for retaining possible proposals and next checks

Quantity: 1 sheet per group

Format: Large-format paper or a whiteboard

Divide the working surface into 4 fields: “Possible proposals”, “Evidence”, “Matters to check with absent people” and “Next dialogue date and perspectives participating”. Write each heading in words rather than relying on colour alone.

Cards for choosing how to participate

Quantity: 1 set per person

Format: 4 paper slips made by cutting A4 copy paper into quarters

Write “Speak”, “Respond with a drawing”, “Submit anonymously” and “Do not answer this time” on one card each, making one set per person. Place them where each person can select their preferred method.

Common question for every table

Quantity: 1 sheet per table

Format: A4 copy paper

Write the same question for all tables in one large, clearly visible sentence. Do not include leading examples or proper names; add the table number at the top right.

Self-made table paper using no source diagrams

Quantity: 1 sheet per table

Format: Two A4 sheets placed side by side. Join them with masking tape if a larger surface is needed.

Write “Self-made table paper using no source diagrams” at the top. Leave enough space to arrange sticky notes or paper slips without overlap, and use lettering that can be read from a distance during whole-group sharing.

Cards for choosing how to participate

Quantity: 1 set per person

Format: 5 paper slips cut from A4 copy paper

Write “Move between tables”, “Remain in one place”, “Speak”, “Respond with a drawing” and “Skip this activity” on one card each, making one set per person.

Action cards

Quantity: 4 per person

Format: Source material specification: 4 action cards per person, approximately A6 size

Source-bound format display correction; the other fixed helper-derived guidance is unchanged.

Do not buy special-purpose materials. Write “Action” at the top of each paper piece. If participants will write on it, use one item per piece and handwrite the required headings before starting.

Display paper for arranging the chain

Quantity: 1 per group

Format: Source material specification: One display sheet per group for arranging the chain, approximately A2 size

Source-bound format display correction; the other fixed helper-derived guidance is unchanged.

Write “Display paper for arranging the chain” at the top. Leave enough space to arrange sticky notes or paper slips without overlap, and use lettering that can be read from a distance during whole-group sharing.

Information to gather before the session

Background materials recording source dates and unconfirmed points

Quantity: 1 copy per person

Format: A4 copy paper or digital viewing data with the same content

State the content, preparation date and person who checked it. If distributing it, also provide a large-print version or digital viewing data with the same content.

Guide to the day’s safety arrangements and handling of records

Quantity: 1 for the whole group

Format: A4 copy paper or digital viewing data with the same content

Use words understandable to a first-time reader to describe the “Person responsible for safety”, “Backup person”, “Contact for the day”, “To whom records will be passed and to what extent” and “Consultation service”. Add the preparation date, person who checked it and contact for questions. If distributing it, provide the same content in large print or a viewable digital version.

Materials chosen for the session conditions

Personal note and envelope for keeping sensitive information off the shared surface

Quantity: 1 sheet and 1 envelope per person

Format: 1 sheet of A4 copy paper and 1 opaque envelope already available

Give each person one blank note sheet. Do not write personal names or content on the envelope. Let each person choose whether to take it home or hand it over sealed to a named staff member.

Setup for each method

School and Community Deliberation

  1. Display the reason for holding the session, participating perspectives, background source dates, matters not decided here and the school’s consultation/safety procedures.
  2. Display that sensitive information must not be written on shared surfaces. Use only one dedicated note per person, with the person choosing to take it home or hand it in an envelope to one responsible person named by the school.
  3. Display that paper mistakenly written on shared surfaces is immediately collected and shredded, with connection to the school’s consultation/safety procedures.

Rotating Table Dialogue

  1. Display the question, confidentiality scope, movement order for three rounds, stationary participation, passing and record readers.
  2. Do not put sensitive information on shared table sheets. Display that each person uses only one dedicated note and chooses whether to take it home or hand it in an envelope to one named responsible person.
  3. Display the safety lead and backup, same-day contact method, record recipients and handover scope, and the procedure for collecting and shredding paper mistakenly written on a shared surface.

Smallest Commitment Chain

  1. One island table per group of 2–4, seated facing each other; 1–4 tables within the supported participant range
  2. One wall or table surface per group where action cards can be placed in a horizontal line

When to switch or stop

Fallbacks

There are more than 10 issues.

Limit the work to 3 issues directly connected to pupils’ or students’ learning and safety.

Method guide: School and Community Deliberation

Stop conditions

Matters concerning pupils’ or students’ safety, consent or personal information remain unconfirmed.
Stop the implementation decision and refer the matter to the school’s formal procedure.
Choosing not to participate leads to disadvantage or evaluation.
Stop designing recruitment and check voluntariness and alternative means.

Sources, rights and limits

This site has composed this programme’s purpose, method sequence, delivery instructions, roles, outputs and switching conditions. See each individual method page for that method’s sources and licences.

Original source records and their required notices are retained below. Their presence does not mean a new legal or cultural-safety clearance. Original citation titles are kept in their source language.

Sources and required notices for the 3 methods used

School and Community Deliberation

  • Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, “Guide to Establishing School Management Councils”: p.10, example deliberation sequence (about 60 minutes) | https://manabi-mirai.mext.go.jp/upload/tukurikataR2.10.pdf | JP-STD-2.0 adaptation; changes made
  • Source: Conditions for applying JP-STD-2.0 | https://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/1351168.htm | JP-STD-2.0
  • Attribution: Taiwa no Fumen Editorial Team | This site’s text and illustrations
  • Cultural caution: This manifest contains no structured cultural-safety assessment. Human checks are required for context, opting out of participation and power differences.
  • Limits of this record: Only the notices displayed in the public YAML were transcribed. This does not assert that no individual rights exist.

Rotating Table Dialogue

  • Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, “Practical Guide to Gender Equality World Café”: PDF part 1 World Cafe basics | https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/ikusei/kyoudou/detail/1367502.htm | CC-BY-2.1-JP adaptation; changes made
  • Source: Conditions for applying CC-BY-2.1-JP | https://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/1351168.htm | CC-BY-2.1-JP
  • Attribution: Taiwa no Fumen Editorial Team | This site’s text and illustrations
  • Cultural caution: This manifest contains no structured cultural-safety assessment. Human checks are required for context, opting out of participation and power differences.
  • Limits of this record: Only the notices displayed in the public YAML were transcribed. This does not assert that no individual rights exist.

Smallest Commitment Chain

  • 対話の譜面編集部: 最小約束の連鎖 — Original description and diagrams
  • Source: Taiwa no Fumen Editorial Team: Smallest Commitment Chain | Original description and diagrams
  • Attribution: Taiwa no Fumen Editorial Team | This site’s text and illustrations
  • Cultural caution: open-method screening complete: Closed, ritual or sacred cultural practices are not used as sources; opting out, sensitive information and power differences are addressed in each method’s limits and branches.
  • Limits of this record: The editorial team independently created the text, procedures and diagrams. It claims no exclusive rights over general dialogue operations or ideas themselves.

Historical fixed-draft notes

The original fixed draft notes are retained without deletion as historical records of those fixed source versions. Current material format corrections are separately identified above; these notes do not imply that other concerns have been resolved.

  • The fixed sourceRaw for preparedMaterials.11 specifies A6, while the frozen helper-produced formats offer approximately 75×75 mm sticky notes or quartered A4 paper. The coordinator's separate material-sizing investigation remains pending. These source representations and their translations are retained without correction or a claim that these sizes are equivalent.

Japanese resources and historical source records

Original Japanese plan and its print view · Japanese operation pack or starter materials

An English print edition is not provided here. The linked plans, print views and operation materials are Japanese resources.

Historical recorded publication holds

The following original hold statements are retained verbatim with their fixed source versions. They are not a statement of current acceptance, nor does this historical label resolve a source-specific restriction.

  • English translation and rendered-page independent acceptance pending
  • Method dependency source/text SHA binding and current source-specific rights verification pending
  • Publication not cleared
Historical fixed-source and English-draft provenance

Japanese program SHA-256: da23a2c52704863b222abcafa809747a373ea9e19b6d0cd9165c632956643cee

Fixed source context SHA-256: a695ce0d92f42d59a05ef2e7e8eaacf20055544fe55c1961362e198991f294e4

English draft SHA-256: 90ee636d814f51dc226edeaf9325103475fedc324c897aef6719ea186d347447

  • mext-rotating-table-dialogue: source 1b509a37f23157ca77584be8ea01aef2b6fda918f181a84e4b9ede5a63fed921; English draft 89fe90e2bf312897e0f7fa1bbb6bd44ed904fa0a18be3079eccb016a3a1c42fb
  • mext-school-community-deliberation: source 84869ef1210034a78c8e18afba5a36e993a33c028fe99c08da5ba7228e0c59fe; English draft f01b2261931e676b84676828d0f671e05770e4746d81f303d5618619e8039d88
  • smallest-commitment: source 6aa6b6e44bd742b0216e576184f782933206f19fb399ec02574d88fc796c9b0e; English draft 5d1abc24e40880d84e1848f158d9e85086dfc6639d17bc3d261c8c423f868105

These hashes identify the checked inputs; they do not grant independent acceptance or publication clearance.