Mariellen Langworthy Retired school psychologist, Narragansett Mariellen Langworthy is the school psychologist at the Narragansett Pier Middle School. She recognizes that during the middle school years, a child’s personal identity takes on added importance. Mrs. Langworthy meets with the fifth and sixth grade classes and their teachers on a weekly basis. She starts each meeting with a community building exercise in which students and teachers participate. Teachers are thus able to weave the concepts learned at the meetings into their class curriculum.

Mrs. Langworthy uses an exercise called “The Opinion Line” to allow students to take risks and express their opinions in a safe, non-threatening environment. The exercise starts with a simple statement such as “I am a person who saves money” or “I am a person who spends money.” Students are asked to stand in a line according to the degree that they agree or disagree with the statement. This exercise prompts a discussion of difference and judgment of other’s opinions. Students then fold the line and discuss their opinion with those with differing opinions. This activity can also be used to review and prompt discussions about academic content.

“It is important in strong and safe communities that people can be themselves without worrying about being put down, teased, or left out.”

Mrs. Langworthy also uses “The Opinion Line” as a means for students to assess their level of anger about a specific incident or disagreement. Students move along the line of “calm” to “boiling mad” and offer explanations for why they chose that spot. Discussion questions focus on what about the situation made a student mad and how other students were able to remain calm.

“If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective in helping them become better than they are.”
- John Gardner