The Power of Circles in the Classroom Presented by The Crawford High School Academy Of Law & Justice

Community Building vs. Restorative Circles Community Building are used for… Getting to know each other Building empathy and classroom community Giving students a voice in the classroom Identifying strengths/weaknesses in content knowledge Restorative Circles are used for… Addressing classroom behavior / conflicts Discussing controversial or traumatic events that have affected the school / community / nation / world *Conferences typically precede circles

Community Building Circles

Creating a Restorative Culture Academy teachers use circles regularly in the classroom 12th Graders facilitate circles with 9th, 10th and 11th graders… 11th Graders are trained in facilitating circles in their Law class by staff from the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) 12th graders mentor 11th graders 11th and 12th graders facilitate circles across the campus for non- Academy classes Support from NCRC English Department has been trained in facilitating community building circles; Law Academy students help co-facilitate. Law Academy students mentor 7th and 8th grade students from Mann Middle School;

Students Speak

Tips for Facilitating Circles Establish norms for circle conduct; Use a talking piece and/or a center piece; The shape of the circle matters; It’s helpful to start with an ice breaker; The Way the Wind Blows Begin with a low risk, “check-in” question; Highs and Lows Work up to more intense /revealing questions; Teachers should always answer the questions too!

Common Circle Norms Speak and Listen from the Heart Be Present Share your authentic thoughts and feelings Be Present Practice active listening Speak Leanly Don’t monopolize the circle Respect the Talking Piece The person with the Talking Piece is the only one speaking Confidentiality What’s said in the circle, stays in the circle

Structure of a Circle Opening Activity Ice Breaker Quote, music, chime, controlled breathing, personal reading Ice Breaker Establish / Review Circle Norms Guiding Questions Low Risk “Check-In” Question Medium Risk Question High Risk Question Reflection Circle Facilitator summarizes circle and offer opportunity for participants to reflect Closing

Role of the Circle Facilitator Create a Safe Space Explain Circle Norms Invite participants to comment on or add to norms Establish the Tone for the Circle Explain the Talking Piece / Center Piece Explain Purpose of Circle Pose the Guiding Questions Always answer first Summarize At the end of each round of questions Closing summary / moment of inspiration

Affective Questions for Restorative Conferences and Circles When an Individual Has Caused Harm to the Community: What happened? What were you thinking at the time? What have you thought about since? Who has been affected by what you have done? In what way have they been affected? What do you think you need to do to make things right?

Affective Questions for Restorative Conferences and Circles For those Affected by the Harm; What did you think when you realized what had happened? What impact has the incident had on you and others? What has been the hardest thing for you? What do you think needs to happen to make things right?

Circles…