1. Step 1 of Five steps to avoid the school to prison pipeline
Participants of the circle arrange chairs/desks around the room in a circle shape. Throughout the discussion, each participate should speak one at a time. It is recommended to use a “talking piece object” during the discussion which is small and soft enough to through. Only the person who has the talking piece in his/her hand should be speaking. Once they have finished speaking, the talking piece should be given to the next person that would like to speak. This is to help develop a since of order and respect for one another as each person shares their input.
A Restorative circle conversation
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

2. Step 1: Become more involved in your own education
Read page 7 and 8. click next slide to begin page 8 “Food for thought” questions
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

3. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
In this story, do you believe that immediate suspension was a fair punishment? If not, what in your opinion would have been a fairer consequence?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

4. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Do you believe that Jaleesa or the teacher could have done anything differently in this situation that could have prevented Jaleesa from being suspended? If yes, what?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

5. Read Ms. Smith’s efforts
Page click next slide to begin “Food for thought” questions
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

6. How would you feel if you were ms. Smith?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

7. Do you think that ms. Smith is a lazy teacher? Why or why not?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

8. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
How would you handle behavior problems in this classroom if you were ms. Smith?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

9. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Now answer this question again to see if your response has changed.
do you believe that immediate suspension was a fair punishment? Why or why not?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

10. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Now answer this question again to see if your response has changed.
Do you believe that Jaleesa or the teacher could have done anything differently in this situation that could have prevented Jaleesa from being suspended? If yes, what?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

11. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Did your answer change any to either of the previous questions? If your answer changed, what do you believe caused it to change?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

12. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
What are some of the most common reasons that students are suspended at your school?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

13. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Do you believe that suspension is the best form of punishment for the reasons you listed in the previous question? If no, explain?
Read short paragraph on page 11, directly underneath this question then click to next slide.
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

14. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Have you ever been suspended or know someone who has? Think about how the time away from school was spent. What types of things did they or you do when not in school?
Read short paragraph on page 11, directly underneath this question then click to next slide.
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

15. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Do you believe that being suspended helps to make students feel bad or remorseful about what they have done? Why or why not?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

16. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Do you think that excessive suspensions can lead to prison later in life? Why or why not?
Read Quick Tip (page 12) then click to go to next slide.
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

17. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Can you think of any other ways that you can avoid being suspended from school?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

18. Read “outdated textbooks and technology” Principal Duncan’s dilemma
Page 12. After reading the first paragraph under food for thought, click to go to next slide.
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

19. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Is there anything you believe that a student or ms. Smith can do to help add to the classroom learning experience? explain.
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

20. Read Robert’s favorite & least favorite classes
Page 13. After reading the first two paragraphs under food for thought, click to go to next slide.
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

21. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Have you ever found a cool educational classroom game/activity online that can be used in class? If yes, did you share it with anyone? Why or why not?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

22. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
If you answered no to the previous question, have you ever looked for an educational classroom game/activity online? Why or why not?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

23. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Do you feel that you should not have to look because you believe that this is the teacher’s job and not yours? Why or why not?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

24. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Why do you think Robert did not like ms. Schilbert’s class as much as Mr. vondrasek’s?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

25. Read ms. Smith’s bright idea
Page 14. click next slide to begin “Food for thought” questions
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

26. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Why do you believe that ms. Smith’s attempt at using this game for her class did not go well?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

27. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Whose idea was it to play a jeopardy game and who chose the questions for the game?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

28. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Why do you believe that Jaleesa got upset when she could not answer the question?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

29. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Why do you believe the whole class lost interest in playing the game after Jaleesa’s statement?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

30. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
What suggestions would you have given to ms. Smith that would have made the game more fun and engaging for the students?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

31. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Do you feel like it is helpful for students to have some input when it comes to classroom learning activities? Why or why not?
Read paragraphs and Quick Tip directly underneath this question (page 16) then click to next slide.
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

32. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Have you ever acted like Jaleesa in school with any situation? Please explain.
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

33. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Would you say that there is room for improvement in the type of student that you are? What are some specific ways that you can improve?
Read short paragraph and box text directly underneath this question (page 17) then click to next slide.
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

34. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Read letter
Page 18
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

35. Read “Overcrowded classrooms” front of the class
Page After reading the first paragraph under “food for thought” click to go to next slide.
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

36. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Why do you believe ms. Smith did not spend more time trying to get the entire class’s attention so that they could all participate in the learning?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

37. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
What would you have done if you were ms. Smith to hold the attention of 46 tenth grade students in one classroom for an entire hour?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

38. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Think about what some of your friends (or you) talk about during class while the teacher is trying to teach. Now explain how the topic of these conversations will help you prepare for subjects taught in college?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

39. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
How do you think your experience will be in a college English class if you never take advantage of learning the basic English lessons in middle or high school?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

40. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Read the quick tip
Page 20. click to next slide.
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

41. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Have you ever heard the quote, “show me your friends and I will show you your future”? What do you think this quote means and in what ways do you think it might apply to you?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

42. Are you a leader or a follower?
Read short paragraph directly underneath this question (page 21) then click to next slide.
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

43. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Why is it important to have positive friends, especially if you are a follower?
Read short paragraph directly underneath this question (page 21) then click to next slide.
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

44. Read “Robert and Jaleesa go to college”
Page click next slide to begin “Food for thought” questions
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

45. Why do you believe that Robert was successful in college?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

46. Why do you believe Jaleesa was not as successful in college as Robert?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

47. Why do you believe no one wanted Jaleesa in their group?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

48. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
What do you believe Jaleesa did next after dropping out of college? What would you have done next?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

49. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
What could Jaleesa have done differently in high school that might have made college life easier for her?
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook

50. Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook
Your take away
Considering all of the discussions from Step 1, is there any situation in your own life that you can use to relate to the discussions in this step? Please explain.
Five Steps to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline Workbook