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

2. 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

3. Community Building Circles

4. 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;

5. Students Speak

6. 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!

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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?

11. 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?

12. Circles…