Restorative Circles

Learning Activity

Restorative Circles allow for students to speak and listen in an atmosphere of safety and equality.  They can be used proactively to develop relationships and build community or responsively to respond to wrongdoing, conflicts, and problems. 

After reviewing the videos, how do you think you can incorporate restorative circles in your daily routine to build community, establish classroom expectations, help with classroom management or respond to peer conflict?

Resources

The below video shows how students at MetWest High School, a public school in Oakland, California, facilitate a community-building circle in their classroom.

This video from Glenview Elementary School shows how circles can be used within the classroom to build collaboration and respect, and promote positive behavior with students. 

This video provides insight from the perspective of students at Alexandria City Public Schools on the impact of restorative circles on the school environment.

This video shows how to use a circle to welcome a student back (for re-entry) upon an absence (in this case an incarceration).