Unit 1: Introduction to Classroom Circles

Unit 1 Overview

In this unit, participants will gain a foundational understanding of classroom circles and their importance in building positive relationships and community. Participants will reflect on their own learning experiences while exploring the purpose, benefits, and historical roots of circles as a restorative practice. They will learn the components that are necessary for successfully implementing classroom circles.

The lessons are as follows:

Lesson 1: Purpose and Benefits of Classroom Circles

Lesson 2: Procedures of Classroom Circles

Lesson 1: Purpose and Benefits of Classroom Circles

Before you begin this lesson,

Question to Consider: Reflect on your own experience with participation in school. Did you feel like the classroom was a safe and supportive space to share your thoughts and ideas?

Directions: Post your reflection to this question on the discussion board on PADLET (https://padlet. com/travereileen/reflect-on-your-own-experience-with-participation-in-school--rgl8rr7gou38pbev) and be sure to read through others’ responses.

What are Classroom Circles?

Classroom circles are a restorative dialogue process that promote inclusion and collaboration among students and educators. These structured discussions serve as a means to building community, resolving conflicts, and enhancing academic discussions. Circles are a tool to build connection and emotional safety in the classroom.

Origins of classroom circles:

Circles originate from Indigenous cultures around the world, including First Nations and Maori communities. These “talking circles” or gatherings allowed for collective decision making and conflict resolution. One of the most prominent features of these circles is the talking piece used throughout it. The talking piece ensured that there would be uninterrupted and respectful communication.

In modern day, circles are a component of restorative justice practices. Restorative justice is an alternative to using punishment as a management strategy. Instead, conflicts are addressed through a focus of accountability and reconciliation. The approach of using restorative or classroom circles has gained recognition in modern education and continues to be widely used.

Benefits of Classroom Circles:

Fosters sense of community: circles create an environment where teachers and students are able to share their ideas without judgement.

Every person who participates in a circle has the opportunity to speak when it is their turn with the talking piece. Students are able to learn about their classmates and teachers through respectful conversation which strengthens classroom culture and builds trust

Promote Critical Thinking: through discussions and reflection, circles encourage deeper understanding of the content or focus of the circle.

Conflict Resolution: circles help mediate conflict and teach accountability when issues arise. They can also be used proactively by addressing issues in a collaborative setting to minimize conflicts and reduce disruptions.

Improve Emotional Safety and Increase Empathy: circles allow students to feel valued when sharing their ideas in a safe and structured environment. When students are able to share their thoughts and hear others’ perspectives, it can reduce bias and foster compassion.

Directions: Read this article to learn more about the benefits and purpose of Classroom Circles

• Community Circles Build Restorative School Cultures (https://ascd.org/el/articles/community-circl es-build-restorative-school-cultures)

Respond to these two discussion questions after reading the article. Post your response on

1. Reflect on the importance of community circles as discussed in the article. How do these circles contribute to fostering a positive classroom culture?

1. Discuss the relationship between restorative practices and building positive relationships among students. Why is it crucial to focus on proactive strategies before addressing conflicts?

Before moving on to Lesson 2, watch this video on Circles in the classroom. While watching, think about the impact circles have on strengthening relationships and how they might promote empathy among students.

Restorative Practices: Classroom Circles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR8xcFuckEM)

Lesson 2: Procedures of Classroom Circles

This lesson will dive into the procedures of classroom circles, emphasizing their role in promoting respect and building community. Participants will learn the importance of components such as opening and closing ceremonies, seating arrangements, and the talking piece -and how they ensure effective and meaningful discussions.

What are the Essential Elements of a Classroom Circle?

1. Opening Ceremony: marks the beginning of the circle and establishes it as a meaningful and intentional space. Having a clear beginning of the circle allows participants to center themselves and be fully present in the discussions. This can be a welcoming statement, a poem or quote, or even a short meditation to set a positive and focused tone for the circle.
2. Talking Piece- regulates communication by ensuring that only one person speaks at a time. The talking piece can be any object and is introduced after the opening of the circle. This object is passed around the circle in one direction and participants listen as the person with the talking piece is the sole speaker. Participation is always voluntary, any member of the circle is allowed to pass if they prefer not to share. As your class becomes more familiar with circles, those students may start to feel more comfortable and choose to participate.
3. Circle Guidelines: it is necessary to have rules that all participants understand and can follow. It can be beneficial to the circle when students help create the rules that they will follow during each circle. Guidelines should be straightforward and not overwhelming. Here are some examples that could be implemented into a circle:
   1. Respect the talking piece, everyone listens, everyone has a turn Speak and listen from the heart
   2. No judgements, “don’t yuck someone’s yum”, no put downs (words, comments, faces). (there are plenty of way to address this rule)
   3. Everything stays in the circle Once guidelines are established, all participants will hold each other accountable, it will directly affect the success of the circle. These rules can be written on a poster and visible during every circle.
   4. Centerpiece: an object for the middle of the circle that will represent the focus of the discussion topic. This object “gives the circle a heart” and displays the values and themes of the circle. Centerpieces can be collectively built over time, adding more objects to represent the individuals in the group.
   5. Check-in: is a brief activity at the start of a circle that allows participants to share how they are feeling. Check-ins build connections and encourage students to participate. The circle leader shares a prompt that can usually be answered quickly by all participants (if they choose to share) and the talking piece will go once around the circle. Check in questions also allow the facilitator to gauge the group’s emotional state before beginning the circle. Examples of Check In prompts: “Share one word to describe how you are feeling today.” “If you had to choose one type of weather to describe your mood, what would it be?” “What color represents how you are feeling right now?
   6. Icebreaker: this is a low pressure activity or question that is used to make participants feel comfortable and encourage engagement. It sets a positive tone for the circle and helps create an inclusive and safe environment. This is a very valuable feature, especially in the early stages of introducing circles as they are fun and engaging and help students feel more comfortable. Examples of Icebreakers for Classroom Circles: Games: Two truths and a lie Question: “If you could have any superpower what would it be?”
   7. Discussion (we will address circle discussions more deeply in Units 3 and 4): this is the main focus of the circle. The facilitator of the circle will have thought provoking questions for participants to reflect on and answer. These questions should carry meaning and invite participants to speak from the heart and their own experience.
   8. Closing ceremony: acknowledges the efforts of the circle and gives everyone a chance to reflect on the conversations that were had. The facilitator will say a closing statement or share a positive thought to mark the closing of the circle. This is also the time when the group will transition out of the circle.

Now that you have read through the elements of a classroom circle, watch this video to learn more about the objects of a circle: The talking piece and the centerpiece: What are Talking and Center Pieces? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=hqf4NwXmqpc)

Question to Think About: In your notes, write down one or two objects that you might include as a centerpiece. Why did you choose these objects?

After completing the reading and video for Lesson 2:

Design a rough outline of a classroom circle. Create your own classroom guidelines, a check-in question and icebreaker activity to practice the set up of a circle. Use the examples in the overview to help organize your ideas.

Congratulations! You have completed Unit 1. Click here to advance to Unit 2: Developing Safe and Inclusive Circle Spaces