Restorative Circles in Schools: Building Community and Enhancing Learning

Restorative Circles in Schools: Building Community and Enhancing Learning is a practical guide to the use of circles in schools and other settings, as well as an in-depth exploration of circle processes. The book includes numerous stories about the way circles have been used in many diverse situations, discussion on the use of proactive, responsive and staff circles, and an overview of restorative practices, with particular emphasis on its relationship to circle processes. Contents: 1. Two Stories 2. Restorative Practices Circles, Restorative Justice and the IIRP Social Discipline Window The Restorative Questions Restorative Practices Continuum Fair Process Psychology of Affect A Note About Ritual 3. Proactive Circles Why Circles? Getting Started with Circles Types of Circles Talking Pieces Check-in and Check-out Integrating Circles with Course Content Behavioral Expectations Games Other Proactive Circles Three More Points 4. Responsive Circles Something Happened in Class Singling Out Students Patterns of Behavior On the Bus The Baggage We Carry Dangerous Situations Deaths Why Do Circles Work? Reacting to Something Good That Happened Restorative Punishment? Formal Restorative Conferences 5. Staff Circles Using Circles to Learn About Circles Staff Meetings Using Circles Conflicts with Teachers Toxic Environments Schools with Residential Facilities Unintended Consequences Circles with Administrators Community Circles and Other Possibilities Afterword References Resources Join the IIRP’s Restorative Practices eForum About the IIRP About the Authors