First Classroom Circle - Community Building!

On September 15th, I facilitated our first official classroom circle of the school year.  

I told students about us being in Circle all week and warned them that when they came into class on Friday, things would look different.

As they walked in, you could tell they were a bit freaked out just by watching their body language and facial expressions.

For each class, the first thing I did was explain to them "the point" of us being in Circle and what I hoped they would gain from the experience individually as well as collectively.   

We immediately began working on understanding the talking piece (stuffed fox) and establishing our values.   

Each student had a clipboard and something to write with and on.   I teach high school special ed and I wanted my students to be able to jot down any thoughts they may wish to share while actively listening and respecting the speaker as well as the talking piece.   

At the beginning of class, I had students write down the time and a few words/phrases as to how they were feeling.   After we closed Circle, I had students write down the time again and new words on what they were feeling.  

Here are some of the responses I received:

Student A:   

Start:  I am nervous.     

Finish:   I feel happy after being in Circle.  

Student B:  

Start:  I am tired and confused.      

Finish:   I really liked Circle.  I know it was a part of class but it did not feel like work.  I feel like we know each other more now.

Student C:  

Start:  This is making me nervous.    

Finish:   I liked the Circle.  I feel more comfortable.

Student D:  

Start:  This is weird.  I feel weird.

Finish:  I liked the circle.  It made me feel good about myself.

Student E:

Start:  This is different.  This is weird.  Not gonna lie, feel kinda scared.

Finish:  I really liked Circle and I think we should do it more.

Student F:

Start:   I feel bored and like this is going to be stupid.

Finish:  I loved this.  I feel more respected after Circle.   When are we going to do this again?

Student G:

Start:   No offense Miss G, but you are a crazy white lady.   What are we doing?   This is weird.  

Finish: OK.   Sorry Miss G.    This was really cool.   I feel really good but also it made me hungry.  

Student H:

Start: I feel uncomfortable, I want to go home.  

Finish: OK, this was cool.   I feel better.   This was fun and funny.   I had fun.   I didn't know my classmates were so interesting.   It was nice to hear what other people had to say.   

Student I:

Start:  I am so confused and I do not want to be bored.

Finish:  I was not bored at all.   This was fun.

Student J:

Start:  This is weird.

Finish:  I felt really good.  Especially at the end.   I was so happy to hear what other people had to say.  I was so happy to have people listen to me.

Student K:

Start:  I'm excited for this.

Finish:  In my genuine opinion, from the start of this period, I knew this was going to be fun.   I loved it.

Student L:

Start:  I feel sad.   I don't want to do this.

Finish:  I feel a little better.   Actually, I liked it.   I need help with my mood sometimes.   

Student M:

Start:  I'm confused.

Finish:  I feel so much better than I did all day.

Student N:

Start:   Stressed.   Why do math teachers cause so much stress?   I am tired.  I am sore.  I am confused.

Finish:   This was so much fun!

Student O:

Start:  Angry.

Finish:  Comfortable.   I want to do this again.   I feel good now and I feel like I know everyone's likes and dislikes now.

Student P:

Start:  I feel curious.

Finish:  Having conversations in a Circle seemed better than at normal seating.   I feel relaxed.

Student Q:

Start:  Curious.  Eager

Finish:  I would love to do it again!   I liked talking to everyone and I can't wait for next time.

Today there were at least 2 or 3 kids in each class that asked when we were going to be in Circle again.   

I'm optimistic!

Loads of Links on RJE/RP/Circle Processes

Full transparency:   Sometimes I lose my Internet favorites, or do some sort of I-Don't-Know-What with my laptop and I lose a link.   It happens.   BUT... if you are interested in learning more about Restorative Justice in Education, Restorative Processes, and Circle Processes - feel free to figure out a way to save my blog for these resources and more!

This past summer, I did A LOT of reading and work for my grad class through EMU called Facilitating Circle Processes.

This class may have been A LOT of information and quite time-consuming, but it was SO WORTH it.  I can't say this enough - I am SO glad I did NOT let my anxiety WIN!   I was truly on the fence on taking the course or not, and while I lost a lot of pool time, I gained so much more.   

Our class was organized into "Themes" and there was a significant amount of reading in addition to video watching.  NOT all videos assigned are posted, but the ones that can be found on YouTube are.   Some of the videos are seriously super brief, and some are a bit longer.   

Feel free to "save" this page somehow to come back for a looksie.

Theme 1:  Setting the Stage for Circle in Schools:

Talking about Circles in Schools: An Introduction  (5 minutes, 25 seconds)

Restorative Practices and Peacemaking Circles in Schools  (26 minutes of AWESOME)

Theme 2:  Building Your Circle-Keeping Muscle

This theme had a variety of videos but they aren't "public" so I don't feel cozy sharing them.  HOWEVER, feel free to check out the book Circle Forward from www.livingjusticepress.org -- you NEED this book!

Theme 3: Listening and Students with Special Needs

Not gonna lie, the videos for this theme were just a bit "eh" for me, I enjoyed the readings way more.   With that said, get yourself back on to www.livingjusticepress.org and order yourself a copy of Creating Restorative Schools - it's phenomenal! 

The Value of Deep Listening   (17 minutes)

Expanding the Webinar   (1 hour, 18 minutes)

Theme 4:  Implementing RJE and Circles School Wide

Theme 5:  Youth-Led RJE and Circles 

Oakland Public Schools Peer Mediation  (7 minutes)

Exploring Youth-Led RJ  (1 hour, 22 minutes, loved!)

Theme 6:  Whiteness and Harm

Theme 7:  Repairing Harm 

Teacher-Student Restorative Circle  (One of my absolute favorites!!!  14 minutes)

Restorative Justice - Circle on Harm in Cafeteria  (4 minutes, 30 seconds)

Restorative Justice in Oakland Schools:  Tier One Community Building Circle (9 minutes, 31 seconds)

Repairing our schools through restorative justice  (13 minutes, 26 seconds)

Restorative Welcome and Re-entry  (14 minutes)

Theme 8 was for our first week "live" in class on Zoom and Theme 9 was about Decolonizing Restorative Justice

Again... no videos to share for these themes BUT I can't stress enough the importance of checking out our class texts!   You will want the 2020 version of Circle Forward and Creating Restorative Schools.  Ideally, it would be awesome if you order from www.livingjusticepress.org 

Theme 10:  Consistent Circle Practice in the Classroom

Restorative Practices Circle (4 minutes)

Community Circles  (3 minutes)

Restorative Circles: Creating a Safe Environment for Students to Reflect  (4 minutes)

Theme 11: Social-Emotional Learning

CASEL videos

Theme 12:  Difficult Conversations and Staff Circles

Weekly Circles: Building Community to Foster Academic Achievement (6 minutes)

For themes 13-15, our videos were in our Google Folder and I'm not comfy with sharing those out.  However, again, look into Eastern Mennonite University Graduate Programs and Graduate Certificate Programs!!!! 

Theme 13:  When Things Go Wrong

Theme 14: Addressing Inquity and Injustice

Theme 15:  Mindfulness and Trauma-Informed Practices

Introducing #phs121 (pretty much done)

If you're on TikTok you can try to see my new classroom here (click click) or here (click again)

I must say, I am quite impressed with what we got done.   Furniture is finally how I like it and super simple to move out of the way to hold Circle.    

I still have a few things to bring in such as lesson planning stuff, a coat rack since I no longer have a personal closet, goodies for designing my bulletin board, and I just ordered some new colorful letters and such for the light boxes.   

My desk is something I'd like to keep as minimalist on the top as possible, but I still need to organize drawers.   I can not work in a mess and I absolutely LOATHE leaving with a mess on my desk only to return with a mess.

Now while I do have some more to do in there, the next thing I need to do and I mean NEED to do is spoil my custodian.  He's amazing and he's always so kind despite how much of a freaking mess I make.   Our entire maintenance crew ROCKS.  

So if you couldn't give a click-a-roo to links one and two above, here are some photos.

#Facts

 

Tid-Bits...

As I put the final touches on my last assignment for my summer class... I thought I'd jot down some of the tidbits shared this past week while we were in Zoom.    

This class was A LOT of work, but it was SO worth it.   I am optimistic on so many levels.

Again... just random tidbits that I wrote down 

• Shame is not a prerequisite for growth.

• What perspectives are being missed by schools being so white?

• Be curious.  Be the detective and not the judge. 

• We need to not rely on the emotions of others to heal our own.

• You may never physically see a change in a kid while doing restorative practices, it doesn't mean change isn't happening, it doesn't mean you should stop.

• If a student chooses to not be in Circle physically, that is okay.   It shouldn't be a time to do nothing though.   Students can be in Circle and pass each time.

• It can take the brain at least 18 minutes to come back from a harmful microaggression.   18 minutes!  

• Do not speed through the process of creating class values!

My First Circle - a Picture Walk and Reflection

Not sure what this Circle I speak of is?   Click here to be enlightened.

After taking some quiet time for ME to prepare outdoors, I began setting up what would be our Circle.  Originally, I had planned to have a family photo as our centerpiece but the more we discussed "Mommy's homework" this week - the more the kids wished to contribute.   Below are photos of our talking piece (cardinal) and setup.   I deliberately chose the side of the house so that the neighborhood kids would not see us if/when they came out to play.   

If you want to do a little zoom-a-zoom in on the photos you will see the following items on our special baby blanket.   A family photo of the four of us, the "I love you" frame with a reference to the Sermon given at our wedding, Elliot's ultrasound photo, Nora's "OMG" ultrasound photo, Elliot's favorite hat (which he then decided to take back after it almost blew away - whoops), Rigatoni (my 41-year-old black cat stuffed animal), my Ubuntu book, and the Mama and Baby Fox Stuffies.   

While drawing what/who made us feel good, it was fun to see the excitement as the talking piece was (for the most part) shared appropriately.    It was like a merry-go-round of happiness and art before I really dropped the ball and we got into the ugly stuff.

Nora's feel goods:  Mommy, Daddy, Elliot, Curie Wakanda, 12/12's on Spelling tests, snuggles, train spotting with Elliot, nature, science, the new playground at school, going to camp, Minecraft, Gynecology (yea, you read that right - my 7-year-old wants to be a "ladies doctor" as has for years), playing outside (not as a gynecologist), Mrs. Martin, running, Mr. Bare, more nature, Miss Jody, Lorenzo, music, singing, fruit salad and salad made by and eaten with Mommy, Grammy's food.  

Elliot's feel goods:  Mom, Dad, Nora, Curie, Grammy, PawPaw, Buddy, CSX, Intermodal, Norfolk Southern, Railfanning, people that understand him, people that understand Autism, Bears, Deer, Nature, Hunting, Mrs. Wolfe, Mrs. Macri, Mr. Bare, Mrs. Smith, Art Supplies, Hiking, Alone Time, Snow Days, Sunsets, Swimming, Wet grass and bare feet

While listening to my husband echo a lot of what our children said and seeing them express joy after joy, I started to feel a bit bad about getting into our worries and stressors.   Also, while watching everyone draw, it was made abundantly clear that I am not the artist of the family.   

As we got into the next part of the plan where we would discuss things that worry/stress us, I was completely moved by a few things my son had to say.   My husband had done a drawing (see below) about his concerns over so much farmland in our area being turned into warehouses.

(Side note:   Hubs loves to draw, and this took him less than 3 minutes to do)

 Nora then shared how she feels when her Daddy is working a lot but also shared the joy of Daddy now working closer to home and us being able to be together more and have more table dinners.

But then there was Elliot.   I love his brain.   Autism is his SuperPower.   You'll notice, there's no drawing.  There's a reason.   Elliot told me that he felt if he talked about things that worry and upset him, that was okay.   But if he drew those things, it gave those things power.   A good amount of his worries stem around the very real possibility that President Trump could be elected again.  I've started memorizing who has Trump signs where and I avoid those roads when he is in the car with me.   If you're pro-Trump and want to stop reading, that's fine.   I'm pro-Elliot, and that man scares the piss out of my kids.   

Elliot expressed he is worried about the environment and climate change already, and he fears that if President Trump is elected we're "really in for it."   And while a majority of my son's life is expressed through art and exploration, he had so much to say.  At one point he was holding the talking piece so hard, I thought he was going to shatter it.   He worries about Mommy getting sick again and Daddy scooping hair out of the bathtub drain (I HATE that he remembers everything).    He worries about trains de-railing, family restaurants going out of business, and the fact that no one seems to talk about the bad side of electric cars.   He worries about the health of others, especially his grandparents.  He kept going and I wonder if I should have stopped him... but I didn't.    As he talked about fears for his brown friends and his gay friends and his farmer friends --- something amazing happened.   A red-tailed hawk flew right over us and he SAW it.   If you know our little family well, you know we believe in spirit animals and the red-tailed hawk is one of them.  

To be honest, after Elliot shared (and shared some more) - I really expected him to just be "done" with this whole process.   He wasn't.   He sat and listened to us all share and wasn't sure if he broke the rules when he got out of place to comfort his sister.

Nora is worried about the water temperatures in Florida now and the possible destruction of more coral reefs and why no one seems to talk about that, she is worried about the air being bad and the things they put in food, she is worried about bad things happening to her family.    She worries that if President Trump is elected that her friends with two mommies and two daddies won't be allowed to have two mommies and two daddies anymore.   She worries about going to second grade without Elliot being in the building anymore now that he is going to middle school.  

And while my husband and I did share, we took on more of a listening role and at the same time echoed some of the concerns our children shared.    While the script/plan may have called for us to draw what we look like when worried/stressed, I found that unnecessary to do considering I could see it.

Instead, we talked about our happy drawings and added to them.   We talked about our blessings.   We talked about safe people.   We talked about school-based counseling and therapy.  We talked about love and trust.   We talked about standing up for ourselves and others.   

We ended with music and our feet planted firmly in the grass... and I found myself in an emotional state I never saw coming.    This opportunity was a blessing.

Additional (but not all) of our drawings:

My first ever Circle Plan

First and foremost:  Be gentle with me, this is my first ever Circle Plan and if you look at the post above this, you will see how it went.  ;-)

Secondly:  this plan was done with my family and I was well-behaved and remained as neutral as possible.  

This plan was adapted from Circle Forward (2020) Module 5.2 (Who and What Makes Us Feel Good) and Module 5.5 (What Are You Worried About)

Sidenote:  I absolutely encourage you to check out all the books/resources available at Living Justice Press.   If/When ordering Circle Forward, please make sure you have the 2020 edition.   Also, Creating Restorative Schools is outstanding as well and I'm not just saying that because my professor may be reading this (and she wrote the book).   ;-) 

Here is a cut and paste of my plan with edits suggested by my professor.

I quickly learned this week while being "live" in class that it is okay to go off script and for the Circle to go in an interesting discussion.   Scroll up to see how this went.   

PREPARATION:

1. What is the purpose of your circle?

The purpose of this circle is to increase the emotional literacy of our family by discussing feel good emotions/scenarios as well as worry/stress emotions/scenarios   

2. What materials do you need?

Talking piece, circle center, drawing materials, values and guidelines 

3. How will you prepare your whole self for the Circle?

Outdoor quiet and barefoot meditation 

CIRCLE:   Wednesday, July 26th 6pm 

4. Opening Ceremony

Honoring the Land:   Feet in Grass

Lebanon County – Lenai Lenape 

Song:   “Better Place” by Rachel Platten 

5. Purpose Statement

Today I invite you to talk about the things that make you happy about yourself and our family.  We’re also going to talk about the changes happening in our lives, in society, and in our family and how that makes you feel.  

6. Centerpiece – what are you using? 

Family Photo(s) on 1st Baby Blanket

Invitation to place an item of importance on the blanket

7. Values/Guidelines 

• Each person in Circle is valued.

• We will listen to the best of our ability.

• We will speak only when holding the talking piece.

• We will take deep breaths if/when feeling frustrated.

• We will give wait time to each member of the Circle.

• We can hold hands with one another while speaking, but we must stay in our spot in Circle.  

8. Talking Piece (what is it, why, honor the talking piece)

Cardinal Figurine.   

In our family, we enjoy being out in nature.  For us, being out in nature is calming and healing.   When we see a Cardinal or a Red-Tailed Hawk, we believe it’s an angel saying “hello.”

9. Guiding Questions (related to purpose)

Drawings followed by discussion:

• I invite you to draw a picture of what/who makes YOU feel good.

i. You are invited to tell us about your picture and why you drew it the way you did.  

ii. You are invited to share about the person you may have chosen to draw.

• I invite you to draw a picture of something that makes you worry or simply prepare to share what worries you.

i. I invited you to hold up the drawing if you choose.

• Draw a picture of what you look like when you feel worried (or stressed).

i. How can you tell others that you’re feeling worried?

ii. How can you tell if others are feeling worried?

iii. What can you do to help make you feel better about your worries?

• Draw a picture of what you look like when you are not feeling worried or stressed.  

i. If you so choose, discuss what you drew.  

10. Check-out round

i. Is there anything else would you like to share with your family today?

ii. How do you feel about talking together as a family in Circle?  Is this something we should do more?

11. Closing Ceremony

Songs:

Brent Morgan – Gonna Be Okay

Zak Abel – Be Kind

Barefoot Family Grass Walk

Return to Circle

12. Thank everyone for coming and being in the circle.

References:

Boyes-Watson, C., & Pranis, K. (2020). Circle forward: Building a restorative school community. Living Justice Press.