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.