The key to classroom success is relationships! Here you will find strategies and resources for building student relationships. 

Are we saying that all student behavior concerns will be solved by these actions? No, we're not. What we are saying, is that once that foundation is created, the other pieces will become easier. When students trust us and have a relationship, they are willing to be vulnerable, share and try to fix any harm caused. Typically, we see the most challenges with this as we move up in middle and high school. Teachers are experts in their content areas, and feel less comfortable with the SEL/relationship side. Remember, no matter the age, students want to feel seen and accepted for who they are. 

Hacking School Discipline has created a list of 101 circle prompts. These questions range from low stakes to higher stake questions, meaning, there is very little pressure in their response to higher pressure.  We want to start with "get to know you" questions and then over time build on those questions.  Restorative practices days 1 and 2 teach all about why we act in certain ways, the 80/20 principle (80 percent proactive, 20 percent reactive), and how to facilitate circles. Many people are already holding some sort of informal circle, and these prompts can add some intention into that practice.