Restorative Practices

Like a Brain Break, but more intentional

Disconnect from academics, connect with one another!

Pose a question to the class (something they can discuss but not to raise the energy level too high)

Start a time for 60 seconds

Students then Turn-and-Talk about the question you asked, then walk, listen, and learn (but do not comment)

You share your answer last, then transition to the next activity

Have students stand and form a square or rectangle

Ask a question to the class

Set a timer for 2 minutes

Teacher answers first

Teacher looks in the direction of who will go next and it flows from there (students can pass)

After last person has shared and the timer has gone off, move to the next activity

This is a social contract created between teacher and student

It has 3 parts (sstudent to student, student to teacher, and teacher to student)

This sets the norms for the classroom as to how the class wants to be treated

When the treatment agreement is broken, ways to make it right are also created

Treatment agreements can be done weekly, along with weekly goals or done for the year

Two-part plan

First part is greeting students at the door (ex. fist bump, high five, hug, or handshake)

Second part happens inside the classroom by creating a spark of positive energy

Teachers can have daily activities on the board to create the spark (ex. Mak a friend happy Monday, Bucket filler Friday)

Teachers can instruct students what to do (ex. Play a game of paper, rock, scissors and the loser must pay the winer a compliment, or studnet thumb wrestle and the loser has to give an affermation to hte winner, or greet 3 people in class with a fist bump and good morning/afternoon)

This is a strategy that also helps build relationships and community, help resolve conflict or problems that arise, and gives everyone an opportunity to speak.

Form a circle in teh class

Introduce the talking piece to the class and what it means to you

There are 3 levels of questions (green - simple, yellow - medium, and red - thought provoking)

Ask a question, inform the person who is going next (the person next to you on your right or left side)

Answer the question first then pass the talking piece to the person you informed was going next

The circle continues in that direction until the talking piece makes it back to the teacher

Norms are addressed prior to starting the circle and should be similar to the following:

• Speak from the heart

• Listen from the heart

• Remain in circle

• Be honest

• You can pass

• What happens in circle, stays in circle

• Be your best self

• Respect the talking piece