Embedded Files
Circles change the way we gather. Proactive Circles create connection and relationships through equal opportunity sharing and listening. These talking circles proactively build the skills individuals need when conflicts arise because they give every individual the opportunity to speak and be heard.
Circles change the way we gather. Proactive Circles create connection and relationships through equal opportunity sharing and listening. These talking circles proactively build the skills individuals need when conflicts arise because they give every individual the opportunity to speak and be heard.
Proactive circles should account for around 80% of the circles a student participates in.
Proactive circles should account for around 80% of the circles a student participates in.
Restorative Practices Continuum: Proactive Circles
SEL Competency and Standards Connection
This practice supports students in practicing and growing in:
What the Research Says
(2019, Visible Learning 250+ Influences on Student Achievement)
Classroom discussion: 0.56 A form of instruction in which students are invited to speak about the topic at hand. It involves much more than a teacher asking a class a question, then another, etc., but involves students discussing with each other, often prompted from an open and not closed set of questions.
Classroom Cohesion: 0.53 The sense that the teacher and the students are working together toward positive learning goals.
Social Skills Development: 0.40 Teaching each student to appropriately interact and communicate effectively with their peers and teachers and develops respect for self and respect for others.
What’s the Point?
Community circle, or Class meeting, is the time of day when the teacher and students greet each other, take time to build inclusion and community, and practice social skills.
Circles change the way we gather.
Proactive Circles create connection and relationships through equal opportunity sharing and listening.
How is this Strategy Used by the Teacher?
These circles should account for around 80% of the circles a student participates in.
Develop welcoming rituals.
Create routines & procedures to create safe learning environment
Learn about students interests and needs
Develop structure for community building including having difficult conversations
Check in with each student on well being
Develop students social-emotional skills
How is the Strategy Used by Students?
Build identity safety
Develop interpersonal skills and intrapersonal skills
Establish predictable practices to increase student engagement
Communicate emotions, feelings, thoughts, and ideas
Develop empathy
Develop skills to listen to multiple perspectives
Explicit practice on skills needed to engage socially & academically
Trauma-Informed, Culturally & Community Responsive
Welcoming rituals and routines create a safe learning environment.
Student voice is uplifted
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