Any experience with a restorative circle in the classroom?

[Anonymous]

I just found out that my child's 5th grade class participated in a restorative circle with the vice principal and teacher. Background is that students and parents have been expressing concerns about the teacher, and what brought things to a head was an inappropriate video being shown to the class (topic was screen use, but the video was completely inappropriate for their age). I'm wondering if this is an approach that others are familiar with being used in an elementary school classroom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just found out that my child's 5th grade class participated in a restorative circle with the vice principal and teacher. Background is that students and parents have been expressing concerns about the teacher, and what brought things to a head was an inappropriate video being shown to the class (topic was screen use, but the video was completely inappropriate for their age). I'm wondering if this is an approach that others are familiar with being used in an elementary school classroom?

I teach at middle school level, but this seems like a very appropriate use of a circle, because the entire class was affected. The principal leading it was good. It’s important for the kids to be able to express their concerns and for them to be acknowledged by the teacher. This is better than kids/parents talking behind teacher’s back and creating a system that puts the teacher as an adversary. The class needs to be able to work with the teacher, and the teacher needs to meets their Leary needs appropriately. Without some attempt to resolve how everyone is feeling, it will be a looong year.

[Anonymous]

Learning needs

[Anonymous]

What was the content of the video?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What was the content of the video?

It was on the misuse of technology. The themes in the video are mature (suicide, butt filler?).

[Anonymous]

I think it's great when the bond between students and teacher is repaired like this. However sometimes circles are used to deflect blame and distract when one side is clearly in the wrong and the administration wants to protect them anyway.

I don't have enough info to say whether it's one or the other, OP. But I'll say that if it's just this one time that the teacher did something, I'd want to give them the benefit of the doubt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What was the content of the video?

It was on the misuse of technology. The themes in the video are mature (suicide, butt filler?).

Wtf!? Terrible judgement on behalf of the teacher or content provider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's great when the bond between students and teacher is repaired like this. However sometimes circles are used to deflect blame and distract when one side is clearly in the wrong and the administration wants to protect them anyway.

I don't have enough info to say whether it's one or the other, OP. But I'll say that if it's just this one time that the teacher did something, I'd want to give them the benefit of the doubt.

No one speaks up in a group. If they wanted the truth they’d do 1:1s in a safe space. Not a group and not with a power imbalance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's great when the bond between students and teacher is repaired like this. However sometimes circles are used to deflect blame and distract when one side is clearly in the wrong and the administration wants to protect them anyway.

I don't have enough info to say whether it's one or the other, OP. But I'll say that if it's just this one time that the teacher did something, I'd want to give them the benefit of the doubt.

No one speaks up in a group. If they wanted the truth they’d do 1:1s in a safe space. Not a group and not with a power imbalance.

Umm that's why they do it this way...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's great when the bond between students and teacher is repaired like this. However sometimes circles are used to deflect blame and distract when one side is clearly in the wrong and the administration wants to protect them anyway.

I don't have enough info to say whether it's one or the other, OP. But I'll say that if it's just this one time that the teacher did something, I'd want to give them the benefit of the doubt.

No one speaks up in a group. If they wanted the truth they’d do 1:1s in a safe space. Not a group and not with a power imbalance.

Umm that's why they do it this way...

5th grade me would have never spoken up against my teacher in a group. I would have been intimidated and scared of repercussions. Op, did these kids speak up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just found out that my child's 5th grade class participated in a restorative circle with the vice principal and teacher. Background is that students and parents have been expressing concerns about the teacher, and what brought things to a head was an inappropriate video being shown to the class (topic was screen use, but the video was completely inappropriate for their age). I'm wondering if this is an approach that others are familiar with being used in an elementary school classroom?

This sounds so helpful! They should make it a weekly thing even.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's great when the bond between students and teacher is repaired like this. However sometimes circles are used to deflect blame and distract when one side is clearly in the wrong and the administration wants to protect them anyway.

I don't have enough info to say whether it's one or the other, OP. But I'll say that if it's just this one time that the teacher did something, I'd want to give them the benefit of the doubt.

This is exactly what happens most of the time. It's absurd to me that a child who was hurt (whether physically, mentally) is forced to sit in a meeting with the person in the wrong even if the victim doesn't want to do it. Why are we forcing people to talk it out, understand why the bully was being a bully, and to accept apologies that most likely aren't sincere? This to me is more of a punishment to the victim while the bully gets nothing but supposed empathy. Puhleeze.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just found out that my child's 5th grade class participated in a restorative circle with the vice principal and teacher. Background is that students and parents have been expressing concerns about the teacher, and what brought things to a head was an inappropriate video being shown to the class (topic was screen use, but the video was completely inappropriate for their age). I'm wondering if this is an approach that others are familiar with being used in an elementary school classroom?

This sounds so helpful! They should make it a weekly thing even.

My kids' ES has circles every day. It's part of restorative justice, which DCUM loves to hate. They start by just talking about benign stuff like what's your favorite dessert or tell us something that made you smile today, and the kids get used to respecting each other's thoughts. There's a "talking piece" (a stuffed animal, I think) that the kids pass around and the person holding it has the floor. There's even a special mat they put in the middle so the kids have something to look at if they don't want to make eye contact.

It seems entirely appropriate that the issue was handled this way--the class was affected and they had an opportunity to express their thoughts. If they didn't feel comfortable, they don't have to share anything.

[Anonymous]

Arch-conservatives hate restorative justice or anything involving feelings. They seem to believe that children should seen and not heard and prefer corporal punishment since that's how things were done a century ago.

[Anonymous]

The same kids will always participate and a sizable number of kids will never, ever say anything. That sucks.