Reply to Any experience with a restorative circle in the classroom?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The same kids will always participate and a sizable number of kids will never, ever say anything. That sucks. [/quote]

This hasn't been my experience as a 5th grade teacher in the 5ish years my school has been doing them as a regular part of the daily/weekly schedule. The first few times, most kids participate. After a few months and we've settled in, usually all participate in some form. I've had a few kids that never did, but there were also some other issues they were dealing with, and they comfortable enough to join the circle and say "pass" when it was their turn.

They can be kind of hokey, but I really like them, and it really does help build a classroom community that sticks together and looks out for each other.[/quote]

Okay how about when there's a kid bullying another kid. Do you think the bully and the other kid should be forced to sit in a meeting to talk it out even if the victim does not want to be there? Because this happens ALL THE TIME.[/quote]

Yes, I think that's one way to teach empathy and improve understanding. Cowering behind a bookcase definitely doesn't wrok.[/quote]

So your perspective on another teachers should be accepted as truth and accurate, consequences delivered and no one hears any context?

Completely agree! When this is done right, the results are miraculous too. It can really help establish trust and mend relationships.[/quote]
I have never seen this happen in real life.  It's nice to think it does, and I can see how in the younger grades this could work, but certainly not pass 9 or 10.[/quote]

I’ve seen several attempts at RJ circles at our high school. I agree: it stops being a useful tool with older kids. There is absolutely no buy-in and the students look at it as nothing more than a break from having to do work.

One kid who has bullied refused to participate in one because he didn’t want to be forced to accept the other kid’s excuses. Couldn’t blame him. [/quote]

It can be quite effective with all children and even adults if done correctly. [/quote]

But shouldn’t it be consensual? My child was forced to do this, hated it and didn’t want to participate (he just wanted to move seats) and they gave glib responses and bullying continued while teacher praised bullies snd made my child thank them for being so mature to apologize. My child learned bullies win and teachers are at best no help and to not say anything next time. [/quote]

I’m a teacher. I was forced into one of these when I told admin that a coworker was being manipulative and bully-ish. It was such a farce. She got to make excuses for her unprofessional behavior, and I was “counseled” when I refused to accept these trite excuses instead of the respect I deserved. It was demeaning and useless. Her behavior never changed (of course).

I am now more in favor of actual consequences than I was before that silly circle.

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