Restorative Circles Facilitator Guide Restorative Practices Facilitation
Circle of Care Facilitator Guide
Educator Resource
Grades 6–12 • 45–60 Mins
The Restorative Philosophy Circles shift discipline from punitive measures to relational repair. Rather than asking "What rule was broken and who is to blame?" , we ask "Who was harmed, what are their needs, and whose obligation is it to repair that harm?"
1. Circle Environment
• Unbroken Circle: Chairs in an open circle with no desks or physical barriers in between.
• Centerpiece: A shared cloth, plant, or symbolic item marking the center of shared attention.
• Talking Piece: A tactile object with significance (smooth stone, wooden block, or class emblem).
2. Sacred Circle Norms
Respect the Talking Piece: Only the person holding the piece speaks; all others listen actively.
Speak from the Heart: Speak honesty, vulnerability, and your own personal experience.
Listen with Empathy: Listen without preparing a rebuttal or interrupting.
Circle Confidentiality: Stories stay, wisdom leaves. Respect vulnerability.
Protocol A
Emotional Check-In & Gauge (10–15 Mins)
Goal: Regulate nervous systems & build safety
Send the talking piece clockwise. Students may pass once by simply holding and handing the piece forward.
Internal Weather
"If your mood right now were a type of weather, what would it be and why?"
Fist-to-Five Meter
"Hold up 1–5 fingers for your current emotional capacity today. Brief 1-sentence why."
Needs Identification
"One thing you need from our classroom community today to feel grounded."
Opening Script for Facilitator:
"Welcome to our circle. Here, every voice has equal dignity. The person with the talking piece has our full presence. If you receive the talking piece and aren't ready to speak, hold it for three silent breaths, then pass it gently to your neighbor. Let us begin."
Circle of Care • Comprehensive Restorative Facilitation Guide Page 1 of 2
Restorative Protocols
Repair, Problem-Solving & Agreements
Action Phases
Protocol B
Community Problem-Solving Round (15 Mins)
Goal: Shift from finger-pointing to collective ownership
Step 1: Naming the Shared Concern
Facilitator names the objective behavior without blame (e.g., "We've noticed group work disruptions and disrespectful side chatter." ). Pass piece: "How does this impact your learning and comfort?"
Step 2: Collective Solution Brainstorm
Pass piece counter-clockwise: "What is one concrete, realistic action we can all take starting today to safeguard our focus and mutual respect?"
Protocol C
Conflict Repair & Accountability (15–20 Mins)
Goal: Acknowledge harm & design meaningful repair
Guide both the person who caused harm and those impacted through the 5 foundational restorative questions:
1
What happened? (Stick to verifiable facts without defensive accusations or insults.)
2
What were you thinking and feeling at the time? What about now? (Unpacks the emotional trigger and retrospective clarity.)
3
Who has been affected by what happened, and in what way? (Encourages perspective-taking and awareness of ripple effects.)
4
What needs to happen to make things right? (Direct repair: apologies, restitution, revised boundaries.)
5
What agreement can we make to ensure this does not happen again? (Written commitments recorded on student reflection sheet.)
Handling Escalation / Resistance
If a participant becomes defensive or emotional, pause the talking piece. Take two communal grounding breaths. Remind everyone: "We are attacking the problem together, not attacking each other." Never force an apology in the moment.
Closing the Circle
End with a one-word closing whip-around: "Share one word summarizing how you feel right now or a wish for our room." Have students write their commitments on their Student Reflection Sheets before transitioning.
Circle of Care • Comprehensive Restorative Facilitation Guide Page 2 of 2
Restorative Circle Slides Restorative Practice
Community Circle
Circle of Care: Listening, Repair & Community
A brave, intentional space where every voice is heard, harm is repaired, and shared agreements are built.
Safe & Confidential
Equal Voices
Collective Accountability
Grounding Agreements
Our Circle Norms
1
Respect the Talking Piece
Only the person holding the piece speaks. Everyone else listens with full presence.
2
Speak from the Heart
Share your honest thoughts, feelings, and personal truth using "I" statements.
3
Listen with Empathy
Listen to understand, not to debate, judge, or prepare your counter-argument.
4
Honor Confidentiality
Stories stay inside this circle; lessons and personal wisdom leave with you.
Passing is Allowed: If you receive the talking piece and need time, hold it silently for 3 breaths, then gently pass it.
Round 1 • Connection
Emotional Weather Check-In
Passing the Talking Piece
"What is your internal weather today, and what is one thing you need from our community to feel supported?"
Sunny / Energized
Feeling focused, calm, and ready to contribute.
Cloudy / Overcast
Carrying stress, fatigue, or outside distractions.
Stormy / Restless
Nervous, overwhelmed, or in need of patient grace.
Hold the talking piece firmly. Speak clearly. Every emotion is welcomed here.
Round 2 • Collective Action
Shared Problem-Solving
Part 1: Impact
Naming the Challenge
"How does this shared issue or tension affect our classroom environment and your ability to thrive?"
Focus on personal impact: "When this occurs, I feel..."
Part 2: Solutions
Collective Solutions
"What is one concrete, practical action we can all take starting today to solve this together?"
Focus on proactive solutions, not blaming individuals.
We tackle the challenge side by side—as partners in building our community.
Round 3 • Accountability
The 5 Restorative Questions
1
What happened? (State verifiable facts without insults or excuses.)
2
Circle Reflections Student Handout Restorative Community Circle
Circle Reflections Student Handout
Name: ___________________________
Date: ____________ Period: _______
Circle Norms: Respect Talking Piece • Speak Honestly • Listen to Understand • Honor Confidentiality
1
My Internal Weather & Capacity Check
Mark your current internal climate and describe your emotional state today:
Sunny Energized & calm
Overcast Tired or distracted
Rainy Heavy or sad
Stormy Overwhelmed/tense
Explain why you chose this weather and what you need from our room today:
2
Active Listening Log (Listening from the Heart)
As the talking piece moves around our circle, practice listening deeply without judgment or interruption.
A peer perspective, story, or feeling shared today that resonated with me or made me think:
A shared classroom strength or common value I heard expressed across our circle:
Circle of Care • Student Handout Page 1 of 2
Restorative Reflection
Conflict Repair & Community Agreement
Accountability
3
Restorative Repair Framework
Reflect on a conflict, classroom disruption, or shared challenge addressed in our circle today:
A. What happened? (State verifiable facts clearly):
B. What were your feelings then vs. right now?
C. Who was impacted and in what specific ways?
D. What concrete action can make things right?
4
My Community Agreement
Accountability is a pledge to our collective growth. Write your personal commitment to our classroom community:
1. To protect our community's trust and respect, I commit to:
2. If I begin to feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or tempted to disengage, I will:
Student Signature: ___________________________
Date: ____________
Circle of Care • Student Handout Page 2 of 2
Community Commitments Exit Ticket Community Commitments Exit Ticket
Restorative Circle Reflection
Name: ______________________
Date: ________ Period: ____
How heard & respected did you feel in circle today?
○ 1 (Not heard) ○ 2 ○ 3 ○ 4 ○ 5 (Fully heard)
My one closing word leaving circle:
1. One new insight or perspective I gained from a peer in our circle today:
2. One concrete commitment I will uphold this week to care for our community:
Private check-in for teacher/facilitator only (optional):
Circle of Care • Exit Reflection Honoring vulnerability and accountability
CUT HERE (2 COPIES PER PAGE)
Community Commitments Exit Ticket
Restorative Circle Reflection
Name: ______________________
Date: ________ Period: ____
How heard & respected did you feel in circle today?
○ 1 (Not heard) ○ 2 ○ 3 ○ 4 ○ 5 (Fully heard)
My one closing word leaving circle:
1. One new insight or perspective I gained from a peer in our circle today:
2. One concrete commitment I will uphold this week to care for our community:
Private check-in for teacher/facilitator only (optional):
Circle of Care • Exit Reflection Honoring vulnerability and accountability
