Restorative Roots Slides Restorative Roots
Building a Community of Care in the Elementary Classroom
The Heart of the Work
Restorative practices are about relationships first.
Moving from punishment to accountability .
Focusing on harm repaired rather than rules broken .
Building a "With" culture, not a "To" or "For" culture.
"Students don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
— Theodore Roosevelt
The Restorative Model
Connect
Proactive building of safe, trusting relationships.
80% OF THE WORK
Correct
Restoring the community when harm occurs.
RESPONSIVE DIALOGUE
Consequence
Logical outcomes that repair relationships.
COLLABORATIVE ACTION
Phase 1
Connect
Why Connection?
We cannot restore a relationship that was never built. Connection creates the safety net that allows for correction later.
Elementary Tools:
Morning Circles: Every child is seen and heard.
Threshold Greetings: Connect before they enter.
2x10 Strategy: 2 mins/10 days with a specific student.
The Power of the Circle
EQUALITY
SAFETY
VOICE
FOCUS
In a circle, there is no "back of the room." Everyone is a vital part of the community fabric.
Phase 2
Correct
Restorative Questions:
"What happened?"
"What were you thinking at the time?"
"Who has been affected?"
"What do you need to do to make it right?"
The Shift
FROM
What rule was broken?
TO
What harm was done?
We focus on repairing the harm, not just punishing the behavior.
The Tool of "I" Statements
"I feel _______ when you _______ because _______."
Feeling
Sad, Worried, Overwhelmed
Behavior
Call out, Throw toys, Run away
Impact
I can't teach, Safety is at risk
Phase 3
Consequence
Logical vs. Punitive
Punitive (The Old Way)
"Go to the office because you hit someone."
No repair, no learning, breaks connection.
Restorative (The Rooted Way)
"You hit Sam. What can you do to make Sam feel safe again?"
Logical repair, teaches empathy, keeps connection.
Repair Agreements
Written/Drawn Apology: Genuine reflection.
Restitution: Replacing or fixing what was damaged.
Safety Plan: How we'll act next time.
The Path to Change
Connect (Morning Circles)
WEEK 1-4
Connect + Affective Statements
WEEK 5-8
Correct (Small Impromptu Chats)
WEEK 9-12
Restorative School Culture
BEYOND
"Relationship is the root; behavior is just the fruit."
Let's go tend our gardens.
Questions & Discussion
Restorative Roots Facilitator Guide Restorative Roots
Facilitator Guide • 3-Hour PD Session
Elementary Focus
Duration
180 Minutes (3 Hours)
Audience
K-5 Educators & Staff
Materials Needed
Slides, Scenario Cards, Chart Paper, Markers
Session Schedule
00:00-00:20
Opening Circle & The Heart of the Work
Experience a morning circle. Define restorative practices vs. punitive models.
00:20-01:00
Phase 1: Connect (The Foundation)
Strategies for proactive community building. Deep dive into Circle structures.
01:00-01:15
Bio-Break
01:15-02:15
Phase 2: Correct (The Repair)
Affective statements and restorative questions. Role-play scenarios.
02:15-02:45
Phase 3: Consequence (The Action)
Designing logical consequences that heal. Creating repair agreements.
02:45-03:00
Implementation Planning & Closing
Commitments for the next 30 days. Final check-out circle.
1
Opening Circle & Phase 1
Facilitation Key Point
"Model the behavior you want to see. Your tone should be curious and warm, never interrogatory."
Activity: The Community Circle (20 mins)
Arrange teachers in a physical circle. Use a "talking piece" (a small plant, a stress ball, or a stone).
Check-in Question: "On a scale of 1-5, how is your 'battery' today? Briefly share why."
Purpose: Demonstrate that every voice is equal. Note the transition from social talk to focused listening once the circle begins.
Slide 4-5 Talking Points: Connect
Stress that 80% of restorative work happens before anything goes wrong. If we only use these tools for discipline, students will associate them with "getting in trouble." We must connect for the sake of connection.
The 2x10 Strategy: Challenge teachers to identify one "push button" student. Commit to talking to them for 2 minutes a day for 10 days about anything other than school or behavior.
2
Phase 2: Correct
The Power of Affective Statements
Teachers often use "Stop" or "Don't." Affective statements shift the focus to the teacher's humanity and the impact on the community.
Practice Prompt:
"A student is talking loudly while you are giving instructions."
Restorative Scenarios Worksheet Scenario Practice Sheet
Phase 2: The Repair
Restorative Roots Workshop
The Facilitator's Script
Ask the Harmer:
• What happened?
• What were you thinking at the time?
• Who has been affected by what you have done?
• What do you think you need to do to make things right?
Ask the Harmed:
• What did you think when you realized what happened?
• What impact has this incident had on you and others?
• What has been the hardest thing for you?
• What do you think needs to happen to make things right?
Lower Elementary Grades K-2
Scenario 1: The Block Tower Tumble Choice Time
"Leo ran through the block area and knocked down Eli's space station. Eli is crying and refuses to let anyone near the blocks."
Identify the Harm
Potential Repair
Scenario 2: The Hallway Hustle Transitions
"Sarah was running to the library and bumped Sam, who fell and dropped all his books. Sarah didn't stop to help."
Identify the Harm
Potential Repair
Scenario 3: The Crayon Conflict Classroom
"Maya grabbed the only red crayon from Ava's hand because she 'needed it right now.' Ava started yelling and pushed Maya's arm, causing her to scribble on her own paper."
Identify the Harm
Potential Repair
Upper Elementary Grades 3-5
Scenario 4: The Unkind Note Relational
"A group passed a note saying Chloe 'smells like cheese.' Chloe saw it and now refuses to participate in class."
Identify the Harm
Potential Repair
Scenario 5: The Mechanical Pencil Mystery Property
"Jackson took Ben's special pencil without asking. When confronted, Jackson said he found it on the floor and refused to return it."
Identify the Harm
Potential Repair
Scenario 6: The Recess Rumor Social
"Noah told a group of boys that Sam was crying in the bathroom. By lunch, everyone was whispering about Sam. Sam is now hiding in the library and won't go out for afternoon recess."
Identify the Harm
Potential Repair
All School Specialists & Common Areas
Scenario 7: The Library Distraction Community Space
"Fifth graders were playing tag in the library while the Librarian was reading to first graders. The story had to stop three times."
Identify the Harm
Potential Repair
Circle Starter Prompts Handout Circle Starters
Daily Connection Prompts for the Elementary Classroom
How to use these cards:
Choose one category per day for your Morning Circle. Ensure students are seated in a physical circle with a talking piece. Remember: It's okay to pass.
Fun & Light
If you could have any animal as a pet (even a dinosaur), what would it be?
What is the best superpower to have while doing chores?
Would you rather live in a house made of LEGOs or a house made of chocolate?
What is your favorite sound in the whole world?
Community Care
What is one thing someone in this room did that made you smile today?
What does it mean to be a "good classmate"?
If our class was a sports team, what would our team name be?
What is one rule we have that makes our class feel safe?
Self-Reflection
What is something you are really proud of learning this week?
When you are feeling frustrated, what helps you calm down?
What is a goal you have for yourself today?
What is one thing you want the teacher to know about you today?
Big Thinking
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
What is something that is hard for you, but you keep trying anyway?
If you were the principal for one day, what would you do first?
What do you think is the most important quality in a friend?
Restorative Action Plan Handout Restorative Action Plan
30-Day Implementation Goal
Teacher Name
My Big Takeaway
What is the most important thing you learned today about restorative practices?
Phase 1: Connect
Build the Root
What proactive relationship-building strategy will you implement first?
Doorway Greetings (Every student, every day)
Weekly Community Circle (Select a day: __________)
The 2x10 Strategy (Target student: ______________)
Phase 2: Correct
Shift the Language
Write one Affective Statement you can use for a common behavior in your room:
"I feel... when you... because..."
Phase 3: Consequence
Repairing the Harm
How will you change your response to conflict this week?
"Restorative practices are not a program, they are a way of being."
Classroom Ice Breakers Handout Classroom Ice Breakers
Quick Connection Activities for Any Grade
1. Mirror, Mirror
Grades K-1
Focus: Empathy & Non-verbal
Partners mimic each other's slow movements. Encourages deep focus and noticing others' physical cues.
2. Scribble Art
Grades K-2
Focus: Collaborative Effort
Partner A draws a random scribble. Partner B must turn that scribble into a recognizable object or animal.
3. Snowball Fight
Grades K-5
Focus: Positive Affirmation
Write a compliment for the class, crumple, throw, and read aloud. Creates high energy and shared joy.
4. This or That
Grades K-5
Focus: Finding Commonality
Move to the left or right side of the room based on preferences. Quickly identifies similar interests.
5. The Human Knot
Grades 3-5
Focus: Problem Solving
Untangle a mess of hands without letting go. Requires calm communication and physical teamwork.
6. Common Ground
Grades 3-5
Focus: Deep Connection
In groups of 4, find 3 unique things you all have in common (e.g., "We all have a sister" or "We all hate broccoli").
Restorative Note
Ice breakers aren't just for the start of the year. They are "deposits" into the relationship bank that you will need to "withdraw" from when things get difficult.
Common Ground Questions Handout Common Ground
"This or That" Questions for Restorative Connection
Restorative Purpose:
Finding "common ground" humanizes classmates. When students see they share interests with someone they usually don't talk to, it builds the foundational empathy needed for the "Correct" phase.
Snacks & Flavors
Pancakes vs Waffles
Pizza vs Tacos
Sweet vs Salty
Ice Cream vs Cake
Fruit vs Vegetables
Play & Hobbies
Video Games vs Board Games
Drawing vs Building
Singing vs Dancing
Inside Play vs Outside Play
Cartoons vs Movies
School Life
Math vs Reading
Library vs Gym
Morning vs Afternoon
Markers vs Crayons
Group Work vs Solo Work
Just for Fun
Flying vs Invisibility
Space vs Under the Sea
Cats vs Dogs
Dragons vs Unicorns
Talking Animals vs Magic Spells
The Restorative Follow-Up:
After a round, ask: "Who stood in the same place as someone you didn't know liked that same thing? Give them a high-five or a wave!"