Module 5 Community Circles
Dr Tom Cavanagh
[email protected]
[email protected]
Please go to the Google Folder to do the following:
Play this podcast - Module 5 podcast
Respond to these questions:
1. How do we build community in classrooms?
2. How can we implement the use of Community Circles in the classroom as a tier one activity?
Videotape two community circles being facilitated by you using the script found below, one for building community and one for setting norms.
Community Circles
Tom Cavanagh, Ph.D.
Community Circles is the name given to a process based on the philosophy of restorative justice, which is focused on building relationships. The goal of these circles is to create harmony in the school community through creating a sense of belonging and connectedness.
In this Community Circles process certain ground rules are established so a safe place can be created where people (be they students, teachers, and/or families) can come together, with a facilitator, to build and maintain relationships.
The underlying values of Community Circles are:
1. Leadership and power are shared (everyone in the circle is equal and has an equal opportunity to speak).
2. Participants have direct visual contact with each other.
3. Peacebuilding and peacemaking are the foci.
4. Interconnectedness of all participants is encouraged.
5. Respect and accountability are required.
6. Participation by all is necessary.
7. Inclusion and mutual responsibility for the circle are indispensable.
The following ground rules are used at Community Circles, upon agreement of everyone: 1. Listen when others speak (use the talking piece).
2. Speak with honesty and from the heart.
3. Use words that are respectful and not offensive.
4. While everyone is encouraged to speak, no one is required to speak.
5. What is said in the circle stays in the circle (except for the written report and mandated reporting).
The format for the Community Circle is:
1. Welcome.
2. Review ground rules and purpose of the circle.
3. Open the circle.
4. Talk about the topic and the feelings and/or perceptions about the topic. 5. Reflect on the process.
This script is meant to assist in facilitating a Community Circle. Please adapt the script for your purposes.
Community Circle Script
Welcome to this Community Circle. I am the facilitator. Community Circle is the name given to a process based on the philosophy of restorative justice, which is focused on building and maintaining relationships.
The underlying values of Community Circles are:
- Leadership and power are shared (everyone in the circle is equal and has an equal opportunity to speak),
- Participants have direct visual contact with each other,
- Peacebuilding is the focus,
- Interconnectedness of all participants is encouraged,
- Respect and accountability are required,
- Participation by all is necessary, and
- Inclusion and mutual responsibility for the circle are indispensable.
In this Community Circle process certain ground rules are established so a safe place can be created where people can come together, with a facilitator, to build and maintain relationships. The following ground rules are used at Community Circles, upon agreement of everyone:
- Listen when others speak (use the talking stick),
- Speak with honesty and from the heart,
- Use words that are respectful and not offensive,
- While everyone is encouraged to speak, no one is required to speak, and
- What is said in the circle stays in the circle.
Open the Circle
I will now open the circle. We will begin by talking about the topic being proposed and our thoughts and feelings related to the topic. Let's begin passing the talking piece.
(Introduce the topic with a statement or a question. As the facilitator of the circle you can talk first or pass the talking piece either to your left or right.)
Closing
• How do you feel about the Community Circle process?
• Are you satisfied with the outcome?
• Do you feel ready to call a circle and act as a keeper of a circle?