Module 6 Restorative Conversations
Dr Tom Cavanagh
[email protected]
[email protected]
Please go to the Google Folder to do the following:
Play this podcast - Module 6 podcast
Respond to these questions:
1. What do conversations involving wrongdoing and conflict look and sound like presently?
2. How might we use Restorative Conversations as a tier two activity inside and outside the classroom?
Videotape the Restorative Conversation practice, using the script found below.
Restorative Conversation
This restorative practice is used with 2 or 3 people. Generally it is used before an
issue becomes serious. Educators are encouraged to train students and parents in the
use of this restorative practice, as well as training teachers, administrators, and other
school staff.
The mantra that is the foundation of this restorative practice is “The person is not
the problem; the problem is the problem.” The meaning is that the focus needs to be on
the problem rather than the person.
When three people are engaged in this restorative practice, one of the people
can act as the facilitator.
The four questions that need to be asked should be framed in a manner similar
this and in this order:
1. What is the problem? Coming to agreement about what is the problem among
the participants in this restorative practice is often the hardest part of the
conversation. However, it is critical that consensus be reached among the
participants as to what the problem is by coming to agreement as to how to name
the problem.
2. What are the effects of the problem, on the persons involved and the
community as a whole? The answers to this question need to be framed as “I”
statements. These answers need to include emotional, psychological, and/or
physical effects.
3. What is it like when the problem does not exist? The response to this
question is meant to explore the ideal situation, when the problem no longer
exists.
4. What can I/we do to move from this being a problem to that more ideal
place where the problem does not exist, reconciliation occurs, and
harmony returns to the community? In this answer a plan of action is agreed
to and perhaps written down so it can be referred to later.

This restorative practice is used with 2 or 3 people. Generally it is used before an
issue becomes serious. Educators are encouraged to train students and parents in the
use of this restorative practice, as well as training teachers, administrators, and other
school staff.
The mantra that is the foundation of this restorative practice is “The person is not
the problem; the problem is the problem.” The meaning is that the focus needs to be on
the problem rather than the person.
When three people are engaged in this restorative practice, one of the people
can act as the facilitator.
The four questions that need to be asked should be framed in a manner similar
this and in this order:
1. What is the problem? Coming to agreement about what is the problem among
the participants in this restorative practice is often the hardest part of the
conversation. However, it is critical that consensus be reached among the
participants as to what the problem is by coming to agreement as to how to name
the problem.
2. What are the effects of the problem, on the persons involved and the
community as a whole? The answers to this question need to be framed as “I”
statements. These answers need to include emotional, psychological, and/or
physical effects.
3. What is it like when the problem does not exist? The response to this
question is meant to explore the ideal situation, when the problem no longer
exists.
4. What can I/we do to move from this being a problem to that more ideal
place where the problem does not exist, reconciliation occurs, and
harmony returns to the community? In this answer a plan of action is agreed
to and perhaps written down so it can be referred to later.