Restorative Circles in Schools: Building Community and Enhancing Learning

by Bob Costello, Ted Wachte, Joshua Wachtel

Restorative Circles in Building Community and Enhancing Learning is a practical guide to the use of circles in schools and other settings, as well as an in-depth exploration of circle processes. The book includes numerous stories about the way circles have been used in many diverse situations, discussion on the use of proactive, responsive and staff circles, and an overview of restorative practices, with particular emphasis on its relationship to circle processes.

Genres: Nonfiction, School, Education

94 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would love it if administrators did more of this with teachers. There would be so much more transparency and maybe our voices could be heard more. As teachers, we need to hear the other side too and the whys behind decisions. Circles could lead to a sense of trust between admin and teachers.

I did give this book three stars though because it sounds great, but implementation seems tricky amongst all the other demands of a 60 minute class period with 32+ kids. Examples seemed to stem from elementary school, high school, and adults— I would have liked to read more about the in between times. Or the times when management, transition, and the classroom culture is thriving.

Maybe I’m just skeptical, but until I’ve gone through some myself, it’s hard for me to get on board to do this with my kids with their own fragile emotions and deeply personal struggles.

[Wendy Espinoza Cotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent primer on the essential components and application of restorative circles. I would recommend this for any educator or administrator who is looking to create safe spaces for students to work through feelings, conflicts, or just to create a more united, positive classroom or school environment.

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like the ideas of restorative and proactive circles. Definitely want to implement in my classroom.

However this book has no business being a book in the first place. It could have accomplished the same thing in 10 pages, and for something claiming to be a “practical manual” it has hardly anything that can be easily referenced or transferred from the book to real life.

Good ideas mediocre organization and writing.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive guide for implementation of restorative circles in schools. Includes strategies for different types of situations, as well as tips to prevent potential pitfalls. After reading this, I am more interested and motivated to implement circles in my school.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of good anecdotes. Acts as a good guide for beginners. A lot of this wisdom is just good teaching/ understanding psychology of people and doesn’t necessarily need to be done in “circles” but decent wisdom nonetheless.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise. Case studies. Broad implications. Specific suggestions.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read.... great practice. I think all administrators should use circles with their staff and all teachers with their students. So many good things can come from restorative circles.

[Yahiaalhmmoud · Rating 5 out of 5]

We strive in the Bunyan organization to spread education reform and raise awareness in the world.
https://bonyan.ngo/en/blog/

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good guide for beginning the process of using circles. Not sure yet how to handle very large classes using this technique.

[Madeline Singleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired to do circles!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, hands-on manual for leading circles in classrooms (or among school staff) to build community, solve problems, spur academic thinking and more.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really accessible read about the use of circles in schools as a way to deliver course content, address conflicts as well as build and maintain a classroom community. I definitely plan to implement some of these elements in my future classroom.