Incorporating

Community Circles
into the Classroom
HUGO GUILLEN
EAD-523: DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY
STATE AND DISTRICT ACADEMIC STANDARDS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
 Sequential Circle Introduction

 As you find your seat in the circle, we will go around

starting with a volunteer and everyone will answer the

question:

1. What do I know about community circles?

Or

2. What would I like to know about community circles?

Learning Objectives

After this lesson teachers

will be able to:

2. Explain why talking

1. Identify what talking
circles are an effective 3. Successfully implement
circles are in a classroom
student engagement a talking circle
setting
strategy
 1. Sequential Circle Introduction (12 min.)

2. Lecture: What are talking circles? (6 min.)

3. Video: Power of Circles (14 min.)

Agenda 4. Video Debrief: Non-Sequential Circle (10 min.)

5. Think-Pair-Share: What are talking circles? (5 min.)

6. Non-Sequential Discussion (8 min.)

7. Exit Ticket: Sequential Circle (5 min.)

 What are Talking Circles?

 Our students come to school with many issues on

their minds and in their hearts.

 As educators, we can help them process their

thoughts and feelings so they can better handle their

situations and be more present in class.

 What are Talking Circles?

 Restorative circles are a useful practice to do just that.

 While frequently used to replace punitive forms of

discipline, restorative circles are equally important in

proactively building the relationships and skills

students need to support one another and collectively

address the challenges they face. 

 Sequential Circles

 This is a circle in which a question or discussion point is raised,

and students answer in turn, proceeding around the circle in

either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

 A volunteer may offer to go first, answer the question and

choose the direction to proceed (to the volunteer’s left or right).

 The teacher may be the first to answer the question and choose

the direction. Or a teacher may ask a certain student to begin.

Non-Sequential
Circles
Non-sequential circles are more freely
structured than sequential circles.
Conversation proceeds from one
person to another in no fixed order.
This type of circle allows a discussion
to evolve organically and can be used
effectively for problem solving, as
well.
Cores Processes of Restorative Justice Circles
Non-Sequential Circle
Practice
Prompt: What is the
biggest take away from
the video regarding
community circles?
Think-Pair-Share: What are talking circles?

 Find a partner and be prepared to discuss and share

your answers to the following questions:
1. What are talking circles?
2. What types of talking circles can be led?
3. What is the purpose of establishing talking circles?
Sequential Circle Practice

Prompt: What is a
reservation you may have
about using circles in the
classroom?
Putting into
Practice
 As you start the new year,
we will be implementing
community circles in
enrichment classes on
Monday’s and Fridays.
 As team, be ready to
discuss your experiences.
 They can be good, bad, or
anything in-between!
 Remember this is a process
that the students need to
grow into!
Sequential Circle Exit Ticket

What is one thing you want

to know about community
circles or one thing that you
learned about community
circles?
Feedback
 Feedback will be
gathered using a
rating scale survey
that will be given
through
SurveyMonkey by
using a QR code.
Feedback Survey Questions
 References

Northern Illinois University Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning. (2020). Gagné’s nine events of instruction.
In Instructional guide for university faculty and teaching assistants. Retrieved from 
https://www.niu.edu/citl/resources/guides/instructional-guide

Restorative circles in the classroom. IgnitED. (n.d.). Retrieved August 10, 2022, from https://fuelgreatminds.com/
restorative-circles/

SchoolTalk DC. (2021). Introduction to Restorative Justice. YouTube. Retrieved August 10, 2022, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2g7ZuTa-bY

Woerkom, M. van. (2018, March 12). Building community with restorative circles. Edutopia. Retrieved August 10, 2022, from
https://www.edutopia.org/article/building-community-restorative-circles