Restorative Justice in school settings – promotes learning by engagement.

Do you pay much attention to issues you feel are not relevant?  Some people find world politics relevant.  For some people cancer research is relevant.  It all has to do with your unique views of yourself and where you belong.
Using restorative justice in schools, helps every student find the classroom community relevant. 
Let me clarify I [...]

Great, brief video on Elementary School – Restorative Justice

Kudos to my friends in Michigan – they are doing some great stuff and this video is an excellent example!  They are also on FACEBOOK! 
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUA1AVf1SqI]

Responding to ‘restorative justice’ doesn’t work in schools.

Dr Hillary Cremin, a former teacher from Cambridge University is getting attention for saying Restorative Justice in schools doesn’t work.  I don’t really see a great deal of why or how she knows this.  I think there might be more evidence that status quo wasn’t working.  Just my perspective . . .
To read the article [...]

Distracting Circlekeeper technique and suggestions for being centered.

This happened a few years ago, but for some reason it popped in my head recently.  I remember it vividly, and I was thinking how amazing it was that the Circle went well despite the Circlekeeper.
Maybe it was me, but I want to share the story to offer you some learning about your Circlekeeping.
Let me [...]

School-Based Restorative Justice – Training Opportunity

FOUR full days of Restorative Justice in Schools – August 3 – 6 River Falls Wisconsin.
STAR Academy sponsored by CESA 11.  To register:  http://www.cesa11.k12.wi.us/prodev/star.cfm
The training will be interactive and fun.  Featuring guest speakers and opportunities to develop your skills!
Please join me!  Call or email with any questions.  715-425-1100 or scvrjp@gmail.com.
 
Hope to see you there!
 

Circle-keeping brings the best of who we are right to the surface.

Catherine and I got to spend some time together, we caught up by sharing stories about Circles.  I am a high energy and passionate person.  Catherine is a dedicated, professional and energetic teacher.  She’s been learning, using and sharing her experiences of Circles in her Classroom.    You can search ‘Catherine’ on this blog and read [...]

Second graders solving problems, with Circle process.

Catherine teaches and engages students with School-based Restorative Justice and Classroom Circles.  She shares this story:
 
Another problem solving circle today in second grade.
Students came in from the playground today after noon recess upset with the behavior of two classmates. It turns out that two youngsters were teasing and chasing one of the shy children from [...]

Another example of School-based Restorative Justice, elementary Circle story

Here is another story of School-based Restorative Justice.  Catherine has been teaching for over 20 years and has found Restorative Justice Circles to be  powerful and effective addition to her classroom and teaching!  This story is another highlight of the wonderful outcomes. 
After you read this, imagine for a moment, if the formal approach was [...]

Elementary Classroom – Talking Pieces

Post by Catherine, classroom teacher and circlekeeper.

Talking peices come in many shapes and sizes in my classroom.  Children bring items to share and leave them on the shelf to use as talking pieces. We have MN Gopher stuffed animals, Gopher pucks, Wild pucks, Gopher hats, flowers, Snoopy ornaments, coins from a variety of countries, baseball [...]

How to deal with Zero Tolerance Policies.

I almost forgot I gave you a list of questions and I said I would address them.  The question of how to deal with Zero Tolerance was presented.
Here’s how I operate, it seems to be successful, you may consider trying it.  Okay, it’s not totally me, it’s the idea of PRIMARY, SECONDARY and TERTIARY Prevention [...]