Update on the question: what do you know alot about and how did you get to know it

I mentioned the getting acquainted question in this post.  I gave it a try and was really impressed with how it worked.  Once again the Circle process did not fail me.
It was cute to see the person wearing a t-shirt with a soccer ball on it, say she knew alot about soccer, because she had [...]

Volunteer statements: “every Circle is my favorite”, “I needed this Circle more than anyone here”

Once and awhile I get tired.  I get tired and lonely and frustrated.  I wonder why I am a workaholic and kick myself for doing this to myself.  I keep repeating a cycle.  Then I am in Circle and people say things that catch me off guard.
Suddenly someone is talking about surviving physical abuse as [...]

The purpose of ‘kooky’ in Restorative Justice Circles.

People that participate in Circles with me, become really honest about what they thought at first.  This honest testimony about what people thought about a Circle at first, and what they think now is an endorsement for the process.
The most recent description like this used the term ” kooky“.  It’s been mentioned that they seemed wierd.  One advocate [...]

Restorative Justice allows us to speak with wisdom and real-ness.

One of the phrases I typically say in trainings:  “Nothing new under the sun”.  My point is two-fold.  First Restorative Justice isn’t all that orginal,  its more of the orginal kindness people needed to survive.  It’s as old as the sun itself.  I believe Restorative Justice reconnects us to the past way of relating.
I make [...]

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 [...]

Circle facilitation and the many different options, you’ll have to decide.

Yesterday I posted on some differences between a Restorative Justice Circle – and a Conference.  I made a little graphic, I had some trouble posting it.  You can link here to view it.  http://circlespace.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/circle-elements-jpg.pdf
The blog post has been on my mind.  For one I don’t want to be a critical person.  Yet, I know I am [...]

A Restorative Conference, a Conference Circle and Circle-circle

You may be new to Restorative Justice, if so, the differences between a Circle and a Conference can be somewhat confusing. 
You don’t know, what you don’t know. 
If you have been doing, what you think is a Circle – they you call it Circle.  Maybe that is the best word to describe it.  If a ‘Conference’ [...]

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 [...]

A great ‘Talking Piece’ is about YOU!

I use the book Peacemaking Circles in my University of Wisconsin – River Falls Restorative Justice Courses.  I hadn’t read the book in awhile.  On a side note, I have a cherished copy that Kay Pranis signed for me at my first Circle Training back in 2003.  The books were just out it was exciting [...]

Resovling conflict, restoratively with Circle and 2nd graders – by Catherine

Catherine is a 2nd grade teacher who uses classroom circles.  She is also on staff at SCVRJP.  She has this story to share:
They (20 second graders) came streaming in from lunchtime recess.  Two children were yelling at each other and several others were standing around watching and commenting on the screaming match.  I stepped in [...]