Circles

A circle is a different way of having a conversation. Participants sit in a circle, use a talking piece, and follow agreed upon guidelines with a focus by everyone on a single idea or question.

Why We Use Circles

Circles create a safe environment for everyone to participate in a structured way, particularly those who have been marginalized or might not typically speak up. Circles slow down conversations so we can really listen to each other creating an opportunity to share and hear new perspectives, build understanding, solve problems, and create community.

“Community Building Circles created an environment where students and staff could build unique relationships that allowed barriers to be broken down and meaningful change to happen within the school.”
— Teacher

Circle Practice incorporates three key elements:

The talking piece: to make clear who has permission to speak

The guidelines: created by the group to set expectations for behavior

The keeper: a facilitator for the process who is also a member of the group

For a full description of the Circle Process, download our guide.

Community Building and Academic Circles teach and provide practice in relationship-building, perspective-taking, and other social-emotional skills vital to learning content and being in community.

Conference Circles lean on the skills learned in Community Building and Academic Circles to repair harm and restore relationships when needed. 

Where are circles happening?

Indigenous communities around the world have been using RJ and RP consistently throughout time. You can learn more about the Indigenous history that lies behind what is now known as RJ on our Land Acknowledgement page. Across the United States and in other parts of the world, Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices are being utilized in schools, police departments, courts and in communities. New Zealand and Canada have adopted RJ and RP widely. California, Colorado, and Massachusetts are among many states using both RJ and RP in the US.

Read more about Circles in our blog

Blog
Leading with Connection: How Restorative Circles Transform School Culture and Student Behavior
Circles, Building connection, Classroom Learning
Leading with Connection: How Restorative Circles Transform School Culture and Student Behavior
Circles, Building connection, Classroom Learning

Circles are not a warm-up or a side activity. They’re essential infrastructure. When we create space for students and educators to connect, reflect, and be human together, we grow the conditions for deep learning and joyful community.

Circles, Building connection, Classroom Learning
Restorative Practices at Home: Raising Resilient Kids Through Connection and Curiosity
restorative language, Building connection, Discipline, Circles, Community Resiliency, families
Restorative Practices at Home: Raising Resilient Kids Through Connection and Curiosity
restorative language, Building connection, Discipline, Circles, Community Resiliency, families

Restorative Practices help to build, maintain, and repair relationships between individuals living, working and functioning as a community. They foster communication and increase mutual understanding and empathy, leading to an overall sense of connection and increasing the capacity to handle conflict in a way that promotes growth and repairs relationships. 

restorative language, Building connection, Discipline, Circles, Community Resiliency, families
Building Capacity to Address Conflict and Create Community Resiliency
Restorative Practices, Capacity Building, Community Building, Community Resiliency, Circles
Building Capacity to Address Conflict and Create Community Resiliency
Restorative Practices, Capacity Building, Community Building, Community Resiliency, Circles

In some cases, our focus becomes to teach Restorative Practices skills to a small group of individuals within the community, so that they are empowered to use these tools as needed going forward. This is capacity building: the process of developing a community’s ability to address issues in a way that will help them fulfill their mission.

Restorative Practices, Capacity Building, Community Building, Community Resiliency, Circles
The Role of the Circle Keeper
Circles
The Role of the Circle Keeper
Circles

What does it mean to be a Circle Keeper? What do they do and why are they important? In Restorative Practices, both talking circles and circles to address harm are facilitated by a Circle Keeper who is responsible for guiding the group through a process that helps all feel comfortable participating and directs the conversation toward its intended purpose.

Circles