My first discussion circle!

I have always supported looping in Middle Schools based on my own experience. Throughout this first month of school, I have come to realize why looping is so great. I hit the ground running with my 8th grade class, we already know each other, they know my expectations and I know theirs, and we have already bonded as a class. My 7th grade group understandably does not have that same feel yet. We have actually struggled with creating a classroom environment where everyone feels safe and supported, while accomplishing my lesson goals.

Last week I went to a 2hr seminar about Restorative Justice hosted by the administrators from Messalonskee Middle School. The whole topic really intrigued me and I can't wait for the next session as well as to do more research on my own. After a particularly discouraging day this week I reflected about the discussion circles that they briefly introduced us to at the R.J. meeting last week (also after burning off some much needed steam at the gym). During the first week of school, we had our students create a classroom contract of what they thought was necessary to have the most succesful school year ever. Topping the list is "Be Respectful" and "Be Prepared", I decided that even though I did not have much training with Restorative Justice, I was going to give it a try.

I had the students physically move the tables and set up a cirlce with their chairs. I told them that I honostly didn't know how it was going to go, but I was giving it a shot and would appreciate if they did too (I was rather nervous about the uncertainty). I got out a giant di that I use for math activities and said that whoever was holding the di was the only one allowed to talk and everyone else needed to be looking at the person who had it. Those were really the only instructions I gave (which was also hard for me).We looked over the class contract and then I posed the general question of how we were doing with it. The students then started asking for the di and were opening up to each other. The students then even started asking for some "rules" of the circle. They wanted to make sure their thoughts were confidential among the group and no one would judge or laugh if it wasn't appropriate.. I was amazed that they were sharing the talking rights equally among all their classmates and not throwing it back to the same people. I cut this experiment off after I thought the students shared enough of how it was going and what we could do to fix it. Overall, I was very pleased with how it turned out.

Later on that day the students' asked for the di back and are they are now looking up sign language for please, thank you, yes, and no to try to make this process go smoothly. I am also abiding by our new class standard which is great! It is forcing me to let them control conversation and help each other out rather than me.