Responsive Circle Example

Scenario: A teacher came down with the flu and had to take two days off work to recover. While out, the assigned sub contacts the teacher to let him know that the students in the class were very challenging, disrespectful to the sub as well as their fellow classmates, and did not complete the assignments the teacher left for them. In addition, upon the teachers' return he discovered that the smart board in his class was broken.
Purpose of Circle / For students to reflect on their behavior, learn about the personal and school-wide impact of their behavior and make commitments for future behavior when another sub may be needed.
Introduction of Circle to Class / "Good morning class. It's nice to be back and to see you all. As you know I was out the past couple days with a bad case of the flu. I'm feeling much better now. We are going to spend the first part of our class together reflecting on how class went the past couple days. The substitute and I have been in touch and she shared her report with me, but I would also like to hear your report of the past couple days, specifically in relation to behavior and the work that was completed. We are going to place all our chairs in circle because it's really important that each one of you have an opportunity to share."
Circle Guidelines and Agreements / Review the circle guidelines and be sure to open it up for students to make request additional agreements.
Circle Prompts / Circle round 1: What are two words that describe how your day doing is going so far. (allow for a minute of silence for students to come up with their words before beginning)
Circle round 2: Reflecting back on the past couple days in class with the substitute, please take 10 seconds to share a report of how you would summarize how class went in relation to student behavior towards one another and towards the substitute.
Circle round 3: What are two words that you would use to describe your own personal behavior in class these past couple days and briefly say what impact your behavior had on the class and on the larger school community.
Circle round 4: What is the hardest thing about having a substitute teacher in the class?
Circle round 5: What is ONE thing you can personally commit to do in the future to ensure that class remains a positive learning environment for everyone when there is a substitute teacher again?
Closing / Thumbs up/Thumbs down: Run through each of the circles guidelines and ask for thumbs up thumbs down for how well the group respected and followed the guidelines.
Silent High Five: Start a silent high five chain reaction by giving the person next to you a high five and then they give a high five to the person sitting beside them.....and so on all the way around the circle.
THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION.
Scenario: During your class immediately after lunch, you notice the students' behavior is more escalated and excited than usual. You overhear the students talking about a fight that broke out during lunch. The students do not respond positively to your several attempts of redirecting the side conversations and encouragement to focus on the lesson.
Purpose of Circle
Introduction of Circle to Class
Circle Guidelines and Agreements
Circle Prompts
Closing
Scenario:
Purpose of Circle
Introduction of Circle to Class
Circle Guidelines and Agreements
Circle Prompts
Closing