First published in 2014, Working in Circles in Primary and Secondary Classrooms is a comprehensive manual for anyone wishing to use the circle in their classroom for community building; social skills; democratic decision making or just having fun together as a class. It is a complete guide - saving valuable time in searching for a collection of fun games or resources suitable for primary or secondary classrooms.
This manual covers: The reasons, benefits and methodology of using circles in classrooms; the ways they can be used; and many examples of circle sessions for both primary and secondary classrooms. Circles in schools can build and create a sense of belonging trust loyalty and community-mindedness. Using circles in classrooms as described in this manual can create democratic classrooms where real learning occurs in safe supportive spaces.
About the Authors
As the Director of Behaviour Matters, David is recognized as a world leader in the development of school-based Restorative Practice. He has pioneered the application of Restorative Justice in the classroom, corridor and playground to enhance, promote and repair relationships. David is a well-known presenter with extensive experience in the area of Behaviour Management, both nationally and internationally. He has taught nearly every subject in Tasmanian and Victorian schools and acted in many leading behaviour management roles, including in a range of international schools. David’s expertise and abilities in this area have been recognized at all levels. Over the years he has initiated and supported several student management initiatives that may be regarded by some as being revolutionary. All who have taught with him would agree that he has the ability to ask all educators to think, to examine and to question: Are there better or more beneficial ways of managing students than those we are using at present? David has spent over 40 years working with teachers and students in a variety of diverse educational settings, undertaking and developing a wide range of roles. His classroom experience includes three years as a permanent relief teacher in inner Melbourne, which tested and developed his student management skills. David has a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education in Counselling and Adolescent Development. David is on the committee of the Australian Association of Restorative Justice.
Marg had a long career in teaching. She first began using Circles in classrooms in the early 90’s when questioning the traditional behaviour management policies in schools. In her search for other ways, she discovered the magic of Circle meetings. The democratic thinking behind those early Circles, and their results completely convinced her of the profound impact that they had to transform ordinary classrooms into places where kids cared for one another and collectively solved their problems. Her career took a turn when introduced to restorative practices by Margaret Thorsborne and the effective restorative conversations also occurring in Circles, and then to Kay Pranis and the powerful concept of Peacemaking Circles. She was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2004 to study restorative practices in schools internationally. She was a founding member of both the Victorian Association for Restorative Justice (now AARJ) and Restorative Practices International (RPI). She worked as a private consultant for many years, working in schools, classrooms and organizations wishing to implement restorative practices, or Circles generally. This took her into many classrooms and staff rooms and the privilege of working with many skilled and dedicated teachers. She is now happily retired.
