First Day of School Circle: How to Start the Year Restoratively

There is so much to think about when getting ready for your first day of school with your class. You are thinking about your classroom setup, trying to create an inviting space. Maybe you're making posters and name tags, setting up your library, and getting student supplies ready. You are probably re-evaluating your classroom expectations and procedures to make things run more smoothly. So many schools are considering running classroom circles but it is hard to know where to start.

I created a video and a super simple downloadable script available in my store so you can run your very first circle of the year.

Here are some tips for running a successful FIRST Circle!

1. Create the Space

Maybe it’s obvious, but before you run your circle, you first have to make sure you have an area in your classroom free of furniture where students can sit and see everyone. In elementary school this can often be done on your carpet area. In middle and high school most teachers train their students to quickly move desks aside and create a circle with chairs. It doesn’t have to be a perfect circle - as long as everyone can see each other you are golden! It might take a few tries, but with the help of some music and a timer you can create a fun challenge and eventually have a circle routine that will transform your room set up into a circle in less than one minute.

So, once you get the students circled up, what do you say? 

1. Keep it Simple

A First Day of School circle is really just meant to introduce students to the idea of circles by first letting them experience one. Without going into too much explanation on rules or guidelines, or giving them a  lecture on the indigenous roots of circles, On the first day, just give them a chance to sit and participate in a circle. That way they'll have a frame of reference so  that later you can explain the purpose of a circle, the expectations and guidelines, and  how you will be using them in your class.  

On the first day, just give kids an opportunity to see each other, pass the talking piece around to speak, and share their answers.

1. Start with LOW-RISK Questions

You don’t want to start the year by asking questions that require a lot of vulnerability. Start with easy questions like, “What is one thing you are looking forward to this year?” “What do you want to know about your teacher(s) ?” or for younger students, you can ask “Who is a friend at school that you know you can count on?” and “What is your favorite part of your school day?”

1. Make it FUN!

If YOU are having fun, the students will too! To make it even more fun, you can add an icebreaker or game - but you can also keep it short and straightforward.  Even if you feel a bit nervous, try to relax and let them know that you really like them and want to know them. Be transparent with the students and laugh at mistakes or if things don’t go the way you planned. Make a commitment to make the circles run better and better this year!

By experiencing a circle on the first day of school, students will begin to get to know each other better, become comfortable with the circle structure, and have a positive association with it moving forward.  

There is no single right way to run your first day of school circle. 

Don’t worry about making this a perfect experience - you won’t do them any harm. Just keep your questions lighthearted, positive, and simple.

If you would like a copy of the First Day of School Circle Script that I created, go to our store!

Comment below, let us know what other first day of school activities you do to create a welcoming classroom!