Circle of Trust Script

Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good afternoon, everyone! Welcome to our first Circle of Trust meeting. Today we’re going to get to know each other and start building some trust so that we can all feel safe sharing in the weeks ahead."

Teacher: "First, please take a name tag sticker and a colorful marker. On the sticker, write your name and draw a symbol that represents something you enjoy. This could be a hobby, favorite food, or anything that’s important to you."

Teacher: "Once you’re done, stick the name tag on your shirt. We’ll go around the circle and share your name and why you chose your symbol. I’ll go first to model sharing."

Teacher: "My name is Ms. Lenny, and this little book I drew shows that I love reading because it helps me relax. Now, let’s begin with the person to my left—please share when you’re ready."

Opening Discussion (7 minutes)

Teacher: "Thank you all for sharing. That was a great start! Next, let’s talk about why we’re here and how we want to treat each other."

Teacher: "Our goal is to create a safe space where everyone feels respected and heard. That means we agree on three group norms: keep what’s said here confidential, listen respectfully, and don’t interrupt when someone else is speaking."

Teacher: "I’m going to point to each norm—when I do, say ‘I agree.’"
(Teacher gestures to norms displayed on the Feelings Poster Printouts.)

Teacher: "Why is it important to feel safe when talking about our feelings? Who would like to share first?"

Potential follow-up: "Can you tell us more about how feeling safe helps you open up?"

Circle of Trust Activity (15 minutes)

Teacher: "Now, we’ll play our Circle of Trust game using the Yarn Talking Piece and Icebreaker Question Cards. We’ll sit in a circle. When you hold the yarn end, you have the talking piece—you get to speak. Then you pass the ball of yarn to someone else."

Teacher: "I’ll start by picking a question."
(Teacher draws a card.)
Teacher: "My question is, ‘What is one thing that makes you feel calm?’ For me, listening to music makes me feel calm. Now I will hold this end of the yarn and toss the ball to someone else."

Teacher: "Please catch the yarn, pick a card, read it out loud, share your answer, then hold your end of the yarn and toss to the next person. Let’s continue until everyone has shared. Remember to listen respectfully and keep our space safe."

Cool-Down (3 minutes)

Teacher: "We’re almost finished. Think of one word that describes how you’re feeling after today’s session."

Teacher: "Let’s go around the circle. When it’s your turn, just share your one word."

Teacher: "Thank you for sharing your feelings. Please gather the yarn ball back to the center."

Teacher: "Great work today! I appreciate your honesty and respect. Next session, we’ll start learning self-regulation and coping skills. Have a great rest of your day!"

Name & Symbol Warm-Up

Time: 5 minutes

Materials: Name Tag Stickers, Colorful Markers

Instructions:

• Hand out one Name Tag Sticker and one Colorful Marker to each student
• Ask students to write their name clearly and draw a small symbol that represents something they enjoy (a hobby, favorite food, sport, etc.) on their sticker
• Give students about 3 minutes to complete their name tag and symbol
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Once finished, have students place the sticker on their shirt and form a circle
• Teacher models first: “My name is Ms. Lenny, and I drew a book symbol because I love reading.”
• Go around the circle: each student shares their name and explains what their symbol means in one or two sentences
• Encourage students to listen actively and use eye contact; keep shares brief to allow everyone a turn

Group Norms Discussion

Time: 7 minutes
Objective: Co-create a safe, respectful space where everyone feels heard and supported.
Materials: Feelings Poster Printouts, chart paper or whiteboard, markers

1. Purpose & Introduction (1 minute)

• Teacher: “We’re here to decide how we’ll treat each other so everyone can feel safe sharing. These are called group norms.”
• Display three suggested norms:

1. Confidentiality (what’s said here stays here)
2. Respectful listening (one speaker at a time)
3. No interrupting

Teacher: “We’ll start with these and build on them together. Do you agree to these?”
Students: “I agree.”

2. Think-Pair-Share (4 minutes)

Prompt A: “Why is it important to keep our conversations confidential?”

Potential follow-up: “Can you share an example of a situation where confidentiality matters?”

Prompt B: “What does respectful listening look like? How can we show someone we’re really hearing them?”

Potential follow-up: “How might it feel if someone isn’t listening?”

Prompt C: “If someone interrupts or breaks a norm, what can we do to help everyone get back on track?”

Potential follow-up: “Who could remind the group kindly about the norm?”

3. Group Share & Finalize (2 minutes)

• Invite pairs to share one key idea from each prompt and record responses on chart paper.
• Teacher summarizes and asks: “Are these our final norms? Anything to add?”
• Students give a thumbs-up or suggest one more norm if needed.

Closure:
Teacher: “Great work! These norms will guide us every session and help us build trust.”

Yarn Circle Activity

Time: 15 minutes
Objective: Build trust and practice active listening by sharing personal responses while creating a web of connection.
Materials: Yarn Talking Piece, Icebreaker Question Cards

Instructions:

1. Arrange chairs in a circle so everyone can see each other.
2. Place the Icebreaker Question Cards face-down in the center.
3. Explain the yarn rules: whoever holds the yarn end has the talking piece and the floor.
4. Teacher starts: pick a card, read it aloud (e.g., “What helps you feel calm?”), share briefly, then hold one end of the yarn and gently toss the ball to another student.
5. Student turns: catch the yarn, hold your end, draw a card, read the prompt aloud, share your answer (~30 seconds), then toss the ball (while holding your yarn) to someone who hasn’t shared.
6. Continue until every student has shared and a visible web of yarn connects the group.

Facilitator Tips & Potential Follow-Up Prompts:

• Encourage concise sharing to ensure everyone has time.
• If a student hesitates, invite them gently: “You can pass if you’d like, or take a moment—whichever feels right.”
• To deepen sharing, ask: “Can you tell us more about why that helps you feel calm?”
• Reinforce group norms: confidentiality, respectful listening, and no interrupting.

Word Reflection Cool-Down

Time: 3 minutes
Objective: Help students process their emotions and provide a quick exit ticket on how they feel.

Instructions:

• Ask each student to think silently of one word that describes how they feel after today’s session.
  
  
  
• Going around the circle, have each student share their word aloud.
• Optional (if time allows): invite a volunteer to explain why they chose their word.
• After all have shared, thank everyone for their honesty and respectful listening.
• Gather the Yarn Talking Piece back to the center and remind students of the focus for next session on self-regulation and coping skills.

Icebreaker Question Cards

Cut along the lines. Place cards face-down in a pile. On your turn, draw one card, read it aloud, and share your response.

What helps you feel calm when you’re stressed?

Share a hobby or interest you enjoy and why.

Describe a time you felt proud of yourself.

Name one activity that makes you laugh or smile.

What is one place where you feel safe?

When you feel upset, what is one thing you do to feel better?

What is a small goal you have for this group or this school year?

Share one thing you appreciate about being part of a team or group.

If you could teach the group one skill you’re good at, what would it be?

What emotion word best describes how you feel right now?

Describe a time someone showed you kindness.

What is one new thing you’d like to learn this year?