Lesson Plan
Circle of Trust Plan
Guide 5th graders to build empathy and trust through a structured restorative circle where they share feelings, listen actively, and co-create classroom agreements.
Fosters a supportive classroom climate by teaching emotional expression, active listening, and collective responsibility, reducing conflicts and enhancing student connection.
Audience
5th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Facilitated circle with sharing, mapping feelings, and agreement co-creation.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Empathy in Action Slides to familiarize with prompts and visuals
- Read the Facilitator’s Welcome Words to plan a warm opening
- Study the Circle Participation Rubric to understand engagement criteria
- Print one Feelings Web Mapping Activity Sheet per student
- Arrange desks/chairs in a circle and place a talking piece in the center
- Prepare chart paper or whiteboard for listing agreements
Step 1
Welcome & Establish Agreements
10 minutes
- Greet students with the Facilitator’s Welcome Words
- Introduce the circle purpose and explain how the talking piece works
- Ask students to suggest norms for respectful listening and sharing
- Record suggestions on chart paper and reach consensus on final agreements
Step 2
Check-In Sharing
10 minutes
- Pass the talking piece around the circle; each student shares one word about how they feel today
- Encourage peers to listen without interrupting, using the Circle Participation Rubric as a guide
- Model active listening behaviors and reinforce positive examples
Step 3
Feelings Web Mapping
10 minutes
- Distribute the Feelings Web Mapping Activity Sheet
- Instruct students to draw themselves in the center and connect to words or symbols representing their feelings
- After completing the map, pair students to share their web and explain their connections
Step 4
Co-Create Classroom Agreements
10 minutes
- Reconvene the whole circle and ask: “What helps you feel safe and respected when sharing?”
- Use student ideas plus insights from the Feeling Webs to draft 3–5 classroom agreements
- Write agreements visibly and ask students to affirm by thumbs-up
Step 5
Closing Reflection
5 minutes
- Invite one final comment on how students feel about the agreements and circle process
- Remind students they can refer to the agreements daily
- Thank everyone for participating and model closing with a collective clap
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Slide Deck
Empathy in Action
Today’s Restorative Circle
• Build empathy
• Practice active listening
• Co-create classroom agreements
Welcome students warmly. Introduce the slide deck title and remind them why we’re here—to build empathy and trust as a class.
Circle Purpose & Talking Piece
• We gather in a circle to share and listen
• Hold the talking piece when it’s your turn
• Speak honestly and listen respectfully
Explain that in a circle, every voice matters and only the person holding the talking piece speaks. Emphasize respect and turn-taking.
Check-In Sharing
When you get the talking piece, share one word that describes how you feel today.
Model by sharing your own feeling word first, then invite a volunteer. Reinforce that peers should listen silently.
Feelings Web Mapping
- Draw yourself in the center
- Add words or symbols around you for your feelings
- Connect each feeling back to you with lines
Walk students through each step. Show an example drawing if possible. Circulate and support students who need help.
Pair & Share
Turn to a partner and explain:
• Why you chose these feelings
• How they connect to your day
Pair quieter students with more confident ones. Encourage students to ask follow-up questions about their partner’s web.
Co-Create Agreements
What helps you feel safe and respected when sharing?
Let’s list 3–5 classroom agreements together.
Collect student suggestions on chart paper or whiteboard. Aim for 3–5 clear, positive agreements.
Closing Reflection
• How do you feel about our agreements?
• Remember and follow these every day
Thank you for sharing!
Invite one or two final comments. Reinforce that these agreements guide daily behavior. Close with a collective clap.
Script
Facilitator’s Welcome Words
Teacher: Hello, everyone! Please come in and find a seat in our circle. I’m so glad to see each of you here today.
Teacher: Today we’re going to gather in what we call a restorative circle. In this circle, our goals are to:
• Build empathy by sharing how we feel
• Practice active listening so each person feels heard
• Co-create agreements that help us all feel safe and respected
Teacher: This is our talking piece. (Hold up the talking piece.) When you have the talking piece, it’s your turn to speak—and everyone else listens silently. When you’re finished, you pass it to the next person.
Teacher: Before we begin, let’s decide how we’ll treat each other. What can we do to show respect when someone else has the talking piece and is sharing?
[Pause. Invite 3–4 student ideas. Jot each idea on chart paper or a whiteboard.]
Teacher (summarizing): I love these suggestions:
- Keep our eyes on the speaker
- Use kind words and tone
- Listen without interrupting
- Encourage with nods and smiles
Teacher: Does everyone agree these will help us feel safe and respected? Show me a thumbs-up if you agree!
Teacher: Great. We have our circle agreements. Let’s follow these today—and every day—when we gather.
Teacher: Now we’re ready for our first sharing activity, our check-in. We’ll each share one word about how we feel today. I’ll start by sharing my word, then I’ll pass the talking piece to the person on my right.
Teacher: My word is “curious.” (Pass the talking piece.)
Activity
Feelings Web Mapping Activity Sheet
Today, we’ll make a Feelings Web to explore how different emotions connect to you.
Step 1: Draw Yourself
• In the circle below, draw a picture of yourself.
◯
/|\
/ \<br/><br/><br/>**Step 2: Add Your Feelings**
• Around your picture, write or sketch 4–6 feelings words or symbols that describe how you feel today.
• Draw a line from each word/symbol back to you.
- Feeling or symbol: ____________________
- Feeling or symbol: ____________________
- Feeling or symbol: ____________________
- Feeling or symbol: ____________________
- (Optional) ____________________________
- (Optional) ____________________________
Space for drawing your web:
Step 3: Reflect & Share
• With your partner, explain:
- Why you chose these feelings
- How each feeling connects to something in your day
Partner’s Name: ____________________
One thing I learned from my partner:
Great job! Keep this sheet to remember how talking about feelings helps us feel heard and connected.
Rubric
Circle Participation Rubric
Use this rubric during our restorative circle to guide and assess participation. Each criterion is scored on a scale from 4 (Exemplary) to 1 (Beginning).
| Criteria | 4 – Exemplary | 3 – Proficient | 2 – Developing | 1 – Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respectful Speaking | Speaks clearly, uses respectful language, and shares insights without interrupting others. | Uses polite language, stays on topic, and rarely interrupts. | Sometimes uses appropriate language but occasionally interrupts or strays off topic. | Uses disrespectful words or frequently interrupts peers. |
| Active Listening | Maintains eye contact, nods, and offers thoughtful nonverbal/verbal cues that show understanding. | Shows listening through eye contact and occasional nods. | Occasionally makes eye contact but sometimes seems distracted. | Rarely attends to the speaker and shows no listening cues. |
| Talking Piece Management | Passes the talking piece promptly and follows turn-taking smoothly. | Passes the talking piece with minimal delay. | Occasionally delays in passing the talking piece. | Frequently forgets to pass the talking piece or holds up the process. |
| Positive Engagement | Encourages peers, builds on others’ ideas, and contributes actively throughout the circle. | Participates regularly and shows encouragement to peers. | Participates when prompted but seldom encourages others. | Rarely participates and does not engage with peers’ contributions. |