Guide two 4th-grade students through a structured 15-minute restorative chat where they express feelings, understand each other’s perspectives, and collaboratively agree on respectful behaviors while maintaining required distance.
This session helps repair relationship harm, builds empathy, and fosters a positive classroom climate by giving students a safe space to speak and listen.
After each share, the other student paraphrases what they heard to check understanding.
Step 4
4. Collaborative Agreement
3 minutes
Ask: “What can we agree to do to keep each other comfortable and safe in class?”
Brainstorm respectful behaviors and write them down on paper.
Confirm each student agrees and will follow the list.
Step 5
5. Closing & Next Steps
2 minutes
Thank students for honesty and listening.
Remind them of the agreed behaviors and how they’ll signal if they need a break (e.g., using a token).
Let them know you’ll check in briefly each day to support progress.
Slide Deck
Peaceful Paths
A 15-minute restorative chat for two 4th-grade students
• Express feelings
• Understand each other’s view
• Agree on respectful behaviors
Welcome everyone. This session is called “Peaceful Paths.” Explain that we’ll spend 15 minutes in a guided conversation to share feelings, understand each other, and agree on ways to be respectful while keeping our distance.
Session Overview
Objective:
• Share how you feel
• Listen and understand
• Make a plan to stay respectful
Time: 15 minutes in 5 steps
Review the objective and timeline. Emphasize that this is a safe, confidential space.
Why We’re Here
• Repair relationship harm
• Build empathy and understanding
• Foster a positive classroom climate
Explain why we do this: restoring relationships and building empathy leads to a more positive classroom.
Show and name all materials. Explain that Talk Tokens signal whose turn it is to speak.
1. Welcome & Ground Rules
• Sit in your spot, keep distance
• Speak one at a time using a Talk Token
• Listen without interrupting
• Keep our conversation confidential
Invite students to sit in designated spots. Review these ground rules before starting.
2. Check-In with Feelings
• Use the Feelings Meter Chart
• Place a marker or point to your feeling
• Share one word that describes how you feel right now
Display the Feelings Meter Chart. Ask each student to point to or mark how they feel and name their feeling.
3. Perspective Sharing
• Take turns with a Talk Token
• Speaker answers a question
• Listener paraphrases what they heard
Give each student a Talk Token. Model taking turns: speaker holds token, listener paraphrases to check understanding.
Restorative Questions
Use these prompts:
– What happened from your point of view?
– How did that make you feel?
– What was most upsetting?
– What do you need to feel better?
Refer to the Restorative Question Cards. Read each question aloud, letting students respond in turn.
4. Collaborative Agreement
• Brainstorm respectful behaviors:
– e.g., “Give each other space,” “Use quiet voices”
• Write them on paper
• Confirm you both agree to follow them
Guide them to brainstorm specific behaviors that will help them feel safe and respected. List and confirm agreement.
5. Closing & Next Steps
• Thank you for sharing and listening
• Remember our agreed behaviors
• Use your token if you need a break
• Daily check-in to support you
Thank the students for their honesty and effort. Remind them how to use the token for breaks and that you’ll check in daily.
