lenny

Ready to Circle Up?

user image

Lesson Plan

Circle Launch Blueprint

Students will learn and practice restorative circle norms by engaging in interactive activities that promote community, active listening, and respect. They will introduce themselves, share through games, and reflect to set a positive tone for future circles.

Restorative circles foster trust, empathy, and communication. Introducing these practices early builds a supportive classroom climate and equips students with social-emotional skills essential for collaboration and conflict resolution.

Audience

5th Grade Class

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Use interactive games and guided circle discussions to introduce norms and build community.

Materials

Circle Time Intro Slides, Name & Gesture Game Instructions, Pass the Ball Check-In Activity Guide, and One-Word Exit Ticket Template

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Setup

2 minutes

  • Greet students warmly as they enter and invite them to sit in a circle.
  • Ensure seating allows everyone to see each other and the projected slides.
  • Briefly explain that today’s session will help build community and shared classroom norms.

Step 2

Introduce Restorative Circles

3 minutes

  • Display the first 2–3 slides from Circle Time Intro Slides to define restorative practices.
  • Explain the purpose: community building, respectful listening, and safe sharing.
  • Collaboratively establish 2–3 simple circle norms (e.g., speak with respect, listen without interrupting).

Step 3

Warm-Up: Name & Gesture Game

8 minutes

  • Explain the game using the Name & Gesture Game Instructions.
  • Model: say your name with a gesture; have the group repeat name and gesture twice.
  • Go around the circle, allowing each student to introduce themselves and choose a gesture.

Step 4

Check-In Activity: Pass the Ball

10 minutes

  • Introduce the Pass the Ball Check-In Activity Guide.
  • Students pass a soft ball; when they catch it, they share a response to a prompt (e.g., favorite hobby).
  • Continue until most students have had a turn, fostering listening and turn-taking.

Step 5

Cool-Down: One-Word Exit Ticket

5 minutes

  • Distribute the One-Word Exit Ticket Template to each student.
  • Ask students to write one word describing how they feel after today’s circle.
  • Collect tickets as students exit to gauge feelings and guide future sessions.

Step 6

Reflection & Closing

2 minutes

  • Thank students for their participation and respectful engagement.
  • Highlight observations of positive listening and creativity.
  • Inform students about the next circle session and encourage them to think of topics to share.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Welcome to Our Circle

• Today we’ll learn about restorative circles.
• We’ll share, listen, and have fun getting to know each other.
• Let’s all see each other and speak from the heart.

Welcome students and introduce today’s session. Explain that we’re gathering in a circle to build community and learn how to share respectfully.

What Are Restorative Practices?

Restorative practices help us:
• Build trust and understanding
• Talk through problems together
• Make sure everyone feels heard

Define restorative practices in simple terms and invite a quick show of hands if they’ve ever had to solve a problem by talking it out.

Why Do We Use Circles?

• Create a safe space for sharing
• Practice respectful listening
• Strengthen our classroom community

Describe why circles are used in classrooms and communities. Invite one or two students to share why listening is important.

Circle Norms

  1. Speak with respect
  2. Listen without interrupting
  3. Pass the talking piece when it’s your turn

Present the norms and ask students to repeat or give thumbs-up if they agree. Keep it interactive.

Ready to Begin?

• Remember our norms
• Stand or sit in the circle
• Let’s start with our Name & Gesture Game!

Transition into your first circle activity. Encourage students to remember norms as they participate.

lenny

Warm Up

Name & Gesture Game (Warm-Up)

Time: 8 minutes
Objective: Help students learn and remember each other’s names through movement and gesture, building energy and community in the circle.
Materials: None—the circle space is your stage.

Instructions

  1. Teacher Model (1 minute)

    • Ask everyone to turn their chairs so they face you.
    • Demonstrate: “My name is Mr. Lenny,” while making a simple, memorable gesture (e.g., a big wave or pretend piano‐playing motion).
    • Invite students to repeat your name and gesture twice in unison.

  2. Group Practice (2 minutes)

    • Explain: when each student’s turn comes, they will state their name and add a unique gesture.
    • The circle repeats each name + gesture twice before moving on.

  3. Round-Robin Introductions (4 minutes)

    • Start with a student to your right.
    • That student says their name, performs their gesture, and the group echoes name + gesture twice.
    • Go around the circle until every student has introduced themselves.

  4. Reflection & Reinforcement (1 minute)

    • After everyone’s had a turn, ask students to call out one favorite name-gesture they remember (without calling anyone’s name).
    • Invite the original student to stand and perform their gesture again for extra energy.

Teacher Tips

  • Encourage students to choose gestures that are safe, simple, and visible (e.g., clapping, a thumbs-up, a spinning finger).
  • Amplify enthusiasm: cheer and clap after each introduction to boost confidence.
  • If time allows, repeat the circle in reverse order—this deepens recall and gives a second turn.

Variations

  • Partner Swap: After the first round, have students pair up, exchange names/gestures, then introduce their partner’s name + gesture to the group.
  • Memory Challenge: Mid‐circle, ask a student to volunteer a name and gesture of someone who went before them; this adds playful recall practice.

Enjoy building community and energy before diving into your circle session!

lenny
lenny

Activity

Pass the Ball Check-In (Activity)

Time: 10 minutes
Objective: Give every student a turn to share and practice respectful listening by passing a soft ball around the circle.

Materials:

  • A soft ball or designated talking piece
  • (Optional) Prompt cards with questions

Instructions

  1. Revisit Norms (1 min)
    • Remind students of circle norms: speak with respect, listen without interrupting, and pass the talking piece when it’s your turn.

  2. Demonstrate (1 min)
    • Show how to hold the ball and speak: “When you have the ball, share your answer. Then gently pass it to the next person.”

  3. Begin Passing (8 min)
    • Start by tossing or handing the ball to a volunteer.
    • When each student catches the ball, they share a response to one of the prompts below.
    • After sharing, they pass the ball to someone who hasn’t spoken yet.
    • Continue until time is up or most students have had a turn.

Prompt Ideas

• What’s your favorite hobby and why?



• Name one thing you did over the weekend.



• Describe something you’re looking forward to this week.



• If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?



• Share one goal you have for this school year.


Teacher Tips

  • Encourage Eye Contact: Remind students to look at the speaker and give them full attention.
  • Support Quiet Voices: Gently prompt quieter students by saying, “We’d love to hear from you next.”
  • Time Checks: If time is running short, note who hasn’t shared and invite them first next time.
  • Variation: For a faster pace, introduce two balls and have pairs share simultaneously with brief responses.

Enjoy fostering listening skills and community connections through this simple, engaging check-in activity!

lenny
lenny

Cool Down

One-Word Exit Ticket (Cool-Down)

Time: 5 minutes
Objective: Quickly gauge student feelings and reflections on today’s circle.

Instructions

  1. Hand each student a One-Word Exit Ticket template.
  2. Ask students to think about how they feel after today’s circle.
  3. Write one word that describes that feeling.
  4. Collect tickets as students leave.

Your Turn:
Write one word that describes how you feel after today’s circle:


(Optional) Draw a quick face or icon that matches your word:





lenny
lenny