Author Description

<p>Utilize restorative practices to create a safe, accepting, and equitable school climate where learning can flourish.</p> <p>When students have unfinished learning, educators create opportunities for students to learn. Unfortunately, this role seems to end when it comes to behavior. How can we turn behavior into a teachable moment?</p> <p>The Restorative Practices Playbook details a set of practices designed to teach prosocial behaviors based on strong relationships and a commitment to the well-being of others. Implementing restorative practices establishes a positive academic and social-emotional learning environment while building students’ capacity to self-regulate, make decisions, and self-govern—the very skills students need to achieve. In this eye-opening, essential playbook, renowned educators Dominique Smith, Douglas Fisher, and Nancy Frey support educators with the reflection prompts, tools, examples, and strategies needed to create restorative practices around several key concepts:</p> <ul> <li>A restorative school culture, grounded in respect, that builds agency and identity, establishes teacher credibility, sets high expectations, and fosters positive relationships</li> <li>Restorative conversations that equip adults and students with the capacity to resolve problems, make decisions, and arrive at solutions in ways that are satisfactory and growth-producing</li> <li>Restorative circles that promote academic learning through dialogue, build consensus in decision making, and help participants reach resolution through healing</li> <li>Formal restorative conferences that foster guided dialogue between victim(s) and offender(s) and include plans for re-entry into the school community</li> </ul> <p>By becoming adept in the skillful use of restorative practices, educators will foster equitable discipline that reduces exclusion and creates a school community driven by relationships and respect.</p>