A chat that offers middle school teachers a chance to have a collaborative discussion about a different topic each week. Our topics change from week to week, ranging from Common Core State Standards to Character Education. During the chat, participants exchanges ideas and resources. The chat group ranges in size each week from 10 to 50+ participants. Discussion can be general talking about instructional style or process to specific. Recently members of the chat group help each other create lessons.
I had Restorative Practice training on Tuesday so ... chat is to find experts and hear about experiences ... Moderator is not the expert the room is! #mschat
#mschat Howdy! I'm Alex, a preservice Social Studies/ELA teacher. I attend Texas A&M university and will be participating in today's #mschat over #restorativepractices It's nice to meet you all!
Join the #forsythpln chat Thursday, November 8th at 9pm ET as we discuss some of the many ideas of Cal Newport's book "Deep Work."
His book shares "rules for focused success in a distracted world."
Come join the focused fun! #1stchat#cpchat#ETCoaches#kinderchat#mschat
Hi, my name is Torey. I am not teaching in the field yet however, I am working on my masters now. Very interested in working with middle school students! #mschat
A1: Restorative practice seeks to repair relationships. Restorative practice is a strategy that seeks to repair relationships that have been damaged, including those damaged through bullying. #mschat
A1. Restorative practices enable the offender to restore the harm that they have done to others and to the environment. Provides an opportunity for learning and growing. #mschat
A1-As an approach to resolving an issue where all sides have the opportunity to explain how an event impacted them, how they feel about it and how they have felt since it happened. It is a learning opportunity to repair something that has affected them #mschat
A1: I’ve been to a couple sessions on restorative practices but am definitely still learning! I gather that respect is at the root of how we respond. #mschat
A1-As an approach to resolving an issue where all sides have the opportunity to explain how an event impacted them, how they feel about it and how they have felt since it happened. It is a learning opportunity to repair something that has affected them #mschat
and if we really look at the meaning of discipline it roots in words that mean to teach! SO restorative practices give structures to teach behavior outcomes #mschat
A1: I’ve been to a couple sessions on restorative practices but am definitely still learning! I gather that respect is at the root of how we respond. #mschat
A1: Restorative practices are important when wanting to form and create relationships in the classrooms. They help repair relationships that might have been broken or restore what was once there. These practices consist of teamwork and forgiveness! #mschat
Good Evening! I'm Noam, a pre-service Social Studies teacher in MN. This is my first Twitter Chat, be gentile... Last night our program had a workshop about Restorative Justice so I am excited to learn more! #mschat
#mschat Heard a great approach from an Assistant Principal...created a menu of restorative choices for students to complete in order to avoid suspensions. #Keepkidsinschool
A2 Conversations - take the time to have conversations that seek to understand how their behavior impacted everyone involved (self, peers, teachers, community) #mschat
This is a topic I’m so eager to learn about and I really want it to become a focus for our building in the near future so glad to see all of your comments #mschat
A2 Conversations - take the time to have conversations that seek to understand how their behavior impacted everyone involved (self, peers, teachers, community) #mschat
A2. We talk about restorative practices in almost every conversation with parents. We even engaged the parents in a peace circle at our Principal Coffee Hour. Best response from a parent was that their daughter was starting peace circles at home on the weekend! #mschat
A2: I think you have to be intentional. Think about how you are going to implement restorative practices BEFORE you are in a situation where you need them. The menu idea would be a great way to that. #mschat
A2: We switched from detentions to discipline reviews where we make it more based on relationship, reflection, and setting goals moving forward. We then email those goals and reflections to parents who partner with us as we move forward. #mschat
I had a colleague suggest that the principal keeps a list of tasks that they need help with and then these can be chose when harm has been done to the physical environment #mschat
A2. Conversations are so important! Talk openly with everyone involved, understand the effects of actions, and agree on actions to make things right. #mschat
A2: (cont’d) when Ss are really having to sit and talk through the motives behind decisions you can get to the core of behavior and how to move in a positive direction #mschat
A2: We switched from detentions to discipline reviews where we make it more based on relationship, reflection, and setting goals moving forward. We then email those goals and reflections to parents who partner with us as we move forward. #mschat
A2: We attempt to take heightened emotions out of decision making. In doing so we are hopefully able to create a dialogue with the student and look towards improving behaviors. #mschat
A2: If we look at behavior as communication, what are they telling us? There may be problems we can solve, changes we can make, strategies we can teach. #mschat
A1: Restorative practices are a decentralized way to solve problems. It requires students to take an active part in addressing conflicts. Punitive practices are top-down, and do not teach students problem-solving skills. #mschat
YES, removing emotions from the teacher end helps students see the issue at hand. #mschat It isn't we don't like them it is that their choices have impacted our classroom environment
A2: Switching from punitive to restorative will not look the same in every class. The best method I have seen is to build the relationships which allow students to feel comfortable conversating with you. Taking time to know your students will make the transition easier. #mschat
A2: If we look at behavior as communication, what are they telling us? There may be problems we can solve, changes we can make, strategies we can teach. #mschat
A2: The shift from punitive to restorative starts first w/us as #EduGladiators in our response to Ss behavior. Have to realize Ss misbehavior usually isn’t about us as Ts/Ldrs but their way on communicating something is wrong & they need help. #mschat
A3) So, hearing all of this makes me think I am doing some of these things already! The piece I struggle with is that kids think "talking" to the teacher is a punishment... oh you are in trouble... how do we break that? #mschat
A student recently told me, “You’re so chill about the little stuff.” Yes, yes I am. Because it’s LITTLE. And totally human. Even for adults, but ESPECIALLY for young adolescents. #mschat
A3. Focus on choices. Assure students that a mistake does not make them a bad person. Find appropriate times to have behavior conversations instead of embarrassing students in front of their peers. #mschat
YES! #mschat I have the same concerns.... I start the year off helping define what trouble is and that my goal is to help them avoid trouble (which = referral to office)
A3) So, hearing all of this makes me think I am doing some of these things already! The piece I struggle with is that kids think "talking" to the teacher is a punishment... oh you are in trouble... how do we break that? #mschat
#mschat Suggested RJ mediation format: What happened?
What were you thinking when it happened? (thoughts only)
What were you feeling when it happened? (emotions only)
Who was affected by what happened and how?
What can be done to repair the harm? From @SandyHeiser
We utilize a lot of reflective questions and ask the students “how will you make this right?” If a student doesn’t know, then we will ask them if they’d like to hear how other students have made it right. #mschat
A3) So, hearing all of this makes me think I am doing some of these things already! The piece I struggle with is that kids think "talking" to the teacher is a punishment... oh you are in trouble... how do we break that? #mschat
A3: I always tell students that we all make mistakes, sometimes we don’t think things through, or we have bad days, and that it doesn’t define them. You also have to choose your battles. Not everything is worth the “fight” #mschat
YES, I am the "cool" teacher because I let them go to the bathroom, return to lockers to get what they need ...etc but then sometimes I feel I get taken advantage of #mschat but as long as they are learning
My only thought (not being in the classroom) is making it a daily routine to have students come and talk to you. Allowing students to not see it as a punishment but as a privilege. Maybe "Share with Teacher Moments" JUST A THOUGHT(: #mschat
Parents appreciate the respectful approach to discipline as well. Restorative practices encourage parents to continue the conversation at home and guide their children towards better choices #mschat
A3: I always tell students that we all make mistakes, sometimes we don’t think things through, or we have bad days, and that it doesn’t define them. You also have to choose your battles. Not everything is worth the “fight” #mschat
A3: Long gone are the days of kids being dressed down in hallways for the whole school to hear. Often best strategy is to tell Ss you will speak privately after class. That’s usually enough to stop low level misbehavior. Also Ts proximity helps diffuse w/put undue attn. #mschat
I often tell students we will talk later and then go: "I am strait now Mr Bloch" and then problem solved for the day #mschat Quick checks work for the low level stuff
A4: When we moved toward PBIS, I learned some colleagues thought that meant they couldn’t refer kids to the office anymore. The root of that statement: fear. If that’s how they’re used to disciplining, we need to empower & equip them to thrive under new models. #mschat
We do a lot of things that have some similarities to RJ and we process with kids and use a series of questions including our Acronym to guide the discussion. Honorable Upstanding Supportive Kind Equipped and Respectful. Were you___________ #mschat
A4 Teach behavior as you would content. Take the time to set the expectations, practice, model and follow through with conversations with Ss. Same process you use to teach content - gradual release #mschat
A2: I think one thing to remember is that we as Ts DON'T have to send students up the discipline chain. Even if the school does not have restorative practices, we can try to solve the issue through dialogue before taking the path of referring the student to admin. #mschat
Playing devil's advocate: "The should know how to behave" or This should have worked by now" ? How do you respond to this #mschat (I have an idea but...)
A4: We make the switch by TAKING EXTRA TIME! It is going to take time to make the shift and it starts with switching one thing at a time. Making it a part of your daily routine little by little, when seeing the improvements it will be easier to want to make the change. #mschat
A4: Just as our Ss learn well by modeling so must we afford same priveledge to Ts. We can’t just tell Ts to do restorative practices but if we explain why, train on strategies, push in classes w/application of strategies - success rate of restorative practices increase. #mschat
That means time teaching, time explaining and explaining again. We want to be able to relate it back to their life and what they may understand. Taking time to explain the details, working one-on-one and during breaks. #mschat
When substituting I do the same thing and yes I do feel I get taken advantage of as well. But after a few times, they respect more and want to be in class seeing what "cool" thing we are doing next. #mschat
Exactly! And also have check ins before class w/Ss who need support or even before school can help set the tone for the Ss day. Plus leveraging Advisory effectively can help address behavior & provide platform for restorative practices. #mschat
A5: To educate our stakeholders we need to take the time to model process and share the data that is out there #mschat So parents are still old testament eye for eye tooth for tooth folks
Students recognize the extra time put in and see how relaxed teachers are when they take time. I observe teachers some who make it seem as if a hassle to re-explain something. :( Which makes students not want to ask again = not understanding the material and never will. #mschat
Agreed! Start small, and grow into it. Use Restorative Circles to teach/introduce content. This way, when you need to circle up for something bad, the students are ready for it. #mschat
A5: So we need to realize our parents need support understanding restorative practices plus they need strategies they can apply at home to build consistency of behavioral expectations of Ss. #mschat
A5: I’ve found it’s about educating your parents about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. If you start the year out explaining your system, parents completely buy into it and get your support. #mschat
A5 this is a process that must take time but I think it involves getting the parents involved from day one, we need to be transparent and work hard to explain our why and how it can make kids better more complete people #mschat
Did somebody say parents? Hi!
A5) I’d be surprised to learn that parents would miss suspensions. Just like anything you teach, focus on the learning goals. #mschat
Always! When I got back from @AMLE, I shared pictures, told them about the energy of the presenters ... they said they wanted @rickwormeli2 as a teacher! They know I am always learning, and that I want their input to be a better teacher! #mschat
A5: So we need to realize our parents need support understanding restorative practices plus they need strategies they can apply at home to build consistency of behavioral expectations of Ss. #mschat
Parents of the guilty party aren't upset but we had some kick back from the victims parents when the students is in school the next day #mschat and thanks for joining in parents are so important to Middle Schools
A5: Explaining the how you do it and why you do it, makes the parents see a different side of the problem. Using situations can help the parents understand the purpose and see the end results. Honesty though is key and keeping constant communication with guardians. #mschat
A5: Need the parents to understand some behaviors come from students who WANT to be suspended #mschat Restorative practices keep them in school and students realize that bad behaviors aren't a free ticket home
Thanks for sharing this. For more significant infractions, restorative practices operate side to side with traditional consequences. Restorative practices help to answer the parent question, “how will we make sure that this doesn’t continue?” #mschat
RJ doesn't throw all discipline models out the window. Safety is first but if students show a different path to restoring things not always needed #mschat
A6: Seems to me that PBIS is step one in moving towards a restorative practice system. It starts showing how positive behaviors can improve school's communities #mschat
My training would tell me that there are some non-negotiables. OSS/ISS and other punitive punishment can still be a part of the process, even with RP model. Sometimes too, the RP formal meeting is consequence enough for some. #mschat
It sounds like RJ is positive, doing positive things to restore the "damage" done by a previous choice. It seems to me that this too would add to a more positive school climate. #mschat
PBIS creates the framework for restorative conversations through clear and taught expectations. Restorative practices then address when these expectations are violated #mschat
Bam! Restorative conversations absolutely is a form of a consequence. This seems like the most challenging hurdle for some as they expect a consequence to come in the form of a detention #mschat
My training would tell me that there are some non-negotiables. OSS/ISS and other punitive punishment can still be a part of the process, even with RP model. Sometimes too, the RP formal meeting is consequence enough for some. #mschat
A6: #mschat PBIS influences studnets decision making skills. It helps overtime with transitioning their past behaviors and remarks into positive actions.
As someone who deals with discipline day in and day out, I thoroughly enjoyed this chat, and unfortunately need to bow out since I’m not feeling well, but thank y’all for the dialogue! And thank you @blocht574 for the great questions! #mschat
Parents whose kids make the mistakes are usually supportive it is the victims parents that want blood (understandably at times) that are my concern with RJ programs #mschat but hopefully they can see how it works
Thanks for joining in #mschat We are here every Thursday during the school year ... If you have topics you are interested in or would like to moderate let me know
A5: So we need to realize our parents need support understanding restorative practices plus they need strategies they can apply at home to build consistency of behavioral expectations of Ss. #mschat
A7. We have a fabulous special education cooperative that supports schools with PBIS and SEL. They were great thought partners as we embarked on this process #mschat
