7 Best Restorative Justice Circles Kits For Schools

When a child returns home upset after a playground conflict, parents often realize that emotional regulation is just as vital as academic success. Implementing restorative justice circles in a school setting provides children with the vocabulary to address harm, repair relationships, and build a sense of community. Choosing the right toolkit helps educators and parents bridge the gap between abstract emotional concepts and tangible, daily practice.

Circle Forward: A Complete Guide for School Communities

Schools often struggle with the transition from traditional discipline to restorative practices, leaving teachers feeling unsupported. Circle Forward serves as a foundational roadmap, moving beyond simple activities to address the underlying philosophy of restorative justice. It provides a comprehensive curriculum that helps school leaders implement systemic change across all grade levels.

This resource is best suited for schools in the early stages of adopting restorative culture. It offers a structured scope and sequence that ensures children, from kindergartners to middle schoolers, encounter age-appropriate lessons. Investing in this guide creates a common language for staff and students alike.

The Peacemaking Circles Kit: Best for Building Trust

Middle school years are marked by shifting social hierarchies and increased peer conflict, making trust-building an essential priority. The Peacemaking Circles Kit offers structured, reflective exercises that move beyond superficial icebreakers. It prioritizes the psychological safety required for adolescents to share their true perspectives without fear of judgment.

By focusing on deep listening and empathy, this kit helps teens navigate the complexities of interpersonal relationships. It is an excellent choice for guidance counselors or advisors who need a robust framework for long-term social-emotional development. The goal is to move students from reactive behavior to thoughtful dialogue.

Restorative Justice Toolbox: Practical Props and Cards

Younger children, particularly those aged 5 to 9, often struggle to articulate their feelings during a conflict. This toolbox provides physical, visual aids that make abstract restorative concepts concrete and approachable. Tactile props help ground students who might feel overwhelmed by the intensity of a circle discussion.

These kits are ideal for classroom teachers who need a “grab-and-go” solution for minor daily disputes. They reduce the cognitive load on children by offering visual prompts that guide them through the restorative process step-by-step. Keep this set accessible to minimize disruption during busy school days.

IIRP Restorative Circles Set: Best for Staff Training

Implementing restorative justice is rarely successful if the staff lacks the confidence to facilitate effectively. The IIRP Restorative Circles Set is less of a student kit and more of a professional development essential. It emphasizes the “why” behind the practice, helping teachers understand their role as facilitators rather than judges.

This set is highly recommended for schools committed to a long-term investment in staff capability. It bridges the gap between theory and practical execution, ensuring that the school’s restorative culture is consistent across different classrooms. It remains a valuable resource for mentoring new teachers throughout the academic year.

Restorative Solutions: Portable Kits for Classroom Use

Teachers frequently rotate between classrooms or manage tight space constraints, making bulky kits impractical. Restorative Solutions provides high-quality, portable materials that fit easily into a teacher’s bag or a supply bin. Despite their small footprint, these kits contain high-impact resources designed for immediate, on-the-spot conflict resolution.

This is an excellent entry-level option for educators who are curious about restorative practices but are not ready for a building-wide overhaul. The materials are durable, cost-effective, and easy to maintain over several school years. Portability allows restorative habits to move with the teacher and the students wherever they go.

Better Kids Mindful Circles: Best for Social Learning

Social-emotional learning (SEL) thrives when children feel connected to their peers, yet many classrooms lack the structure to facilitate this connection. Better Kids Mindful Circles integrates mindfulness with restorative justice, emphasizing self-regulation before attempting to resolve conflicts with others. It is particularly effective for students who struggle with impulsivity or externalizing behaviors.

This approach is best suited for early elementary classrooms where emotional regulation is a primary developmental milestone. The activities are designed to be short and frequent, fitting neatly into morning meetings or transitions. Start here if the priority is building a foundation of emotional intelligence before focusing on formal restorative discipline.

Little Book of Restorative Justice: The Essential Set

Sometimes, the best approach is to strip away the bells and whistles and focus on the core principles of justice and repair. The Little Book of Restorative Justice serves as a theoretical cornerstone for anyone involved in restorative practice. This set is best for administrators and parent volunteers who need to articulate the philosophy to the broader school community.

Because it is foundational, it provides the most “mileage” for the investment. It does not go out of style, and it offers timeless guidance for navigating complex interpersonal dilemmas. Use this as a reference point to ground every other tool or kit currently in use.

Choosing Kits Based on Your School’s Current RJ Phase

• Exploratory Phase: Focus on general guides and philosophical texts to build buy-in.
• Implementation Phase: Prioritize portable kits and classroom tools for daily use.
• Sustainability Phase: Invest in professional development sets to train new cohorts of staff.

Avoid over-purchasing at the beginning of the journey. Start with a foundational text and one classroom-ready kit to gauge teacher interest and student response. As the restorative culture takes root, expand the collection based on specific needs, such as conflict resolution or peer mediation.

Essential Items to Include in a DIY Restorative Circle

• A “Talking Piece”: Any object that indicates who has the floor to speak, ensuring respectful turn-taking.
• Visual Cues: Posters or cards outlining the restorative questions (e.g., “What happened?” “Who was affected?”).
• Comfort Items: Simple cushions or chairs arranged in a circle to denote a sacred, safe space for vulnerability.
• Agreement Sign: A posted list of ground rules, such as “speak from the heart” and “listen with respect.”

Customizing a DIY kit allows schools to incorporate items that are meaningful to their specific student body. Keep the setup simple to ensure it can be replicated quickly by any staff member. A consistent environment helps children feel secure enough to participate honestly.

How to Train Staff to Facilitate Effective RJ Circles

Facilitation is a skill that improves with practice and collaborative reflection. Encourage staff to start with “check-in” circles that have nothing to do with conflict, allowing them to build comfort with the format. Once the rhythm of the circle is established, they can tackle more complex restorative conversations.

Peer-led training sessions work best, as they allow teachers to role-play scenarios they encounter daily. Focus on the art of asking open-ended questions rather than delivering lectures. With time and support, staff will move from feeling like mediators to acting as true restorative practitioners.

Equipping a school for restorative justice is a significant step toward creating a safer, more empathetic learning environment. By aligning your purchases with the specific developmental needs of your students and the current phase of your school’s culture, you ensure that every dollar spent contributes to long-term success.