Touching Spirit Bear Restorative Justice – Communication Circles Novel Activity
Digital Download
Touching Spirit Bear Restorative Justice – Communication Circles Novel Activity: Introduce your students to the powerful concept of restorative justice with this interactive Touching Spirit Bear lesson and activity. In the novel, Cole participates in Circle Justice as an alternative to jail, where community members come together to repair harm and encourage healing. This ready-to-use resource helps students understand the philosophy behind restorative justice and actively experience its practices through guided communication circles based on themes in the novel. Students will reflect on themes such as anger, forgiveness, trust, and the mind-body connection, linking Cole’s journey to their own lives in meaningful ways.
Included in the Touching Spirit Bear Restorative Justice & Communication Circles Lesson & Activities:
➡️ 43-Slide Restorative Justice Presentation: Use this complete teacher presentation to introduce students to the principles of restorative justice, its cultural context, and how it appears in Touching Spirit Bear. The slides also outline how restorative circles work, helping students clearly understand the process before participating.
➡️ Four Themed Communication Circles: Students will participate in communication circles that align with key sections of the novel. Each circle focuses on a meaningful theme—anger and emotional regulation, the importance of trust, the mind-body connection, and forgiveness of self and others.
➡️ Nonfiction Articles for Background Knowledge: Students will read short, accessible articles related to each theme to build context before participating in the circles. These readings prepare them with ideas and real-world connections, ensuring deeper discussion during the activity.
➡️ Discussion Sentence Stems: Use the provided half-page sentence stems related specifically to the themes of the communication circles to support students as they share their thoughts. These prompts encourage respectful, thoughtful responses and help even reluctant speakers contribute confidently.
➡️ Teacher Instructions and Circle Guidelines: Use the detailed instructions to set up and facilitate communication circles successfully. Clear guidelines, suggested routines, and tips for using a talking piece (like the included feather image) ensure that discussions run smoothly and respectfully.
➡️ 43-Slide Restorative Justice Presentation: Use this complete teacher presentation to introduce students to the principles of restorative justice, its cultural context, and how it appears in Touching Spirit Bear. The slides also outline how restorative circles work, helping students clearly understand the process before participating.
➡️ Four Themed Communication Circles: Students will participate in communication circles that align with key sections of the novel. Each circle focuses on a meaningful theme—anger and emotional regulation, the importance of trust, the mind-body connection, and forgiveness of self and others.
➡️ Nonfiction Articles for Background Knowledge: Students will read short, accessible articles related to each theme to build context before participating in the circles. These readings prepare them with ideas and real-world connections, ensuring deeper discussion during the activity.
➡️ Discussion Sentence Stems: Use the provided half-page sentence stems related specifically to the themes of the communication circles to support students as they share their thoughts. These prompts encourage respectful, thoughtful responses and help even reluctant speakers contribute confidently.
➡️ Teacher Instructions and Circle Guidelines: Use the detailed instructions to set up and facilitate communication circles successfully. Clear guidelines, suggested routines, and tips for using a talking piece (like the included feather image) ensure that discussions run smoothly and respectfully.
How the Touching Spirit Bear Restorative Justice & Communication Circles Lesson & Activities Works
-
Begin with the presentation to introduce restorative justice, its cultural context, and its connection to Circle Justice in the novel.
-
Teach students the communication circle guidelines, modeling respectful listening and the use of the talking piece.
-
For each set of chapters, assign the corresponding nonfiction article and review the sentence stems with students.
-
Facilitate the communication circle where students reflect on the theme in relation to both the novel and their own experiences.
-
Conclude with a final reflection circle, encouraging students to consider what they learned from Cole’s journey and from their peers’ perspectives.
This Touching Spirit Bear restorative justice activity gives students the opportunity to engage in authentic dialogue, strengthen social-emotional skills, and make meaningful connections to the themes of the novel.
© Presto Plans
➡️ Want 10 free ELA resources sent to your inbox? Click here!
© Presto Plans
➡️ Want 10 free ELA resources sent to your inbox? Click here!