Processing a tragedy with youth

These restorative justice circle guides focus on creating a space for students to process their feelings after a tragic event has occurred in the community or on a national/global scale. Giving students the opportunity to talk about these events can allow them to identify what happened, how they are feeling, what they need to heal, and how they can support one another.

Elementary

Circle Agreements: Here, you can remind everyone of the circle agreements you came up with as a class. Some examples are: Speak from your heart, listen from your heart, respect the talking piece, you always have the right to pass, and what happens here, stays here.

Opening Quote: “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Mindfulness Exercise: Grief and Loss Meditation for Kids

Check-in Round: How are you doing today on a scale from 1 to 5? (1 is the lowest, five is the highest.)

Question 1: Sometimes, we hear about things happening in our communities or on the news that make us worry. Have you seen anything on the news lately that has worried you or confused you? What questions do you have?

Providing Context: Provide facts for students about where and when the event occurred and give a general description of what happened. Refrain from providing details that could be retraumatizing, such as the specifics of the violent acts that took place. If a student has a reaction/question in the moment after hearing about the event, validate their feelings and their curiosity. Remind them that everyone will have the opportunity to speak and let them know that they can ask their question when it is their turn. Pass the talking piece in the typical order.

Question 2: How are you feeling about what you have seen or heard?

Question 3: Who can you talk to about what you’re feeling (a teacher or counselor at school, a family member, etc.)?

Question 4: What is something that helps you calm down when you are upset or hear about upsetting things?

Question 5: What is one act of kindness you can do today for someone you care about to support them during this difficult time?

Check-out Round: What color represents how you are feeling right now?

Closing Quote: “Learning to stand in somebody else’s shoes, to see through their eyes, that’s how peace begins.” - Barack Obama

Secondary

Circle Agreements: Here, you can remind everyone of the circle agreements you came up with as a class. Some examples are: Speak from your heart, listen from your heart, respect the talking piece, you always have the right to pass, and what happens here, stays here.

Opening Quote: “It’s OK to feel. It’s OK to feel bad. It’s OK to let it out. It’s OK to cry. It’s OK to be angry. It’s OK to not know what you need.” - The Wellness Society

Mindfulness Exercise: Grief and Loss Meditation for Teens

Check-in Round: How are you doing today on a scale from 1 to 5? (1 is the lowest, five is the highest.)

Question 1: What have you seen or heard on the news this weekend? What questions do you have?

Providing Context: Provide facts for students about where and when the event occurred and give a general description of what happened. Refrain from providing details that could be retraumatizing, such as the specifics of the violent acts that took place. If a student has a reaction/question in the moment after hearing about the event, validate their feelings and their curiosity. Remind them that everyone will have the opportunity to speak and let them know that they can ask their question when it is their turn. Pass the talking piece in the typical order.

Question 2: How are you feeling about what you have seen or heard?

Question 3: What helps you feel balanced when things like this happen? Do you spend time alone, journal, watch TV, scroll on your phone, find people to talk to, etc.?

Question 4: What is one thing you want to do to take care of yourself or someone you care about during this time?

Check-out Round: It is OK to feel whatever you are feeling right now. Sometimes, we might be feeling more than one emotion at once. What are two words that describe how you’re feeling right now?

Closing Quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead

Take a Mental Health Test

If you or a friend are struggling with your mental health, take an anonymous, free, and private mental health test. It only takes a few minutes, and after you are finished you will be given information about the next steps you can take based on the results.