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Case Study #5

Restorative Circle for Civic Actions

DAY

5

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What to Expect: Today’s Lesson

Warm Up

Learning target, check-in

Social Studies

Vocabulary

Key definitions

Preparation Round + Round 1 & 2

Exit Ticket

Wrap-up

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Warm Up

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We can learn how activists fought against racist policies and use that learning to help us identify ways we can help build safer, kinder, and more fair communities today.

(Target Tracker)

SECTION ONE: WARM UP

Learning Target

NYS Social Studies Framework

F. Civic Participation

1. Demonstrate respect for the rights of others in discussions and classroom debates, regardless of whether one agrees with the other viewpoints.

2. Participate in activities that focus on a classroom, school, community, state, or national issue or problem.

4. Identify opportunities for and the role of the individual in social and political participation in the school, local, and/or state community.

5. Show respect in issues involving differences and conflict; participate in negotiating and compromising in the resolution of differences and conflict.

6. Identify situations in which social actions are required and suggest solutions.

7. Identify people in positions of power and how they can influence people’s rights and freedom.

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SECTION ONE: WARM UP

Group Norms

Our Community is SAFE, KIND, and FAIR

  • Respect your classmates
  • Use “I statements”
    • I think…
    • What I love about that… and…(compliment sandwich)
    • I connect with…
  • Be Kind
    • ‘I like what you said’
    • ‘I feel that way too’
    • ‘I’m proud of myself’ ‘I am proud of you’
  • Be curious and ask questions
    • ‘Tell me more’
    • ‘Help me understand’
    • ‘You’re making me wonder…’
  • One mic
    • One person talks at a time
    • I take turns
    • Privilege/gift of listening

Rochester Leader, Constance Mitchell works with a class of kids to help their community

“Never give up. You either are involved or you are not, there is no middle ground. I choose to be involved."

-Dr. Walter Cooper

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Check-In

Show the class with your fingers which number ‘sheep’ represents how you’re feeling today?

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Vocabulary

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Antiracist

Use your own words to define:

In the 1960s this group of Rochester children participated in a civil rights march in the Redlined Clarissa Street Neighborhood. They were advocating for equal housing and jobs.

EXAMPLE:

SECTION TWO: VOCABULARY

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Social Studies Practices:

Civic Participation

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What rules would help you feel comfortable and safe to have a challenging conversation?

Preparation Question:

Circle Agreements

  • Respect the talking piece
  • Right to pass
  • Speak your truth
  • Listen to understand
  • No side conversations
  • Avoid stereotypes

“Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.” –James Baldwin

SECTION THREE: CIVIC PARTICIPATION

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Read Aloud Choice:

Read about Dr. Cooper’s friend Constance Mitchell, who took informed action in Rochester in the 1960s or a book written by Dr. Cooper about how he took action across his life to build a more safe, kind, and fair community.

SECTION THREE: CIVIC PARTICIPATION

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Do you know about any person or group from the past or today who took action for equality?

Round One:

Circle Agreements

  • Respect the talking piece
  • Right to pass
  • Speak your truth
  • Listen to understand
  • No side conversations
  • Avoid stereotypes

SECTION THREE: CIVIC PARTICIPATION

Dr Walter Cooper

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Watch one of the videos to the left and reflect on how we as fourth graders can be antiracist.

Round Two:

Circle Agreements

  • Respect the talking piece
  • Speak your truth
  • Listen to understand
  • Avoid side conversations

SECTION THREE: CIVIC PARTICIPATION

Marley Dias stands up to unfairness in the publishing world

Rush Henrietta fourth graders stand up to racist policies in hiring practices

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What are some problems today that are important to you?

Round Two:

Circle Agreements

  • Respect the talking piece
  • Speak your truth
  • Listen to understand
  • Avoid side conversations

SECTION THREE: CIVIC PARTICIPATION

Marley Dias stands up to unfairness in the publishing world

Rush Henrietta fourth graders stand up to racist policies in hiring practices

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What zone are you in? Share with a friend about what inspires you to get involved and stand up for what you believe in?

SEL: Optimistic Closure

“Never give up. You either are involved or you are not, there is no middle ground. I choose to be involved."-Dr. Walter Cooper

SEL OPTIMISTIC CLOSURE

Courtesy of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester.

Zones of Regulation

What zone are you in?

Blue

1 finger

Green

2 fingers

Yellow

3 fingers

Red

4 fingers

Bored

Happy

Excited

Upset

Tired

Positive

Worried

Angry

Sad

Thankful

Nervous

Aggressive

Depressed

Proud

Confused

Mad

Shy

Calm

Embarrassed

Terrified

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We can learn how activists fought against racist policies and use that learning to help us identify ways we can help build safer, kinder, and more fair communities today.

(Target Tracker)

Closing

Learning Target

NYS Social Studies Framework

F. Civic Participation

1. Demonstrate respect for the rights of others in discussions and classroom debates, regardless of whether one agrees with the other viewpoints.

2. Participate in activities that focus on a classroom, school, community, state, or national issue or problem.

4. Identify opportunities for and the role of the individual in social and political participation in the school, local, and/or state community.

5. Show respect in issues involving differences and conflict; participate in negotiating and compromising in the resolution of differences and conflict.

6. Identify situations in which social actions are required and suggest solutions.

7. Identify people in positions of power and how they can influence people’s rights and freedom.