Using The Circle Technique to Build Classroom Relationships

Building and sustaining strong teacher-student relationships is key to students feeling connected to school, which is directly related to their overall success. Research collected by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments shows that students who feel connected have better school attendance, grades, test scores, and stay in school longer. Furthermore, when students have strong relationships with their teachers, their engagement, motivation, and emotional well-being improve. Put simply, optimal outcomes for students cannot occur without the foundation of meaningful relationships. It is, therefore, crucial for teachers to know how to build effective, long-lasting, and authentic relationships with students.

This guide describes The Circle technique, a powerful and systematic way of engaging with students and building authentic relationships with and among them. It includes

• Step-by-step instructions for conducting various types of Circles, including Complex/Formal Circles, Quick Circles, Quick Connect, and Check In, Check Up, and Check Out Circles;
• Sample questions to use with students in grades K-12;
• Guidance on what to look for during Circles;
• How to use information shared in the Circle to develop individualized supports for students.

Although this guide focuses on using the Circle technique within the classroom, the technique can also be used school-wide to cultivate more well-connected schools.