STUDENT CURRICULUM


During these 10 lesson programmes students will learn all about Restorative Practice - building relationships through positive communication

RP for Students

Guided Student Curriculum Programme in Restorative Practice


The programme may be considered as an introduction to Restorative Practice with a strong focus on the restorative values and how to breathe life to them in our classrooms, homes and beyond!


Teachers will learn all about restorative practice through this guided facilitation process and curriculum programme too, with all planning provided and minimal preparation required! Each lesson will look at a way to put a restorative values into practice using student relational connect in/outs, video lessons and a student journal. I share the restorative ideas through the video lessons and prompts and scaffold engagement through the student journal using the following process:


Connect In
We think about what we know already! 


Connect Deeper
We unpack each week’s theme/value/ lesson a little more.. it’s a stretch!! 


Connect Out
We reflect on what we have learned/will take away! 


Connect Quest
Invites us to apply this new learning into our own life... our call to action to spread the RP love! 



The intention is that we will co-facilitate this programme, using a type of team-teaching approach. I have planned and prepared the content and the teacher’s role during this programme is profoundly relational -  facilitating the learning by engaging their students with the video lessons provided, leading shares through the modelled prompts provided; and most importantly doing what teachers do best - honouring, encouraging, and scaffolding their students' engagement. In essence, teachers are the circle keeper, identifying and meeting the needs and context of the relational community that they will know best!


Friendship Keeper Programme;

Values Light the Way

(Ideal for 3rd - 6th Class - Up to 10 hours)

Primary Students -SPHE Curriculum

This Friendship Keepers – Values Light the Way is a guided 10 lesson programme which is linked to the SPHE unit strands -  myself, myself and others, myself and the wider community, aimed at 3rd to 6th class. It is learning outcome based and learning intentions led. 


This programme on restorative values also promotes the four key areas of wellbeing, impacting culture – where our values and actions match;  linking RP into the curriculum, cultivating positive peer relationships and the student voice; and also enabling the potential for authentic policy reform through the expansion of the restorative philosophy with other stakeholders.

Relationship Keeper;

Values Light the Way

(1st - 6th Year Students - Up to 10 hours)

Post Primary Students - Wellbeing Curriculum

This Relationship Keepers; Values Light the Way is a 10 lesson programme which can form part of a school’s elective 100 Hour wellbeing programme. It may also form part of a TY module on building relationships through positive communication or indeed be well placed to grow or operationalise a school’s existing mentorship programme.


This programme has been developed in accordance with the NCCA planning template and guidelines for developing short courses and learning units. It will therefore be learning outcome based and the learning intentions led; it will also be informed by the principles of junior cycle, be inclusive of the key skills and relevant 24 statements of learning, and will integrate the five of the six indicators of wellbeing throughout each week 

On Safari with Our RP Budies

(Bonus Extra)

Junior Primary - Oral Language Development

Our new On Safari with our RP Buddies is a new Oral Language Development Module in RP aimed at Junior Primary Students and only available as part of a Connect RP Site Licence. Check out our Insights page to meet the RP Buddies!

BENEFITS

Students will:

Engage in relational practices that promote connection & belonging.

Cultivate a shared literacy around the restorative FRIENDS/RESPECT values.

Grow empathy as a skill set.

Develop emotional and conflict literacy skills.

Demonstrate key skills such as working with others, staying well, managing myself and communication. Integrate the SPHE stands (Myself, Myself & others, Myself & the wider world) / Ignite the indicators of wellbeing (responsible, connected, respected, resilient, aware). 


 **Suitable for Face to Face and online classrooms 


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The Relationship Keeper programme has been invaluable in our school. We also have a team of Relationship Keeper Mentors which is spread across all year groups, allowing support and connection for each and every student in our school. The training programme has allowed our Relationship Keeper Mentors to explore Restorative Practice in a meaningful way, and has given them the power to grow and develop their own skills in the area of Restorative Practice. They take great pride in wearing their Relationship Keeper badges and enjoy the responsibility that their role brings. 


Carol Murphy, UBUNTU Team Leader, Bremore ETSS


The children in my class have really enjoyed the lessons we have completed from the Friendship Keepers programme. They love the use of the giraffe as a symbol of R.P. The mix of talk and discussion activities, video content and written reflections keeps the children engaged and interested and the connect quest at the end of each lesson encourages the children to discuss their learning and spread the R.P. love. 

As a whole school there is a clear advantage in developing a school wide language around R.P. Having previously worked on developing R.P "yard mentors" in the school, we found that at times that focus was too much on the negative /conflict. The Friendship Keeper programme offers a lovely balance between developing positive relationship and providing students with some of the skills to resolve conflict. 


Fiona Campbell, UBUNTU Team Leader, Naas CNS


Common Questions

  • How do I access this programme?

    Both programme are available as part of a whole school Connect RP Site Licence or can be purchased individually for each class as an extractable from the licence. Simply email support@connectrp.ie for a quote.

  • How long are the lessons?

    The lessons were designed to be an hour long with a designated 20 min optional extractable to meet the needs of different timetables or age groups.


    When is the best time of year to schedule this curriculum piece?

    It can be a great way to generate connection within a group that may be meeting st the start of the year or indeed to deepen their connection with in groups that already know each other. I recommend having one class per week for 10 consecutive weeks.


  • When is the best time of year to schedule this curriculum piece?

    It can be a great way to generate connection within a group that may be meeting st the start of the year or indeed to deepen their connection with in groups that already know each other. I recommend having one class per week for 10 consecutive weeks.

  • Does a teacher need much experience in RP to teach this course?

    Not at all. In fact it is both a wonderful way for a teacher to learn all about RP alongside their students or to offer a teacher who has been trained in RP a chance to use and develop their skills further without the pressure of being the ‘expert’! The focus here is on building positive communication skills for students’ everyday lives and facilitating spaces to engage in positive and community building conversations with classmates. 

  • How is the programme structured?

    Each lesson follows the same process -  offering short video lessons, reflective journal exercises and opportunities to develop oral literacy skills through short circle rounds with invitations to being RP to life in the classroom, school and beyond.

  • Does a school need to be restorative to use this programme?

    This programme was designed to support the positive communication skills of students and the relational experience of a classroom. It orientates around the restorative values and what they look like, sound like, and feel like in our everyday lives and is therefore relevant in any school and all classrooms. A school growing its commitment to RP will welcome the literacy, capacity and awareness that this programme offers its young people and teachers.

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