Why me? are pleased to share a new range of teaching resources that enable students to learn about the power of Restorative Justice by listening to the stories of people who have been through it. Based on our pioneering Damage and Repair project, the resources highlight short clips from our audio collection of interviews with people who have been through the Restorative Justice process. With a range of activities, exercises and questions to spark students’ interest, the resource packs will guide conversations around the restorative process, oral history and the wider justice system.
The packs were formulated by consultant Debbie Bogard, an educator with over twenty-five years’ teaching experience, currently working as a Learning Facilitator at the British Library running workshops for students and teachers. Alongside this, Debbie teaches A-level history and is an EPQ supervisor at City and Islington Sixth Form College, where she also leads on teacher development.
The packs were created following work at Angel Sixth Form College, where Why me?’s Keeva and Debbie delivered a series of Restorative Justice sessions to the students. Each of the lessons sparked unique conversations, and led the students through an exploration of the challenges of the justice system, the power of audio recordings and the benefits of Restorative Justice.
What are the resources?
We now have 3 different online resources that educators can use to support their students to understand Restorative Justice. The Teacher Pack is a step by step lesson plan/guide for teachers filled with activities, questions and conversation starters to lead young people through the ideas of Restorative Justice, oral history and the wider justice system in the UK. The Student Pack is the accompanying guide for students to follow as they participate. The slides can be used as a visual aid for the teaching process.
In the resource packs, we have shared specific time stamps and links to audio clips that can be used as a listening resource for the students.
Who is it for?
The packs can be used by anyone working with young people. They were designed with key stage 4 and 5 students in mind but can be adapted to suit other ages. It may be particularly of interest for students studying the following subjects:
- Business Studies,
- Citizenship,
- Criminology,
- Economics,
- Extended Project Qualification,
- Geography,
- Film Studies,
- Higher Project Qualification,
- History,
- Law,
- Media Studies,
- Philosophy,
- Psychology,
- Politics,
- Religious Studies and
- Sociology
It is also relevant for extra-curricular groups such as podcasting, media or radio clubs, those writing an EPQ or researching the justice system.
