CircleUp has brought some real structure to something that can otherwise feel very ambiguous. Circles depend so much on trust, vulnerability, timing, and just “reading the room,” and this resource helps you think much more intentionally about how to create those experiences safely and thoughtfully. The CircleCraft name is fitting because it really does feel like you’re learning how to craft the experience, not just pull a prompt from a book and hope it works.
Our district has used the Circle Forward books for years, and those are great for getting ideas. But in my experience, the circles don’t always go as planned, and sometimes the activities can start to feel repetitive or a little out of touch with what a particular group actually needs. This is different because it helps you think through the community, the purpose, the level of vulnerability, and what is actually realistic for the people in the room.
I tend to want to go deeper with conversations, and this has actually helped me slow down and think more carefully about what a group may be ready for and how to build toward that.
As a school counselor, I would highly recommend it for schools or districts that are just beginning to implement circles, or for those of us who have been doing this work for a while and want to be more thoughtful and intentional about how we do it.
