Spirit Bear Conclusion

Now that you have finished Touching Spirit Bear, do you think the restorative process was more helpful than traditional punitive punishments, not just for Cole but for everyone involved? Why or why not? Who do you think benefited or did not benefit from this process? What were some positive or negative outcomes? What would have been different for Cole, his mom, his dad, Peter, Peter's family, Garvey, and Edwin if Cole had just received the traditional punitive punishment of being put in jail -- would things have been better or worse? WHY? Remember to use specific examples from the book to support your arguments.

Compare Restorative Circles

You have read and acted out the first parts of Cole's Restorative Circle process and you've watched a real-life circle process involving boys who burned down a historical bridge in Pennsylvania. Compare and contrast the two circles. What similarities and differences do you notice between the process, the parents, the community members, and the boys in trouble? Remember to use specific examples from your reading to support your arguments.