Da Cypher ( A Dialogical Approach to Building Relationships)
The dynamics of the classroom will highly depend on the relationships that exist between the students and the teacher. These relationships are built, both verbally and non-verbally. Meaning, the teacher and his/her students interact primarily through words, as well as, energy. How you speak to students matter. How students feel around you matter. Da Cypher is a dialogical method to build these relationships with students. Da Cypher is a classroom management strategy that allows students to be the center of classroom discussions and can be conducted simply by having the students placed in a circle and partake in focused-driven conversations on a variety of topics. These topics can be sporadic or structured. Nevertheless, it is the responsibility of the educator to provide a space for these conversations to take place.
“Leaders who do not act dialogically, but insist on imposing their decisions, do not organize the people--they manipulate them. They do not liberate, nor are they liberated: they oppress.”
― Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed
Restorative Practices
Prior to learning about Restorative Practices, I was implementing Da Cypher in the classroom; however, upon learning about this method of relationship-building, I was able to narrow the focus of our discussions. “Restorative practices is a social science that studies how to build social capital and achieve social discipline through participatory learning and decision making.
The use of restorative practices helps to:
reduce crime, violence and bullying
improve human behavior
strengthen civil society
provide effective leadership
restore relationships
repair harm”
Source: https://www.iirp.edu/restorative-practices/defining-restorative/
This method is very intentional and follows a particular structure. For instance, there should be a “talking piece”, an object that can be passed from one speaker to another. Additionally, the educator must set norms and expectations for all those involved. Once these are understood, the educator can lead the discussion with an opening. The opening can be a quote, a current event, or an overall theme based on an incident the happened in the classroom, ie. bullying, working together, friendship, etc. Finally, there should be a closing. The closing can also be a quote, summation, or call to action.
Guidelines:
Opening:
Discussion Questions:
Closing:
These classroom discussions are meant to evoke a sense of comfortability. Through this comfort, students are permitted to be their true authentic selves. Ideally, this will cultivate a classroom environment that is conducive to building character and communities.
The Role of Da Cypher in Hip-Hop Culture
The philosophies and practices of the Cypher is prominent in all aspects of Hip-Hop culture, i.e. the shape of vinyl records, freestyle sessions, B-Boy Battles, etc. The Cypher serves as a safe space for artistic expression, where touching is not permitted (although rules are meant to be broken). It’s always circular in nature. There is no beginning and no end. Nobody is above anybody else. Anybody can get embarrassed, if they are wack. Then again, those who are dope will ALWAYS be acknowledged.
As Hakim Green says, “The Cypher is a circle with all points connected.”
Please be advised, the video below contains explicit lyrics and content:
The main objective of the Cypher is to cultivate a connection with all practitioners and spectators. This connection ultimately creates a community. All people involved have the capacity to establish and maintain harmonious relationships through this medium. Essentially, this type of environment is conducive to learning because it involves an authentic exchange of ideas and creativity. This is the type of environment I always aimed to provide for my students.
