Hart Sura - The Compassionate Classroom: Relationship-based Teaching and Learning

The Compassionate Classroom:
Relationship Based Teaching and Learning
Copyright 2004 Center for Nonviolent CommunicationsSM
A PuddleDancer Press Book

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of a photographic recording, nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or otherwise copied for public or private use without the written permission of the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to:

PuddleDancer Press, Permissions Dept.
P.O. Box 231129, Encinitas, CA 92023-1129
Fax: 1-858-759-6967,

The Compassionate Classroom:
Relationship Based Teaching and Learning
1st Printing, October, 2004
Authors: Sura Hart and Victoria Kindle Hodson
Cover Design: Lightbourne, Inc.
Interior Design: MGM Graphic Design

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3

ISBN: 978-1-892005-06-9

EPUB ISBN: 978-1-892005-06-9

This book is easy to read and easy to relate it. It provides small, tangible steps that can be implemented by any teacher or parent. It is the scaffold that educators have been looking for to set the stage for tremendous learning.

Brenda Harari, PhD, Educational Researcher and Consultant

This book shows teachers how to strengthen relationships, fuel interest, passion and inspire accomplishment! The authors solve the age-old mystery of how to resolve classroom conflicts without disrupting the learning process.

Resa Brown, Special Education Teacher of the Year

The Compassionate Classroom presents clear and concise explanations of the how and why of Nonviolent Communication along with playful exercises and games that animate the joy of natural giving. I am confident that The Compassionate Classroom will inspire many students in my college classes to share NVC in their own classrooms and beyond.

Michael Dreiling, Sociology Professor and Author

The Compassionate Classroom has great exercises and practical lessons that give educators tools to implement Nonviolent Communication in the classroom and create connections with students that will enhance both learning and teaching.

Leslie Trook, Middle School Principal

I am excited by The Compassionate Classroom and its potential to help the conflict that is a daily reality in our schools, especially here in South Africa. Some of its exercises and games have already yielded interesting results in our classes. It is an invaluable practical tool for todays teacher. I heartily recommend it.

Shena Lamb, University Instructor

The Compassionate Classroom is a highly accessible, reader-friendly book that delivers what it promises. My dog-eared copy is an invaluable aid in supporting courses I develop and teach, as well as an encouraging, uplifting work. There are two sections; the first describes with certain clarity the power of learning in a safe classroom where children can participate without fear of shame or blame. The second provides practical tools and exercises that are easily duplicated in the classroom. I predict this book will become an indispensable guide for professional educators and parents who strive to create schools where learning flourishes and teachers enjoy teaching. Its a gem!

Marcy Piekos, Educator

Last year was the best year of my teaching career. The tools in this book helped me transform my classroom from an ordinary to an extraordinary learning environment. Some end-of-the-year evaluations from my students said: This has been a really awesome experience! This is such a fun class! Mrs. Adivi is nice and fair. This class is a real treat! You will definitely love this class! One year ago I wouldnt have thought these kinds of statements were possible.

Carla Adivi, 7th Grade Science Teacher

Visionary and practical, insightful and inviting, The Compassionate Classroom will touch the heart and enhance the practice of all who read it.

Rob Koegel, Associate Professor of Sociology

The language of Nonviolent Communication is a very clear and usable tool and replaces the language of shame, guilt, and blame. The authors demonstrate how this language introduces cooperation and peace into the classroom, and consequently, into the world. Supported by scientific research that shows how emotional clarity and ease enhance childrens ability to learn, the authors give various examples of how to learn and teach this process, adding a number of fun classroom exercises and games.

This book is not just for teachersanyone interested in compassionate interactions will benefit.

Marcelline Brogli, Therapist and Teacher Consultant

Compassion is not a static state, nor is it a destination to be reached. Compassion is not a subject that can be taught. Compassion is a way of being in relationshipa way of acting and interacting. At the same time, certain practices can help cultivate this way of being. In our experience, Nonviolent Communication is the most practical and powerful of these practices.

Sura Hart and Victoria Kindle Hodson