Day 3: Peaceable Classroom Model and Peaceable School Model
The Conflict Free Zone
Set up a space in your classroom for conflict resolution. You may call it whatever you want. Younger children call it a "Peace Table" or "Conflict Resolution Corner." Students use it:
- to cool down
- to talk things out
- to write things out
For Middle Schools the concept is still valid. Perhaps you wish to establish a Conflict Resolution Zone; perhaps you can link the title to your school mascot or to the subject you teach. Student input will make the title appropriate and the concept acceptable.
Decide together on the uses of the corner; establish rules and guidelines as you and your class deem necessary. They might include:
Rules
- Respect each other.
- Don't interrupt.
- Work so you both win.
Select materials appropriate for your students' use in the Zone. You
may want to enlarge the rules or guidelines for working their conflicts
out non-violently, and make copies of forms that they may use to
work through their conflicts. Walk students through the conflict resolution
process you choose to have them use.
One example of guidelines that might be used are on the next page, ‘Peace-ing
it together”.
Developed by Anita Whitely, O.S.U., Office of Catholic Education, Diocese of Cleveland, OH
Peace-ing It Together
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Allow time for each party to cool down.
Listen to how party #1 sees the
conflict and feels about it.
Tell party #1 what you heard him or her say.
Listen to how party #2 sees the conflict and feels about it. Tell party
#2 what you heard her or him say.
Ask if either person has an idea of what can be done to solve the conflict.
Keep trying until you find a solution that both parties believe will
work.
Ask them if their conflict is resolved.
Congratulate them for working it out.
If their friends know there was a conflict, ask them to tell their friends
that it has been resolved.
Developed by Anita Whitely, OSU, Ursuline Academy of Cleveland.