Paths To Peace: Every Child's Right To A Peaceful Classroom ACEI International Conference 2011 New Orleans Video: www.youtube.com; The Bully Project, www.nomorebullying.com, www.teachingtolerance.com ; The Southern Poverty Law Center; Video Starting Small, Vivian Gussin Paley, www.cnn.com, Lauren Potter, actress Glee

1. Paths to Peace: Every Child’s Right to a Peaceful Classroom

2. Presenters Nancy Brasel, University of Central Florida, Palm Bay nbrasel@mail.ucf.edu SherronKillingsworth Roberts, University of Central Florida, Orlando skrobert@mail.ucf.edu Patricia A. Crawford, University of Pittsburgh pcrawfor@pitt.edu

3. Peace …it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. --Unknown

4. Purposes Investigate ways to nurture supportive classroom communities that demonstrate an ethic of care Consider practical and proven strategies for helping children to resolve conflicts Investigate appropriate literacy texts and writing strategies that support and maintain peace as part of a quality education

5. Strategies for Peaceful Classrooms

6. Beginning Building a Classroom Community Where everyone is safe Where everyone belongs Where everyone is accepted Where put-downs, abuse and bullying are not allowed How Identity and Familiarity rituals (learning names, family involvement) Team and Trust building exercises Modeling, Encouraging & Noticing Pro-social Behavior

7. Safe, peaceful places Comfortable seats Pleasant scents Soothing sounds Soothing sights: water, art, smiles

8. Teaching Problem Solving Skills Instead of trying to prevent conflicts, welcome them as opportunities for children to learn to problem solving strategies within a safe environment. Common steps in any Conflict Resolution program: Stop the action Identify the problem Brainstorm solutions (all suggestions are valid) Agree to try one solution (a win/win solution) Check back to make sure the solution is working

9. Win/Win Solution

10. Try B.A.T.S., not bats Breathe deeply Ask yourself to count to 10 Think of your favorite place So, “now I am okay, I can handle this”

11. More strategies: Peace table or peace chairs (puppets or phones) Peace Dice Game Peace Bridge or Peace Path Peace Formulae Poetry Peace Literature for Children Peace Book

12. Peace Book Making the connection between peace and literacy engagement Building on proximity Documenting problems, resolutions, and potentials

13. Peace Book Conflict #1B’s Perspective

14. Peace Book—Conflict #1K’s Perspective

15. Peace Book—Conflict #1B’s Resolution

16. Peace Book—Conflict #1K’s Resolution

17. Peace Book—Conflict #2Max & M

19. Conflict #2: Max’s Response

20. Conflict #2 Resolution

21. I’m Sorry poem I’m sorry. I’m sorry, but you can’t make me apologize. I apologize. I mean, I thought__________________ Really I just____________________ When you probably thought__________ I’m sorry that ___________________ I could see how ______________ Next time, I’ll ___________________ But could you see how_______? But whatever… Apologies aren’t easy, but let’s be friends You should know, All over again. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

22. Let’s Give It a Try I feel _________________________. When you _______________ I wonder ______________________ And I think______________ Could I _______________________? Could we ______________________? Come on! Let’s try! Why don’t we _______________? We can do this together!

23. A Peace Poem for Us You are ________________(either a relationship or an adjective). I am __________________ (either a relationship or an adjective) Your favorite words seem to be____________________________ My favorite words seem to be _____________________________ You make me _________, ___________, _____________ (three things). I make you ___________, ___________, ______________(three things). Even though we see things differently, Even though __________________________________(must rhyme with the above line) Together we can _______________________________________.

24. Example You are my daughter. I am definitely your mom. Your favorite words seem to be, “I never get to do what I want.” My favorite words seem to be “we’ll see…” You make me crazy, rushed, and at the same time proud. I make you rushed, crazy, and pushed to the max. Even though we see things differently, Even though we each approach the problem by focusing only on me… Together we can work it out And make it right.

25. Children’s Literature Reflective quality of children’s literature Windows and mirrors

26. Exploring Peace

27. Modeling Peace

28. Website Resources http://www.teachingtolerance.org http://www.peace-ed.org/miami.html

29. Teacher Attitudes and Skills Being aware of tone of voice Listening and taking kids seriously Enjoying the job Appreciating uniqueness Uncovering hidden talents of students Developing attitudes of ________

30. Having a sense of humor Respecting Students Involving students Employing forgiveness

31. Barriers & Builders Barriers Assuming Rescuing/Explaining Directing Expecting Adultisms Builders Checking Exploring Inviting/Encouraging Celebrating Respecting

32. Pathways to peaceful classrooms “Maybe our classrooms can be nicer than the outside world.” Vivian Gussin Paley