The Peaceable Classroom: From Principles and Pedagogy to ParticipantAction

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The Peaceable Classroom From Principles and
Pedagogy to Participant-Action

• Introduction-why do we need peaceable classrooms?
• What do we mean by a peaceable classroom?
• How can a teacher build such a peaceable
  classroom?

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Introduction

• A peaceable classroom is one in which the 3 Cs
  of caring, compassion and concern are paramount
• There must be a good level of comfort with
  conflict

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Outline of Class Discussion March 23 and 25

• Introduction-What is the Point?
• What Do We Mean by a Peaceable Classroom?
• How Can a Teacher Build a Peaceable Classroom?

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Ms.Ws 5th Grade Classroom

• Starring
• You and your classmates

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Ms. Fryes 4th Grade Class

• What is different about this scene?

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What is Conflict?

• Take out a piece of paper and write down all of
  the things that come to mind when you think of
  the word conflict-dont stop to think-just do
  this quickly. Come up with maybe 10-15 words

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When I Was Growing Up I Was Taught ________About
Conflict

• Finish the Sentence
• Then we will share with a neighbor

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What is a Peaceable Classroom?

• A peaceable classroom is one in which students
  and teachers use the processes and the
  philosophical principles to create a classroom in
  which learning is maximized.

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Philosophy of a Peaceable Classroom

• The philosophy involves the values of love and
  respect, the 3 Cs of caring, compassion and
  concern, empowering students to learn to think
  critically.

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The Skills of a Peaceable Classroom

• The skills involve listening and communication
  and learning and teaching the steps of
  problem-solving. These are teachable skills.

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Goals of a Peaceable Classroom

• To create a safe learning environment
• To create a constructive learning environment
• To help students to develop into the creative and
  responsive people they are meant to be

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The aim of a peaceable classroom is NOT

• TO ABOLISH CONFLICT BUT TO DEAL WITH IT CREATIVELY

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A Golden Rule Regarding Power

• POWER PLAYS WITH STUDENTS ARE A LOSING
  BATTLE-DONT GO THERE

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Roots of Conflict in Classrooms

• Intense competitive atmosphere
• Fear and anxiety
• Put downs and bullying

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Building Blocks for Peaceable Classrooms

• School structures which emphasize the following
• Affirmation, cooperation and communication
• Appreciation for diversity
• Appropriate expression of feelings
• Good decision-making skills
• Problem-solving skills

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Questions? Comments?
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Goals of a Peaceable Classroom

• To create a safe learning environment
• To create a constructive learning environment
• To help students to develop into the creative and
  responsive people they are meant to be

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Davids Very Bad Day

• Characters
• David
• His sister
• Dad
• School mate
• Younger boy

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Themes to a Peaceable Classroom

• Cooperation
• Caring Communication
• Appreciation of Diversity
• Appropriate Expression of feelings
• Responsible Decision-Making
• Conflict Resolution

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Talk with a neighbor

• What do you think a peaceful classroom looks
  like? How are the chairs set up? What is on the
  walls?
• Come up with at least 3 suggestions

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Building a Classroom of Peace

• Teach in the round
• What is on your walls?
• Set up rules, by consensus
• Share power-does not mean sharing authority
• Use rewards
• Give choices

• Be a role model
• Use good CR skills
• Listening
• Being open
• Paraphrasing
• Stating your needs
• Working hard to come to resolution
• Foster inner teacher

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You will be a mediator much of the time

• You will need to learn to stay neutral, hear both
  sides of the conflict and help students come up
  with reasonable solutions

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You will also be working with parents

• Knowing how to address classroom conflicts
  professionally and courteously with parents
  entails assertiveness, patience and tolerance

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Role Play-how tos

• In groups of 4, pick to parties to the conflict,
  A and B, and two observers
• Read scenerio aloud and begin
• Observers take notes
• When you hear freeze, stop the role play
• Observers share and give you feedback
• Observers-sum up conflict in 1 sentence
• What are needs of A, of B?

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Scenerio

• A You are a teacher of a 6th grade social
  studies class. You are introducing the lesson on
  the board (a study of the countries of the
  Caribbean) and while you are talking your back is
  turned away from the class. B, a chronic
  underachiever in the class, makes a condescending
  remark about another student in the class who is
  of Jamaican descent, disrupting your lecture.
  What can you do?

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Wrap-Up

• Your role as a mentor and a model in your
  classroom will be of utmost importance
• Students will be most likely to remember whether
  you took that extra step to help them along-thank
  you