0.2 Part two: special topics  (Page 28/39)

Make a Giant Peace Dove

Make a Mini Peace Dove

You can start now to plan the construction of your Giant Peace Dove to be ready for U.N. Peace Day in September 2004, or to fly sooner.

Resolving conflict creatively program

Here is an example of a conflict mediation program that can be adapted in your school. The Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP), a program of Educators for Social Responsibility (ESR), is a research-based school program in social and emotional learning. RCCP supports schoolstaff, parents, families, and the community in teaching young people conflict mediation skills, promoting intercultural understanding, andproviding models for positive ways of dealing with conflict and differences.

The model for ages 5-13 includes the following:

Professional Development for Teachers - A twenty-four hour introductory course and ongoing support forimplementation of the RCCP curriculum through on-site classrooms visit.

Classroom Instruction - Features curricula developed in close collaboration with participating teachers.

Peer Mediation - Trains carefully selected groups of students to serve their schools as peer mediators.

Administrator Training - Introduces administrators to the concepts and skills of conflict resolution and biasawareness and explores how their leadership can enhance effective implementation of the program.

Parent Training - Helps parents develop better ways of dealing with conflict and prejudice at home, and become moreeffective leaders in their children's schools.

Support Staff Training - Offers an orientation to the skills and concepts of conflict resolution to build awareness andcommunication skills among secretaries, cafeteria staff, bus drivers, and other school support staff.

Training of Trainers - Builds school district capacity to independently implement all program components and tointegrate and institutionalize the program into school district curriculum frameworks.

For older students

The model for ages 14-18 includes:

Planning and Needs Assessment - Builds collaborative partnerships among the different constituencies in highschools (student, staff, parents, and community members).

Professional Development for Teachers - Includes a twenty-four hour introductory course in creating and managing peaceableclassroom environments. Prepares teachers to implement "best practices" that help strengthen social and emotional competencies, build acooperative learning environment, and develop more effective communication and problem-solving skills. This is followed by ongoingcoaching, consulting, and team building.

Classroom Instruction - Fosters skill instruction in conflict mediation, anger management, and intergrouprelations.

Student Leadership Training and Youth Development - Provides young people with the skills and conviction to participate fully in creating peaceful classrooms,schools, and communities.

(Adapted from www.esrnational.org/about-rccp.html)