Scott Nishimoto

From the Source Storytelling

Bring in guest speakers who have experienced violence, injustice, racism, or hatred of some kind. Allow youth to hear the story from the source. Teachers and/or the children/students can facilitate the conversation, ensuring age appropriate content.

Fist of 5

A way of measuring how everyone is feeling about a process. A useful tool to use as a check-in throughout a process. People show fingers to display their “feeling number,” 5 being fully satisfied/supported, 0 being not happy/not supported at all. Address what could be changed or improved if participants show 0-3s, and evaluate the …

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Kindness Catcher

With paper, scissors and pencils, allow children to make folding “catchers” (also called “origami fortune tellers”), with their kind acts written inside the various flaps. (There are assembly instructions online). The kind acts should also be reminders of how to handle conflict. Each catcher should have 8 flaps with writing on them. Suggestions include:  You …

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Field Trips

Create field trips that reinforce the Ceeds of Peace that you are planting. Service learning excursions are an example. Youth can work to better understand the needs of their communities and harness the will to act on behalf of others. They can learn subject matter in a way that feels more connected and therefore more …

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Feedback

The use of feedback can reduce stress and confusion. Immediate feedback should be specific and focus on ways that youth can improve. Try to avoid an overall evaluation and focus on both what went well and what needs improvement. Also include supportive peer feedback. Feedback should be delivered with calm and supportive language, avoiding judgment …

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Family Narrative

Research shows that youth who have knowledge of their family history, events, challenges, and successes have more self-control, higher self-esteem, and handle difficulties better. This is due to youth feeling a strong sense of belonging and being part of something bigger than they are. Contributing to a family narrative involves telling family stories, following traditions, …

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