Ask youth to conduct research on various conflicts by visiting peace education websites or multiple media sources. After researching the dimensions and various perspectives of the conflict, in groups or as a class, brainstorm solutions and figure out the resources needed to get involved in positive and safe ways. Alternatively, youth can find problems that …
Youth brainstorm a list of activists, leaders, philosophers, philanthropists, and others who have made a difference in their communities and/or the world. They identify the accomplishments, list favorite quotes, and create images and videos they feel represent each individual in a wall or digital display. Youth discuss how things would be different if the individuals …
Starting in the pre-teen years, many people use electronic devices and social media, and it is critical that we teach them how to behave appropriately and safely online. Have discussions about how the internet has improved our lives, but that there are also conditions to its use. Remind teens that their online “footprint” lives on …
Using bigger than, less than, or equal signs, role-play different scenarios the youth face on a day to day basis to evaluate whether or not a situation feels “equal.” If the situation doesn’t feel equal have them use, write, or state the bigger than or less than sign to determine who holds the power. Have …
A simple idea to eliminate loneliness and isolation and foster friendship and inclusion on the playground or in any public space. They work best when the bench is clearly identified as such, to stand out from other simple benches. It becomes a safe space for a young person to sit when they may need help, …
Revisit an event that ended with a less than desirable outcome. Encourage youth to create their own alternative endings. Why did they make the choices that they made? How have the outcomes changed positively as a result of those choices? What was difficult about those choices?
While doing creative writing, have youth investigate the people involved in their storyboards. What types of people were involved? What do you think they were thinking and feeling? Encourage the identification of at least three divergent perspectives and interests. Young people can do the same with poetry, prose, or film. What are additional perspectives that …
Includes four steps: 1) Connect, 2) Ground, 3) Practice, and 4) Reflect. Group members must be as diverse as possible, there must be a shared purpose and expected outcome, and all decision-making must be mutual (avoidance of hierarchies).
Establish age appropriate shared jobs that rotate throughout the year and that will help build the classroom or home environment. Create a classroom or family chore chart that presents the chores as caring and leadership rather than a burden. Chores can contribute to self-sufficiency as well as community and harmony in the home or classroom. …
Help everyone in a group to get to a decision that they can be satisfied with by brainstorming and writing out a list of outcomes as well as responses to each outcome. Is there an outcome that most or all are pleased with? If not everyone is pleased with any one outcome, is there an …
Teach youth that anger can be a healthy emotion, and that it informs us about the importance of an issue. Teach them to remain calm when dealing with anger by breathing deeply and using attentive body language. Teach them how to help an angry person discover the cause of their anger by restating. Use “I” …
Map out the larger system within which a conflict or an issue resides. Discover how the system might be reinforcing the conflict or issue. Identify breaks in the system, rules and regulations reinforcing the conflict, etc. Map solutions for shifting the system. Network mapping (analysis of how a network is connected) is a powerful tool …
