Although narrative structures are more easily remembered and come more naturally to youth, ask them to try these expository writing structures: Compare & Contrast (discuss the similarities and differences between people, places, items, or events, without bias); Problem & Solution (define a clear problem with multiple solutions and choose the best solution and explain why); …
Have youth adopt the perspective of those in history who are poorly represented or not represented in history books. With each news story, piece of literature, film clip, etc. that you share, ask youth to identify content that is emotional. Next ask them to respond empathetically to the central person featured in the literature, news, …
Getting people outside can do wonders for building capacities for problem solving. Through engaging nature, youth become calm, learn to listen carefully, develop their empathic response, become more respectful and more careful about their own actions, and take on leadership positions to protect nature. They feel peace and learn about the practical steps of civic …
Use drama and dance to build community, foster active learning, and support youth growth. Use both to aid classroom management, address multiple intelligences, and to develop abstract, creative and critical thinking skills. Assign various roles to youth in the “Theater Company” including: Playwright, Director, Choreographer, Actors and Actresses. Use dramatic play with young children to …
Pick a difficult topic around which there is conflict and get everybody “believing” they are right about one side of the problem. The process of believing involves absorbing, defending, and adopting the arguments. Then get everyone together “doubting” that same problem, deconstructing and critiquing it. Finally comes the “sharing,” when an individual finds the points …
Instead of “Don’t hit,” try “Touch nicely” and demonstrate. Reinforce by asking, “How do you touch nicely?” Instead of “Don’t touch the lamp,” say, “You can touch and play with the pans.” Instead of “Don’t run,” say “Please use your walking feet.” Instead of “Don’t speak that way,” say, “Please speak respectfully, like this…,” and …
This can be a very valuable and eye-opening exercise that can be done with all ages, child to adult. There are many definitions of peace in the world, some academic, others emotional, and many in between. The purpose of asking people their definition is to get them to reflect on the concept and what it …
Create a list or use pictures to chart individuals’ values, rules or expectations. Wherever there is a common value or expectation, you’ll find the foundation for a description of shared values, rules or expectations that will guide the groups’ behavior and interactions with one another moving forward.
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. …
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).
