Action Research
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
Courage
The tools have been grouped according to the “Ceed” or skill that they are attempting to guide, teach, or practice. Many of the tools in this toolkit correspond to more than one ceed and are therefore listed in multiple places.
Courage: The choice and willingness to confront uncertainty or intimidation; the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, discouragement, or personal loss. Courage requires confidence.
Be Positive, Not Negative
An activity for “peace within and between” that focuses on negative self-talk, negative thoughts and statements about others, and complaining. A good idea is to
Being Responsible Online
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
Bigger Than or Less Than
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
Buddy Bench
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
Change the Ending
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
Character Lenses
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
Compass Points
An interactive activity that increases awareness of our own and others’ preferences and opens doors to empathy. Create four signs on large chart paper –
Encourage and Encourage Some More
Find as many opportunities to acknowledge how hard our youth are working. It takes five words of encouragement for every one word of criticism for
Ethnomathematics
Defined by Brazilian mathematician Ubiratan D’Ambrosio as intersections of culture, historical traditions, socio-cultural roots, and mathematics. It seeks to answer the question of students in
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
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
Gratitude Journal
Keep a journal with writings and/or artwork to record and express what you are most thankful for in your life. There are many small things
How does it feel?
After analyzing the information surrounding a problem or challenge, what is your reaction? Were the systems fair? Why or why not? Identify one or two
Ho‘oponopono
Learn about Ho‘oponopono, the Hawaiian system for ‘setting it right,’ and restoring individual and community harmony and balance. It promotes acts of healing interpersonal conflicts
I Statements
Used to confront a behavior without placing blame on another. . Also used to recognize one’s emotions. Another use is to state a point of
I Wish My ________ Knew
Have youth respond in writing to the prompt “I wish my __________________ (fill in person or role) knew…….” in order to learn more about their
Identify Needs & Interests
More likely than not, when people are angry or upset, they are expressing their “position” or a hardline stance on something. It’s important to teach
In Their Shoes
To help youth better understand those who are disabled, it could be helpful to have them explore what it’s like to be “in their shoes”.
Labels
It is important to talk with youth about labels and the stereotypes that go along with them. Do peers call your child a “jock” or
Leadership Lessons
How do leaders lead? What do they do? What do they need to know to be successful? This activity assumes that leadership can be learned
Literature Circle
Use a literature circle to discuss major elements of a story that is developmentally appropriate to the audience. Include its characters and events. Are the
Logical Consequences
Use discipline to develop character and not to punish. Discipline means “to teach” and should not be punitive but should help a child to grow
Mistakes & Learning
Establish a culture in your classroom or home where mistakes are welcomed and used as learning opportunities. Normalize mistakes by discussing them at mealtime or
Modeling Self-Awareness
At mealtimes, during commutes, or whenever there is time to talk with a teen, let them know how you are feeling and why. For example,
My Kuleana
When discussing a current or historical event, have youth draw, write about, paint or publicly express what their kuleana (responsibility) would have been or is
Outside Comfort Zone
Activity that gets people out of their comfort zone, and gradually used to a new way of thinking. Have person fold their hands together and
Patterns of Connection
Approximately once a month (or more often), have students write down four names – 3 classmates that they want to get to know better, work
Peer Mediation
Train youth to be peer mediators. Use video to demonstrate what mediation looks like (i.e.: community heroes who help others and provide basic mediation skills).
Play It Out
Create an end of the semester or end of the year skit or play on a particular historical event. Each child/student has a role. Play
Pohaku Bowl
Have a public bowl where everyone has his or her own (identified) stone. There should also be a few unidentified stones. All stones are set
Power of the Bystander
The bystander is one of the most critical, if not the most critical person in a conflict. Teaching youth how to successfully and confidently intervene
Reframing
Use reframing to defuse anger and keep dialogue open and positive. To reframe, take a negative statement and remove the emotionally-charged, damaging, and accusatory words,
Role Play
A way of seeing situations play out and encouraging individuals to think critically about how to intervene, and in the process build compassion for alternate
Rose and Thorn
A very simple communication and exploration exercise that can take place with youth and adults just about anywhere. Ideally, it would be used in a
Saving Face
Teach youth the importance of face-saving in a conflict. Teach them how to calm themselves or another angry person through deep breathing and validation of
Silent Signals
Adults often talk too much and our youth tune out. A silent signal speaks louder than words. Smile and point to the shoes that need
Socratic Seminar
Titled after the Greek philosopher, Socratic dialogue transforms a student’s learning experience by allowing youth to generate and express their own ideas via the teacher
Stoplight
To help young people deal with feelings of anger and frustration, try using the visual of a stoplight: green is calm, yellow is frustrated, and
Story Board
Make a storyboard of a particular event in history that involves a social injustice (slavery, women’s rights, settlers coming to America, Hawaiian history). Have youth
Structured Academic Controversy
An opportunity to explore controversial issues and divergent positions and work to reach consensus on what may have happened– highlighting the complexities of particular perspectives,
Thankenstein
Adult writes at the top of a blank paper, “I’m so grateful that if I were a monster created by a mad scientist, my name
The World Peace Game
TWPG is an elaborative hands-on, youth-driven game/exercise. Founded in 2010, TWPG Foundation is dedicated to sharing the global mission of peace, developing self-awareness, and the
Think Tac Toe
An alternative assessment method that can be used with all grades and subject areas. In the tic-tac-toe 9-square grid, list a variety of activities and
Three Things About You
An activity that allows for exploration of diversity and elimination of stereotypes. Ask each person to write down three things that no one would know
Try It On
n exploring conflict, commit to trying on different perspectives in the conflict. Draw out of a bowl a particular role with an attached explanation. Play
Upstander
A person who recognizes when something is wrong and then acts to make it right; doing one’s best to help support and protect someone who
What Should We Do?
Show pictures and/or video of certain situations at school and in the surrounding neighborhood. Examples include: seeing garbage on the floor, an elderly person dropping
Where Were Women and Girls?
Explore what role females played in various events in providing leadership for problem-solving, collaboration and working together. How is that different or similar from today?
Whole Child
Design lessons that focus on the whole child, including: health, nutrition, home life, community life, culture, emotions, and safety. Reflect on all that a child
Yes, But to Yes, And
A great way to foster collaboration and validate the opinions of all people in a discussion. Try this: With a partner, choose a topic to