Conflict Resolution Education - National Criminal Justice Reference ...

Chapter 4: Peaceable Classroom
Approach
Peaceable Classroom: A whole-classroom methodology
that includes teaching students the foundation abilities,
principles, and one or more of the three problem-solving
processes of conflict resolution. Conflict resolution education
is incorporated into the core subjects of the curriculum
and into classroom management strategies. Peaceable
classrooms are the building blocks of the peaceable school.
Peaceable classrooms are initiated on a teacher-byteacher
basis. The peaceable classroom approach
integrates conflict resolution into the curriculum
and into the management of the classroom and uses
the instructional methods of cooperative learning
and academic controversy.
Curriculum Integration and
Classroom Management
Curriculum integration occurs when the skills and
concepts needed to resolve conflicts constructively
are incorporated into core subject areas. Teachers
who integrate conflict resolution into their curriculums
help create classroom environments that support
conflict resolution and prosocial behavior.
William Kreidler, a pioneer of the peaceable classroom,
views the classroom as a caring and respectful
community having five qualities: cooperation,
communication, emotional expression, appreciation
for diversity, and conflict resolution. 1 Peaceable
classrooms incorporate learning activities and teachable
moments that encourage youth to recognize
and choose nonviolent options in conflict situations,
meet the needs of the individuals involved, and
improve relationships.
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Each of us must be the change we want to
see in the world.
Mahatma Gandhi
Cooperative Learning and
Academic Controversy
Teachers in peaceable classrooms extensively use
the cooperative learning and academic controversy
methods developed by David Johnson and Roger
Johnson. In cooperative learning, students work
in small groups to accomplish shared learning goals.
Students have the responsibility to learn the assigned
material and ensure that other group members
learn it. 2 Academic controversy methods are
used when one student’s ideas, information, conclusions,
theories, and opinions are incompatible with
those of another and the two seek to reach an agreement.
Controversies are resolved through deliberate
discourse—the discussion of the advantages and disadvantages
of proposed actions. Such discussion is
aimed at creative problem solving by synthesizing
novel solutions. 3
In peaceable classrooms, youth learn to take responsibility
for their actions and develop a sense
of connectedness to others and their environment.
Peaceable classrooms build the capacity of youth
to manage and resolve conflict on their own by
learning to:
♦ Understand and analyze conflict.
♦ Understand peace and peacemaking.
♦ Recognize the role of perceptions and biases.