Šabcteach                           Peace Circle:  Getting Started

Before I get into the suggestions for starting a Peace Circle in your classroom or school, please note that there are many ways to approach this concept.  The ways that work best are the ones that you design with students, teachers, and your community.

  1. Why have a Peace Circle?  You need to decide what your goal is for your classroom or school. Your goal may be to meet and discuss manners, diversity, or conflict resolution.  What is your goal?____________________________.

  2. Where will we have our Peace Circle? There are many places to conduct a Peace Circle.  If your whole school or grade level are included, the gym is a perfect spot. Students can form a circle (or circles).  The circle works well because you are facing each other.  If you are having a peace circle in your room, then any open area would work.

  3. What will you discuss at peace circle?  There are many issues that can be discussed at peace circle.  Here are some suggestions:

manners

peaceful ways to settle conflicts

celebrate diversity

A-Z of peace (each week have an assigned room or student come up with a peace word or concept to present.  For example: A is for Accepting others, B is for best behavior..etc.

community service projects

   4.  How will students present material at the Peace Circle?  The students and classroom in charge of the peace circle on a particular week can present their work in many ways.  Here are some suggestions;

Make banners and posters that depict your topic.

Read poetry that they have written.

Role play situations that demonstrate their topic.

Honor others who have displayed the qualities (manners, for example).

    5.   What is the format of the peace circle?  You may design this anyway you like.  At Knudsen Elementary  the format was as follows:

Children come into the gym quietly and sit in circles (pre-assigned).

When all are present, the principal or a teacher asks the students to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance .

At this time we sang a song.  This could be a patriotic song or a peace song.

Students then sit.

Classroom presentations:  The classroom in charge gets up and explains their project or presentation.  Kids show there posters or read poetry or act out a skit.

Discussion  of focus for the next week ( for example:  We want you to practice the manner of saying Thank you, or This is a no teasing week).

Final Song:  Let there be Peace on Earth.  Kids, parents, and staff all hold hands and sing.

Dismissal, very quietly leave gym for classrooms.

This is just one of many ways to run a peace circle.

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