We Practice Solving Small Problems Peacefully!
If students are expected to behave calmly and foster a peaceful community, we have to give them the tools to do that. Each grade K-5 has the opportunity to work on identifying problems and then being able to practice different strategies to them on their own!
Olive Branch (used in 1st grade classroom lessons)
Red & Yellow show us what it looks like to have a problem with a friend, but then be able to work it out peacefully.
This video series is brought to you by The Little Light Foundation.
This video series is brought to you by The Little Light Foundation.
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Olive Branch ~ Food Trouble The 2 friends solve their problem by working together & sharing! |
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Olive Branch ~ Cold Problem Red & Yellow use Sharing to solve this conflict! Olive Branch ~ Too Loud Problem Red & Yellow make a deal (or compromise) to solve this problem. |
Some favorite resources are Solution Wheels
along with our Peace Posters!
A few tips on how to best use the Solution Wheels:
- These strategies need to be done PEACEFULLY ~ also known as... calmly. If they are not done this way, the small problem could turn into a medium problem!
- There is no right or wrong solution to solve your small problem, just the choice that is best for you.
- You can combine strategies until your small problem is solved, for example: If someone takes your pencil without asking you could...... Wait & Cool Off (take a deep breath), then Tell them to Stop. If that doesn't work, Talk it Out.
'La Rueda de Opciones' was chosen for Park Spanish Immersion classrooms. The reason for the difference is because there is to be no English posted in immersion schools. However I still wanted the kids to have a tool they could use with similar options to the above wheel while at school.
This particular wheel was found on TpT store "Spanish Immersion Stuff" for free! This download also includes an English version of the wheel, too. So many choices!!
I sent home the Solution Wheel 2.0 (above) with all students in grades 1-4 so they could decorate their wheels and make them their own for at home.
Practicing How to Use the Wheels
In the classroom, I shared the below YouTube video featuring an expert problem-solver, Kelso the frog the 2nd grade classes. It has an example of a small problem that can happen at home. Most of the students were able to connect to it and think about what solutions they would use if they were in that same situation.
More videos can be found by simply searching: Kelso's Choices in Action on YouTube!
More videos can be found by simply searching: Kelso's Choices in Action on YouTube!
Size of the Problem
In order to solve problems most efficiently, it is important to be able to decipher what size a problem is. To make it easy, I concentrate on 3 categories - Small, Medium & Big. There are also some short questions to ask to help you figure it out:
small: Can I fix this problem by myself?
Medium: Do I need help from an adult an Upstander?
BIG: Do I need to call 911?
There are many resources out there to assist with this lesson from Superflex to Zones of Regulation.
small: Can I fix this problem by myself?
Medium: Do I need help from an adult an Upstander?
BIG: Do I need to call 911?
There are many resources out there to assist with this lesson from Superflex to Zones of Regulation.
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Glassman from the Superflex curriculum
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Books:
The Sandwich Swap by Maria Dismondy
Stick & Stone by Beth Ferry
Duck & Goose by Tad Hills
Stick & Stone by Beth Ferry
Duck & Goose by Tad Hills
