Peace Table Notes

- There is a small photo of every child and the word peacekeepers on the wall next to it. There is also a pict of myself and my assistant when we were children. They come to rely on the photos being there and identifying themselves as peacekeepers/problem solvers.
- The table is covered with beautiful, soothing fabric that is rotated a few times a year. There is a small plaque that states the speaking and listening process using "I" messages. There is also a peace ball and a wheel of choices. The peace ball is a rainbow colored hacky-sack that serves the same purpose as the peace rose. The ball is gives a sensory outlet for frustration and feels really good to squeeze. (There are times when it gets tossed, but this is easily redirected and I have never seen it tossed in anger. The wheel of choices is a pie-like wheel that has words and pictures of 12 choices the children could make in resolving conflict. A few of the choices are; take a stop and cool off, count to ten and breathe, walk away, go back and try again, ignore it, use and I message, share and take turns, appologize, go to another work, what would love do. There is a blank spot for them to come up with their own idea.
-On stressful days where the feeling of peace is ellusive; but it does not warrent a class meeting, we will gather and toss the peace ball (gently underhand) to one another stating one way we can be a peacekeeper today.

Posted by: "jim blanchard" or Michelle