The Peacemaker Project: Promoting a Peaceful End of the Year

Towards the end of the year, the increase in "tattling" is inevitable. The students are growing restless as the end is near. They've spent the last nine months together and need a break. Kids are getting on each others' nerves now more than ever. The little stuff that didn't bother them at the beginning of the year is now constantly being brought up. "She's looking at me," is the most common complaint followed closely by "He bumped into me." Seriously.

As a way to combat this negativity, I created the THE PEACEMAKER PROJECT. Rather than focus everything negative, I want to redirect students' energy towards the positive aspects of their peers.

To begin the program, I spent a few minutes teaching my students about what it means to be a peacemaker. A peacemaker decides that they care more about a friendship than winning an argument. We watched this Kid President video on things we should say more often. We also discussed strategies which peacemakers use such as ignoring comments and walking away. 

After our discussion, the students and I created a "Be a Peacemaker" bulletin board. Every time a student is seen being a peacemaker, they get specific praise. They also get a small peace sign to decorate and add to the Peacemaker board. As you can see, it's getting pretty full!

Throughout the week, students also can nominate their peers for the Peacemaker of the Week. At the end of each week, we award a winner!

How do you keep the peace at the end of the year?

-Carly

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