Standard of Learning

6.7 The student will evaluate the benefits of becoming a positive role model within the family and the community. Key concepts/skills include:

1. involvement in community and family projects;
2. development of increased leadership-role participation;
3. development of conflict resolution skills;
4. demonstrate respect for the opinions and beliefs of other individuals;
5. respect for rules and regulations.

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Understanding the Standard

The student will respect rules and regulations, the opinions and beliefs of others, and understand that peer mediation skills help resolve conflicts.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

• define mediation. (a process in which a trusted person helps to settle a conflict)
• describe a mediator. (a person who helps two sides solve a problem reasonably)
• explain a conflict. (disagreement between two or more people)
• describe a put-down. (a negative remark that may make others angry)
• define respect. (having a high regard for others)
• explain why there are rules and regulations.
• describe mediation techniques:
  • agree on a trusted peer or adult;
  • set ground rules;
  • agree to treat each other with respect;
  • do not blame, name-call, fight, or push;
  • allow both sides to define the conflict;
  • list solutions to the conflicts; and
  • judge each solution. Will the solution result in actions that:
    • are helpful?
    • are safe and non-violent?
    • are legal?
    • show respect for yourself and others?
    • follow the guidelines of responsible adults?
    • demonstrate good character?
• make a written agreement to try a solution.
• schedule a follow-up meeting.
• identify ways to show respect:
  • listen without interrupting;
  • consider the views of others when you disagree;
  • consider the feelings of others before you act;
  • follow through on what you agree to do;
  • build others up rather than putting them down; and
  • treat others in the same way you expect them to treat you.

Sample Lessons

Conflict Management Techniques
Grade(s) 4-12
The objective of this lesson is to identify personal management style(s), develop an awareness of strategies used in each conflict management style.  It is useful to assess our predominant conflict management style(s) because we tend to get stuck in one or two styles and apply them inappropriately.  The emphasis is not on judging any style right or wrong.  Each person determines their predominant conflict management style.
http://www.youth.net/cec/cecmisc/cecmisc.33.txt
Free

Discovery Education: Reality Matters, Big Decisions
Grade(s) 6-8
As the lesson goes on students will learn about influences of health, choices, and risk taking.  The middle-schoolers will be able to gain this knowledge by role-playing and answering questions amongst one another.
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/bigDecisions/
Free

Education World: "36 Public Policy Questions to Energize Your Government/History Classroom Debates "
Grade(s) 6-12
Students will  engage in discussion and debate relating to issues of importance to them and the world.  This lesson includes thirty-six open-ended questions relating to public policy issues that are in the new that examine issues from all perspectives. 
http://www.education-world.com/a_tsl/archives/07-1/lesson011.shtml
Free

Emotional Intelligence Summarizing the Mental Health Skills Needed to Live Happy, Healthy and Productive Lives
Grade(s) 4-6
In many ways the topic of emotional intelligence is seldom mentioned by adults or amongst young people themselves.  In these lessons, students will learn to use the skills of decision-making, communication, risk assessment, assertiveness and many more along the way.
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/peereducation.pdf
Free

LifeSkills Training
Grades: 6-8
Model substance abuse prevention and competency enhancement program focusing on the major social and psychological factors causing substance use and abuse. Teaches drug resistance skills, personal management skills, and general social skills. Includes self-image, self-improvement, decision-making, anger management, assertiveness, communication, media, and conflict resolution issues.
Contact: http://www.lifeskillstraining.com
Cost

Project Towards No Tobacco Use (TNT)
Grades 5-10
Model program to prevent or reduce tobacco use in youth. Ten core and 2 booster lessons. Includes effective refusal and coping skills; effects of media and advertisers; methods to build self-esteem; and strategies for advocating no tobacco use.
Sponsor: Department of Preventive Medicine, USC
Contact: http://www.etr.org
Cost

Promoting Alternative THinking Strategies (PATHS)
Grades K-6
Model program to promote emotional & social competencies and reduce aggression and acting out. Includes emotional literacy, self-control, social competence, positive peer relations, and interpersonal problem-solving skills.
Sponsor: Pennsylvania State University and Channing Bete Company
Contact: http://www.preventionscience.com
Cost

Responding in Peaceful and Positive Ways (RIPP)
Grades 6-8
Model 3-year violence prevention program. Includes importance of significant friends or adult mentors; relationship between self-image and gang-related behaviors; conflict resolution; and effects of environmental influences on personal health.
Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University
Contact: ameyer@saturn.vcu.edu

Social Emotional Learning Lesson grade(s) 5-8
Grade(s) 5-8
Students will learn to recognize own anger and develop appropriate responses
http://www.dist102.k12.il.us/internal/SELWebPg/COP5-8Oregon.htm
Free

Additional Instructional Resources

• Life Skills Curriculum
• Local Police
• Peer Mediation - http://education.indiana.edu/cas/tt/v2i3/peer.html

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• role-play a non-violent solution to the disagreement.
• develop posters that reflect the elements of successful peer mediation. Have the class vote on the most creative, most original, most effective, and most humorous posters.
• list characteristics of a people in healthy relationships. (They accept each other's differences, respect each other's values, and think about the rights and needs of the other person.)
• list put-downs and explain why they are inappropriate and make other people angry.
• explain why rules and regulations are important.

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