Peacekeepers provides students with a safe and comfortable forum to share what they are feeling, beginning with the circle students form. The circle furnishes the strength and unity of the classroom community and imparts a non-threatening atmosphere from which students can speak. Likewise, the Peacekeeper process builds students’ confidence and provides the communication tools students need to share what is on their mind and to accept what others are expressing.
The 4th grade students in my classroom utilize the Peacekeeper process to appreciate and to uplift students’ spirits. They take advantage of the opportunity to share hurts and concerns and to make friends aware of the consequences of their actions.
Students at our School use the Peacekeeper circle to talk about collaboration: the positive results of working on a project with a small group and the obstacles that keep the group from being cohesive and achieving objectives. The Peacekeeper circle is a great fit with Project Based Learning. What I used to try to get students to do and say in regards to the PBL process through whole group instruction and conferencing, students undertake on their own, in a much more meaningful way, during Peacekeepers.
I greatly look forward to our weekly circles, and students do too!