Peace Learning Circles
The mission of Peace Learning Circles of Kenosha & Racine (PLC) is to promote a culture of peace through education to youth and communities. Since its inception in 2006, it has taught conflict resolution skills to over 2500 students. Peace Learning Circles hosts 4th grade classrooms to a fun-filled five hour workshop at one of our Peace Centers in Kenosha or Racine. Designed for groups of 30 or less, students participate in experiential activities where the focus is on building pro-social relationship skills by learning 6 peace tools: peace breath, I Message, Rephrase, Peace Apology, Ready? Set…Go! conflict resolution model and Peace Moves, a safe way to back away for a physical confrontation. Non-violent alternatives, exploring feelings, cooperation and team-building, communication, empathy and diversity are a sampling of the topics offered. Facilitators follow-up with 3 additional classroom visits, or “boosters”, to ensure that the students are successfully using the skills they were taught and to teach additional skills. While PLC has worked primarily with 4th grader classes, our all-school pilot program will begin in the upcoming 2009-2010 school year.
When a school adopts the Peace Learning School Model, it is with the intention of creating a culture of peace and respect within the school. Staff and students begin to speak a common language and model common practices and values that contribute to a more peaceful community. With the understanding that conflict is a natural part of our lives, members of the community learn safe and effective ways to address conflict when it occurs and prevent the escalation that can lead to violence.
For more information contact Sue Hollow at jshollow12@yahoo.com or 262-681-0135 or Chris Kugel at kugel@uwp.edu or 262-595-2402.
Newsletters
Brochure
Peace Learning Circles video (3 minutes)
For further information about Peace Learning Circles, see: http://peacelearningcircles.cfsites.org/
