As you try to manage your classroom and come up with rules and expectations, it can be difficult to stay on track. You want to have a strong classroom family who honor, care and respect each other. That means quietly working when needed, offering a compliment to a friend and not criticism for the work they have done, taking care of classroom supplies by not breaking pencils or leaving glue sticks without lids so that they dry up, putting centers and toys away in their proper places, taking care of books, and making sure litter is picked off the floor. When your students engage in these actions, to whom are they expressing gratitude without actually saying the words?

THANK YOU!!!!

Thank you to the caretaker when I pick up garbage off the floor.

Thank you to my parents for purchasing supplies when I take care of them.

Thank you to my teacher for sharing her materials and toys when I ensure they are put away properly.

Thank you to the librarian who shares the schools’ book collection with me as I take care of the books.

There are countless ways to express gratitude through our everyday actions and choices. In my experience with effective classroom management, I find it helpful to categorize behaviors into two terms: peacemaker and peacebreaker. Often the leading question would be, “Are your choices showing me that you are being a peacemaker or a peacebreaker?”. Before showcasing the posters, we would discuss the characteristics of a peacemaker versus a peacebreaker. I would display two posters as visual aids for the children, referring back to them whenever necessary. It becomes a great learning tool. Conversations around…. was that choice peacemaking or peace breaking?

David Shannon has a wonderful collection of books that help teach about peace breaking choices. These stories can be used to establish and cultivate classroom rules and expectations. No David by David Shannon is an excellent book to read to your students as well as David Goes to School. Quite simply, David makes choices that get him into trouble. He is being a peacebreaker. I like the stories because you can dissect them with your students, pausing the video when you want to make a point. I play the video through the first time and when I play it a second time, I pause it when I have something to say about it. I play the video in September to set the tone and expectations I require in my classroom, and I refer back to the videos when my students need to regroup and remember the traits of a peacemaker and peacebreaker. It helps create a strong classroom climate if you review these concepts and required behaviors that you expect from your students.

When your students can see peace breaking choices being played out, they can see and understand why David should have made different choices.

Some of those choices are:

David not putting away his toys. David chewing with his mouth full. David coloring on the walls. And my personal favorite, David picking his nose and eating it. Honestly, it is difficult to watch but honestly it speaks volumes, and the problem of nose picking is a problem no more.

Important Lesson

The key message I want my students to take away is that everyone makes mistakes and can sometimes act as a peacebreaker. In those instances, it may be necessary to apologize. In the video, David’s mom embraces him and tells him she loves him. This conveys the most crucial lesson: even after making a poor choice, love remains unconditional, and you will always be supported in seeking a better choice next time.

The Peacemaker package offers a variety of engaging materials, including posters, a reflective piece, and a peacemaker certificate. Additionally, it features a game that my students absolutely adore. It’s a twist on charades where speaking is allowed. Students are presented with different scenarios and take turns performing them for their classmates, acting as either an actor or actress. The scenarios revolve around themes of peacemaking or peace breaking, and it’s up to the students to determine which they are portraying.

There’s plenty of laughter, especially when students act as peacebreakers, which often involves them being rude, even if they aren’t typically that way. For example, one scenario might involve a student saying to their mom, “Ewww, this is gross,” while she is cooking dinner. Although this can feel awkward to perform, it’s essential to remind the kids that it’s all in good fun and a chance to showcase their acting skills. Once the initial nerves settle, they genuinely enjoy performing and eagerly ask when they can participate in drama again.

Come together as a class and build a community of peacemakers. Build an environment where, when mistakes occur, your students feel supported, loved, and encouraged to learn and grow from their experiences. Foster a classroom environment that nurtures the development of caring, strong, resilient and responsible citizens.