Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
EdD Program in Child and Youth Studies
Advisor
Janice Rashid
Committee Member
Bruce Brydges
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Committee Member
Rochelle Green
Keywords
aggression, antisocial behavior, behavior problems, bullying, children, classroom management, conflict resolution, deviant behavior, elementary education, fighting, mediation, name-calling, non-violent techniques, peace, Peace Education, Peace Table, peace vocabulary, profanity, school discipline, second grade students, social skills, student behavior, suspensions, third grade students, time-out, violence
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to reduce fighting and bullying among second and third grade students. The behavioral plans used by individual teachers were ineffective. Students were exhibiting deviant behaviors in the form of fighting, bullying, using profanity and name-calling. Children were being placed in time out, and many were internally and externally suspended for antisocial behaviors. Teachers could not help students resolve conflicts using peaceful methods.
The writer developed a Peace Education curriculum to be used by teachers to reduce deviant behaviors in students. They used daily peace and conflict resolution strategies in their classrooms that assisted children to practice non-violent techniques. Teachers taught students a peace vocabulary including “I” messages, that assisted them with the daily challenges to remain peaceful. They also instructed children in the art of mediation. The Peace Table became a permanent symbol in the classroom, and many students used it for mediating problems.
An analysis of the data revealed that students were not suspended for fighting and bullying. Instead of engaging in physical confrontations, they used alternative methods to resolve conflict. While figures revealed that more students were placed in time-out this year than the previous one, antisocial behaviors decreased. Teachers revealed that students were manifesting good social skills.