Conflict Resolution/Violence Prevention

by Andrea Grimes
NJ Learn and Serve America
Service Learning Coordinator
Middlesex County Vocational & Technical High Schools
112 Rues Lane
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
732-254-8700 x48

Teaching Team: Several English
Teachers & VICA Coordinators
Working with Service Learning Coordinator

School: Middlesex County Vocational & Technical High Schools, Special Needs

Grade Level: 11

Timeline:
The project takes place over the course of the school year and is divided into sections; general education, intensive training/field trips, creation of presentations/field trips and community service. Each section varies in length according to student progress.

Project Scheduling:
Training occurs during allotted Language Arts period. Field trips and presentations are scheduled during the school day and coincide with relevant classroom activity.

Equipment Needed:
If technology component is included: computers with Power Point, video recording and editing equipment.

The Arts (Visual and Performing)
Students prepare and edit a video on conflict resolution. The presentations include role-plays and/or rap songs. Students create posters on ABCs of conflict resolution.

Language Arts
Students use oral language by participating in role play situations, participate in panel discussions, present extemporaneous speeches, and use written language to prepare a manual on conflict resolution. Students apply communications skills through presentations.

Special Education
All of the students involved in this project are classified as having special needs.

Technology
Students utilize word processing to prepare manual and prepare Power Point presentations.

School-to-Work Transition:
Students develop the conflict resolution and communication skills they need to solve problems in the work place. On a field trip to the Middlesex County Courthouse students observe lawyers and judges resolving conflicts in a court setting. On a field trip to New Jersey Network students observe the process of producing a television program from scriptwriting through to editing.

Personal Growth Outcomes:
Students directly transfer the skills and they have learned in the classroom to the "real world". They also get to become "teachers" and understand how they can positively impact their community and the world.

Community Involvement:
A representative from the County Prosecutor's Office discusses bias crimes with students. A minister from United Methodist Church discusses community service and good citizenship with students. Students observe a mock mediation at a local law school and observe a trial at the county courthouse.

Celebration:
Students, community partners and teachers attend a recognition ceremony that takes place after training and presentations are completed.

Parents and Volunteer Involvement:
Parents and volunteers chaperone field trips and are invited to recognition ceremonies.

Reflection Activities:
Students prepare focus questions for field trip and complete evaluations about field trips and presentations. They also participate in group discussions after filed trips and presentations.

Means of Assessment:
Class assignments, student presentations, and posters.

Hurdles Encountered:

Hurdles
Taking large groups of students to courthouses, law school, television stations.

Solution
Take small groups of students and for teacher and parent volunteers to help chaperone the trips.