A simple, effective parallel thinking technique developed by E. de Bono that helps people be more productive, focused, and mindfully involved. It forces people to move outside of their habitual thinking styles and get a more rounded view of a situation. Team members learn how to separate thinking into six clear functions and roles. Each …
The Silk Road carried trade from cultures embracing numerous religions and worldviews. Stretching from Italy to Japan, the Silk Road runs through Buddhist, Confucian, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Shinto, and Taoist cultures. Youth reflect on similarities and differences between belief systems. Using quotations from philosophical and religious texts, they are asked to organize quotations into …
Have youth think individually and record their views about a particular issue. Then have them share their ideas with one another. Teachers/parents can foster careful listening by having youth be responsible for representing their partners in a group share-out and discussion. The act of sharing another person’s ideas builds compassion and collaboration. By entrusting our …
What do we want to see in our community, classroom or home? Identify shared rules together. Call them “peace actions” or ask individuals what they want to call them. Individuals should select no more than 5 rules and should review them every day. Post these peace actions in a prominent place, and refer to them …
Make a storyboard of a particular event in history that involves a social injustice (slavery, women’s rights, settlers coming to America, Hawaiian history). Have youth create a supporting narrative and present to the class, highlighting the social injustice and how it may have been prevented. Display storyboards and have the youth do learning walkabouts while …
Find current events that may be similar to situations occurring in school or the home. For example, if youth discrimination, violence or mistreatment is an issue, find a current event that involves these issues. Deconstruct what happened—how does it apply to the current situation in our school or home? In addition to connecting school/home with …
There is usually one piece of paper and one pen for the team. A subject, idea or problem is introduced. One youth makes a written contribution and then passes the paper and pen to the next person. The paper and pen go around the table until each person has contributed. Round Robin is the oral …
Use a tangible object like a stick, a flower, a ball, or something important to the group to facilitate civil discussions and collaborative activities. Three rules are: 1) only the person with the item speaks, 2) all others focus on the person with the item in hand, and 3) anyone has the right to pass. …
A way of seeing situations play out and encouraging individuals to think critically about how to intervene, and in the process build compassion for alternate perspectives. Here are some scenarios that can be role-played with youth, in order to encourage them to think (and act) outside of themselves. * You see a kid looking sad …
Explore what role females played in various events in providing leadership for problem-solving, collaboration and working together. How is that different or similar from today?