Weekly Meeting Ideas

• Student Mediation Manuals

  Discussion Questions: Assign as homework or as a group exercise.
• Do More Role-Plays: Consider bringing in trained mediators to help coach the role plays.
  (insert Role-Play Manuals with shopping link here)
• Videotape a Role play and Critique It- make sure not to overwhelm the role players with negative comments.
• Practice Reframing and Understanding Needs- as a group and in pairs.
• Practice Reflective Listening- use the examples in the manual or make up more
• Deal with Difficult Situations- (rotate mediators in a fishbowl set up).
• Do an Art Project or Contest- posters, logos, what peace looks like, conflict & conflict mediation
• Use Journaling- what peace means to me, dealing with difficult situations, being creative
• Bring in a Guest Speaker- mediator, judge, lawyer, mayor, facilitator, politician; have students think about questions to ask beforehand that relate to mediation
• Energizers and Team builders- keep things fun, see us for suggestions.
• Children's Literature or Storytelling- call us for a list of suggested stories.

• Using Stories To Prevent Violence and Promote Cooperation

  Tell Stories to Younger Students- find one with a message about conflict and peace and practice telling it.
• Design a Class or Performance for Parents- get parents involved and supportive
• Discuss and Practice Teacher-Student Mediations- this is an advanced process that should include an adult and always be voluntary; coordinators should receive additional training for this.
• Discuss and Practice Multi-party Mediations- this is an advanced process that should include an adult and always be voluntary; coordinators should receive additional training for this.
• Watch and Critique a Video on Mediation- see us for a list of videos
  Research a Community, State, National or International Conflict and Do a Mock Mediation- some examples might include environmental, workplace, political, ethnic or family mediations
• Review the Goals of the Program and Assess- consider writing a mission statement that expands on the present goals.
• Write Poetry or Have a Poetry Contest- start with a theme; work with another teacher
• Design Training for Younger Students- see Recommended Standards for School-Based Peer Mediation Programs as a base to work from.
• Lead a Discussion on How Students Can Run the Program- transfer ownership to the students in appropriate ways.
• Discuss Negotiation and Practice - master negotiation as well as mediation.
• Write Up Role play Scenarios- collect ideas and write them up to practice with.