Peace Learning Center
Peace Learning Center
This is not a program but a process. It is a sequence of events that lead to the development of a positive environment within the school that promotes human growth and learning. How is this achieved? Students are led through a series of fun activities that promote a feeling of inclusion. These activities help students to create an atmosphere of trust and support for one another in their classroom. There are a wide range of activities, discussions and games that promote the essential elements needed for individuals to feel that they belong to a group.
The basis for this approach is that we understand that students achieve because they:
- Feel included and appreciated by peers and teacher
- Are respected for their different abilities, cultures, gender, interests and dreams
- Are actively involved in their own learning
- Have positive expectations from others that they will succeed.
The clear purpose of our Peace Learning Center
The clear purpose of our Peace Learning Center is to assure the healthy development of every child at GPS so that each one has the knowledge, skills and resiliency to be successful in a rapidly changing world
The program achieves these important goals through four essential agreements being honored by the whole school community:
- Attentive listening
- Appreciation/no put downs
- Mutual respect, and
- The right to pass
Students also learn a set of collaborative skills so they can work well together in long-term groups. The focus is on how to:
- Help each other work on tasks
- Set goals and solve problems
- Monitor and assess progress
- Celebrate achievements
The learning of academic material and self-responsible behavior is assured because teachers utilize methods based upon brain-compatible learning, multiple intelligences, cooperative learning and social development research.