Exercise 8.6. – Punishment versus positive conflict resolution

Living Democracy » Textbooks » Exercise 8.6. – Punishment versus positive conflict resolution
Educational objectives The students are encouraged to accept the notion of law and of rules in a group.
The students are able to accept differences and to take part in decision-making processes.
They develop their creative potential in resolving conflicts.
Resources Set of student handouts: “List of punishments”.

Procedure

  1. The students brainstorm forms of punishment. This introduction to the lesson addresses them as experts, as they may draw on experience and observation. They may already add comments.The teacher distributes the handout “List of punishments” to the students, and they read it in silence.
  2. The students discuss in small groups (three or four) which punishments make sense and which ones do not.
  3. The groups share their results with the other groups (the jigsaw arrangement is useful here; see Exercise 5.3).
  4. The students return to their groups and discuss which punishment, if any, should be imposed in the following situations:
    • A student arrives late at school.
    • A student has not done his homework.
    • A student disturbs work in class.
    • A student offends a classmate because of his/her ethnic origin or religious beliefs.
    • A male student molests a female student.
    • A student is violent in class/during break.
  5. Plenary session: the students present their results.The follow-up discussion could deal with the following question: are there any alternatives to imposing a punishment (e.g. mediation between the wrong-doer and the victim)?

Extension

The students act out a scene of positive, creative conflict resolution in class.

Materials

Student handout

List of punishments

  1. Writing a poem
  2. Telling a fairy tale to littie children
  3. Presenting jokes and quizzes to the class
  4. Ten push-ups for swearing
  5. Standing in class after school as many minutes as you came in late in the morning
  6. Standing up while writing
  7. Preparing a lesson for the class
  8. One hour of gardening
  9. Cleaning the recreational area
  10. Cleaning the classroom
  11. To be dismissed from the lesson
  12. Running round the school building ten times
  13. Detention during break
  14. Extra work in one of your weak subjects
  15. Payment of a fine which contributes to cover general expenses
  16. Writing an excuse
  17. Further suggestions …

 

Exercise 8.5. - The statues
Exercise 8.7. - Minorities
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