Conflict Resolution Download

$4.00

Integration Ideas: Character Education
Concepts/Skills Taught: Character
Room Arrangements:

SKU: 4488 Category:

Description

Character Education and Conflict Resolution

The essence of drama is conflict and tension. It is the conflict in drama that propels the story to its resolution. Because drama is a heightened and controlled expression of life, relationships, and emotions, it can be a safe place for people of all ages to work through frustration, anger, and violent tendencies of character. 

Good drama leaders begin by establishing a safe, non-judgmental environment, then engage students in discussing the causes and effects of violence in the context of story. They can reshape the violent moment into alternate choices, and they can design dramatic moments, distanced from the violence, to let participants gain new perspective on events, attitudes, and actions.

Conflict is no stranger to theatre; drama is built on the premise of conflict.  What could be a more natural resource with which to explore conflict resolution?”  - Patricia Sternberg, Theatre for Conflict Resolution


Three major areas through which drama can impact violent behavior are:

  1. Developing personal character traits
  2. Learning to handle conflict
  3. Learning to like and care for the self

The chart that follows (also available as a PDF file) offers some ideas on how and why to integrate drama and conflict resolution:

Use DRAMA for: What can be included in Character Education Curriculum?Kindergarten Drama Activities from Erickson Drama/Learning Program:Concepts K-8 to Integrate Drama:
DEVELOPING PERSONAL CHARACTER TRAITSPracticing Empathy and Respect• Identify emotions
• Identify actions that cause emotions
• Analyzing consequences
• Alternative courses of action
• Finding Myself in Drama
• Henny Penny
• The Three Billy Goats Gruff
• Group process skills
• Character development from cross cultural perspectives
• Problem solving
• Imitating emotions
• Praising others and self
Studying the Lives of Real People• Great leaders
• Historical choices
• Current conditions related to past choices
• Biographies• Adding details
• Types of conflict
• Solving conflict
• Listening
LEARNING TO HANDLE CONFLICTConflict Structure• Types of conflict
• Beginning, middle, and end of conflict
• Stereotyping/ labeling
• Alternative courses of actions
• Analyzing conflict in literature/media
• Causes of conflict
• The Three Billy Goats Gruff
• Caveman
• Seeds & Plants: Carrot Seed
• Types of conflict
• Solving conflict
• Beginning, middle, end of story
• Imitation
• Critical analysis
• Action/Reaction
• Character stereotypes
• Character analysis
Predicting Consequences• Analyzing events
• Analyzing consequences
• The Snowman
• Humpty Dumpty
• Charlie Lesson
• Prop Box
• Seeds Grow/Greedy Little Fish
• Seeds & Plants: Empty Pot
• Action/Reaction
• Characterization
• Plot details
• Dramatic/story structure
• Comparing story to everyday life
Negotiation Skills• Negotiation strategies
• Group process skills
• Listening
• Brainstorming
• Finding Myself in Drama
• Working with Space
• Elves and the Shoemaker
• Caps for Sale
• Concentration
• Listening
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Personal space
• Body movement
• Group process skills
• Negotiation strategies
Emotion Management• Identify emotions & body response
• Anger management
• Making choices
• Identifying actions that cause emotions
• Emotions Lesson
• Caveman
• Introducing 5 Senses
• Magic Carpet
• The Three Billy Goats Gruff
• I Woke Up this Morning
• 4 basic emotions
• 5 senses
• Use of voice and
• Space
• Action/Reaction
(Cause/Effect)
SELF-ESTEEM & SELF-CARELearning to Like and Care for Self• Building pride & self knowledge
• Create trust & belonging
• Control learning & self expression
• Build competence
• Mirror
• Caveman
• Seeds & Plants: Carrot Seed
• Risk taking
• There is more than one right answer in drama
• Focus on process not perfection
• Praising others and self