
Conflict Resolution Download
$4.00
Integration Ideas: Character Education
Concepts/Skills Taught: Character
Room Arrangements:
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:
- Developing personal character traits
- Learning to handle conflict
- 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 TRAITS | Practicing 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 CONFLICT | Conflict 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-CARE | Learning 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 |