Students Learn Stay Cool When Tensions Heat Up

Students at Ames Middle School in Chicago received important lessons in how to cool tensions and warm relationships as part of Elev8 Chicago's summer learning programs.

Each afternoon at 4 PM, a daily "peace circle hour" was formed with students and staff. The activity was meant to build trust and reduce conflict by giving the students a chance to express themselves. Having this forum to talk through problems helped students learn how to facilitate resolutions rather than resentment.

"It helps everybody vent," explained student Angel Cintron. "Whatever they say stays in the circle," he explained, "so they feel safe."

Staff members were also able to talk about their own frustrations with student behavior in a way that didn't make students feel accused. As result, students tended to listen and respond. "Usually, they admit when they're acting wrong and give the reason. And we try to resolve it," explained Juliet Maldonado, one of the summer program leaders.

Creating social supports for middle school students is one goal of Elev8 Chicago. Teaching conflict resolution has taken on a special urgency at Ames. In the past year, the school lost two of its students to gang violence.

As the group evolved, ground rules were established: Listen to others with respect, don't interrupt and what goes on in the circle stays in the circle--a rule that students said they took seriously.

As students got to know each other, staff said they witnessed some startling transformations. Several students regarded as troublemakers in school emerged as leaders in the circle. One girl considered "weird" became accepted once the others understood her better. "She's one of the cool girls now," Maldonado observed.

Gradually, the staff handed over much of the circle's leadership to students. Beyond conflict resolution students were able to explore a number of issues--from parents to politics--whatever was on their minds.

The peace circle proved such a success during the summer that Ames added it to the Elev8 after-school program this fall.