Tattle Tale Remedy: The Peace Table

 Today was our first day of school and I survived! More importantly, all of my kids arrived home safely...because that's really the MOST important accomplishment on the first day, especially for the little ones (am I right, K-2 teachers)! We spent the whole day a lot of time going over rules and such, but we jump right into some academics as well.  My old friends (in Montessori, we call everyone friends) settled right back into the swing of things and my newbies are getting there.  I literally teach and model everything--how to interrupt politely, how to get a pencil, how to walk in the room, how to sit in a chair, how to push in a chair, how to whisper, how to put a book bag on a hook...everything.  It will save you time and save your nerves.  In this post I'll share a little about my peace table.

 

This is my beloved peace table.  This is the place where students solve their little problems (I take care of the big problems).  The Montessori philosophy values everyone's feelings and encourages verbal expression.  This is how it works:

1.  A student has a disagreement/tizzy/problem with another student.

2.  They say, "Will you come with me to the peace table?"

3.  Both students go to the peace table.

4.  The person who initiated the peace table meeting picks up that rose that you see on the table and says, "I didn't like it when you made a mean face at me." They hand the other person the rose so that they have a chance to speak. (only the person holding the rose may speak, but each person must hold the rose at least once)

5.   The other person apologizes and then they decide if they will just say sorry, give a hug, or shake hands.

6.  They both walk away and all is well.

This entire process usually take anywhere from less than a minute to 2 minutes, I would say.  There are absolutely times I have to intervene, but it's rare.  There are times when a little friend declines an invitation to the peace table (hilarious), but rare.  This eliminates pretty much all of the tattle tale issue because they are fixing the small issues on their own! WINNING!!  I LOVE watching and listening as they solve their little problems, especially when they first learn how to use it.  This not only promotes independence and problem solving, but it teaches them how to verbalize their thoughts and feelings.  This must be modeled though...a ton! I will probably be reviewing for the rest of this week and all of next week.  It's so worth it.  So let this little idea bless you in your classroom this year! Here's to fewer tattle tales this year!