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Letter to Colleagues: Peace and Conflicts Proposal

Dear Colleague,

I hope this letter finds you well.

This summer, I participated in an exciting and enriching experience with the LUTE Stem group exploring concepts like computation thinking, multimodal learning, problem-based learning, Costa and Kallick's Habits of Mind, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I am thrilled to inform you that my journey has led me to an idea that I would love to bring to the classroom in the Fall.

I would like to propose the development of a problem-based learning experience centered around the theme of "peace and conflicts." To prepare, I built a collection of multimedia resources and descriptions of interactive strategies on Nowcomment that focus on supporting students to come up with a solution to this question: "How can we create a peaceful environment?"

Exploring this question will get our learners to reflect on peace on a personal level. First, students will be introduced to a real world problem - establishing shared norms and expectations during the initial days of school to foster trusting relationships within our community. This is essential because I believe that students should contribute to the norms for their classroom. It is crucial to create a learning environment that is peaceful, respectful, and collectively agreed upon, where all voices are heard, and everyone feels their needs are met. It is important to contribute to the solution through a problem-based learning experience.

During this learning experience, students can share their perspectives on what peace means to them and visualize what peace means to them through activities like drawing maps and building models of peaceful learning spaces. To help them get deeper into solutions, they can learn more about conflict resolution, empathy, and understanding in the classroom through read alouds, videos, and images. We could invite the guidance counselor as a special guest so that students can learn more from an expert. Ultimately, we will have the learners develop solutions for how to establish a peaceful classroom environment. By engaging them with a problem that is directly relevant to their lives, we can instill a sense of ownership and responsibility in their pursuit of a peaceful learning environment.

This approach aligns perfectly with the habit, "Thinking Interdependently." Costa and Kallick say, "

Problem solving has become so complex that no one person can go it alone. No one has access to all the data needed to make critical decisions; no one person can consider as many alternatives as several people." This problem based learning experience will help our students understand the power of collaboration and that many voices lead to plenty of possible solutions.

By designing structures and protocols as a team, they will be setting the expectations for themselves and have greater agency towards upholding these mutual agreements.

To support students to consider peace on a global level, they will be introduced to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The specific SDG that we will learn about is Goal 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. This goal is about "promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development." I firmly believe that the core of this goal lies in fostering peace, which our students will be doing as they work together to create the type of classroom they need and desire.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this proposal. I hope you see how valuable this experience could be for our students. Please check out the collection that I started on Nowcomment and let me know what you think! I look forward to working with you on this!

Your Partner in Education,

Marina

DMU Timestamp: July 13, 2023 21:18

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Jul 24

caitlin l caitlin l (Jul 24 2023 6:09PM) : I love the idea of bringing in other ideas from different modes of learning (PD, a program such as this) as well as global organizations into the classroom.

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Jul 24

caitlin l caitlin l (Jul 24 2023 6:12PM) : It would be really interesting to see how students use their experiences (maybe both good and bad) to think of what a peaceful environment means to them.

Jul 28

Maureen W's Question Maureen W and/or Text-to-Self Mentor (Add meaningful details about yourself to the optional descriptive box) (Jul 28 2023 6:52PM) : What are the benefits of problem solving learning more

Text-to-Self Mentor (Add meaningful details about yourself to the optional descriptive box) with Maureen W's edits:

Students can benefit greatly from this kind of learning could look for examples in the text where the author emphasizes the connection between problem-solving skills and insight into peaceful environments. For instance, maybe they emphasize the need for creative solutions or offer strategies for working through difficult conflicts. By connecting your experiences to these issues, you can gain new insights into the text and how it can help you in your daily life. Additionally, take the time to consider how the author’s ideas can shape and inform your own decisions in situations of conflict or stress. Ask yourself, How can I use problem-solving skills to create a peaceful environment in my own life?

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Jul 24

Juela M Juela M (Jul 24 2023 3:41PM) : I like how she is going right on point and listing out how to approach this PBL.

Jul 24

Humayra I Humayra I (Jul 24 2023 3:43PM) : I really like how students will be involved in how their classroom will be. They get to voice their opinions as well as respect and listen to other's opinions as well. It helps create unity in the classroom.

Jul 24

Krystal R Krystal R (Jul 24 2023 6:14PM) : Establishing these classroom norms and making it a priority to include the students is a great approach to influence students to be engaged.

Aug 1

Maureen W's Question Maureen W and/or Text-to-Self Mentor (Add meaningful details about yourself to the optional descriptive box) (Aug 01 2023 6:42PM) : how do you foster a positive learning environment in a class. more

Text-to-Self Mentor (Add meaningful details about yourself to the optional descriptive box) with Maureen W's edits:

You have a vested interest in seeing that students in your class be able to foster positive learning environments to ensure that they are successful within the classroom. Understanding how to create shared norms and expectations is essential in achieving this. By engaging students in a problem-based learning experience that encourages collective agreement and allows for all voices to be heard, you can help ensure that the result is a dynamic and peaceful learning environment that works for everyone. Through your insightful understanding and guidance, you can build the foundation for a positive and successful learning space. Re-reading the text a few times and looking for more connections between your life and the text may reveal even deeper levels of understanding.

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Jul 24

Kathleen E Kathleen E (Jul 24 2023 3:40PM) : Love this idea! Students should be able to voice their opinions and contribute to their classroom environment!

Jul 24

Niki F Niki F (Jul 24 2023 3:42PM) : Peace begins with me more

I love the way you integrate the theme as you begin the school year and establish clasroom norms.

Jul 24

Shanice P Shanice P (Jul 24 2023 6:12PM) : You are definitely right when students voicetheir opinions and contribute to their classroom enviroment more ideas are being shared and everyone ideas will be taken into consideration

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Jul 24

Niki F Niki F (Jul 24 2023 3:43PM) : Multimodal literacy in action more

maps, visuals
not just words

Jul 24

Anika J's Question Anika J and/or Change Empath Teammate (Jul 24 2023 6:14PM) : How can we bring about an understanding of peace to these young students in various ways? more

Change Empath Teammate with Anika J's edits:

This is an example of how the writer is adapting their beliefs, values, and perspectives about what it means to foster peace, which could result in more meaningful actions being taken within the classroom. I encourage others to re-read the text and consider the impacts of this shift in perspective on the writer.

Jul 24

Julys G Julys G (Jul 24 2023 6:20PM) : Brilliant more

This proposal would impact the lives of each student.
Students will get involved to give solutions to a widespread problem.

Jul 24

Krystal R Krystal R (Jul 24 2023 6:21PM) : Providing different perspectives and resources is beneficial to students.

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Jul 24

Michelle O Michelle O (Jul 24 2023 6:10PM) : I really like this part because they will also see how their classmates view peace.

Jul 24

Shanice P Shanice P (Jul 24 2023 6:15PM) : This is great for getting all students views on peace and students will be explain to express it in not only words but pictures. This will benefit all learners

Jul 24

Brandy B Brandy B (Jul 24 2023 6:20PM) : I like this idea! Sharing their perspectives through activities like drawing maps and building models allow students to engage more productively and explore.

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Jul 24

Kathleen E Kathleen E (Jul 24 2023 3:41PM) : I think outside resources like bringing a guidance counselor in can keep students excited and engaged.

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Jul 24

Juela M Juela M (Jul 24 2023 3:43PM) : Problem-solving and critical thinking are so important in students developments because they become independent and problem solvers.

Jul 24

Glauca B Glauca B (Jul 24 2023 6:21PM) : Peaceful Environment more

Today’s world problems are too challenging for one person to solve on his or her own. Making important decisions involves gathering information from different resources. I believe students will learn the value of collaboration through this problem-based learning approach/experience.

Jul 24

Glauca B's Question Glauca B and/or Text-to-Self Mentor (Add meaningful details about yourself to the optional descriptive box) (Jul 24 2023 6:23PM) : how collaboration can help to get a solution to world peace? more

Text-to-Self Mentor (Add meaningful details about yourself to the optional descriptive box) with Glauca B's edits:

By working together, different perspectives can be shared and students can think through possible solutions for issues such as world peace in a creative manner. To successfully solve this type of problem, it is necessary to brainstorm multiple solutions and collaborate with one another in order to come up with an effective solution.

You have mentioned the value of collaboration and how it can help to get a solution to world peace. You have also expressed that it is important to gather information from different resources and that brainstorming is essential in order to find a good solution. By thinking through the different perspectives of this problem, you can create an innovative approach to finding a solution. It is important to have an open dialogue between people and to work together to better understand the issue. Together, by pooling our individual knowledge and creativity, a better path towards world peace can be found.

Jul 24

Humayra I Humayra I (Jul 24 2023 3:44PM) : Yes! It will help students to work with each other and find solutions as a whole.

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Jul 30

Cynthia N Cynthia N (Jul 30 2023 5:42AM) : It is really productive to engage in collaborative effort in solving problems. This gives room for diversity of ideas that can transform a system.

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Jul 24

Kathleen E's Question Kathleen E and/or Text-to-Self Mentor (Add meaningful details about yourself to the optional descriptive box) (Jul 24 2023 3:42PM) : Why is collaboration important for students? more

Text-to-Self Mentor (Add meaningful details about yourself to the optional descriptive box) with Kathleen E's edits:

Given that you emphasize collaboration in your own life and as an educator, this passage is particularly relevant to you. As you think about what it says, you might ask yourself how it applies to your own experience. What do you think when you consider that collaboration can lead to many possible solutions? Does it change the way you look at the classroom or your own work? Where could you use collaboration in your own life, such as with your colleagues or students? How could you foster collaboration and encourage students to work together? Does it provide a new perspective on the challenges you have faced?

Jul 24

Michelle O's Question Michelle O and/or Inquiring Youth Mentor (Jul 24 2023 6:13PM) : How can collaboration skills help you in society? more

Inquiring Youth Mentor with Michelle O's edits:

In this passage you write ‘many voices lead to plenty of possible solutions’, which seems to suggest that collaboration skills can generate more ideas and solutions. How might other benefits of collaboration be revealed in this passage? Also, what advantages come from having a collective of voices come together to solve problems?

Further, it is evident that collaboration skills can help individuals in society, but how can it also help society as a whole? Could collaboration skills help tackle larger, more complex societal issues that require different perspectives? Is there a way to leverage collaboration to create progress in society both locally and globally? Lastly, are there any other lessons to be taken away from this passage, such as the importance of making sure everyone’s voice is heard, which could potentially lead to more innovative outcomes?

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Jul 24

caitlin l caitlin l (Jul 24 2023 6:16PM) : I really love the idea of strong institutions and how this can be meaningful for young students. I wonder what ideas they may come up with if they could create their own institutions with the goal of creating peace.

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Jul 24

Niki F Niki F (Jul 24 2023 3:44PM) : Global peace more

Are you going to look for examples in the news?

Jul 24

caitlin l caitlin l (Jul 24 2023 6:21PM) : There is a great news social media page, called good news movement. They may have some great stuff on there regarding peace.

Jul 24

caitlin l caitlin l (Jul 24 2023 6:17PM) : From the classroom to the world...the whole goal of education!

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Jul 24

Michelle O Michelle O (Jul 24 2023 6:15PM) : Maybe you can decide on a public product like a poster, mural, or newsletter, where the students are able to show what peace means to them and what it looks like so that other students and members of the community can learn from them or spread the word.

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Jul 24

Thairi P's Question Thairi P and/or Summarizer Tool (Jul 24 2023 6:12PM) : What are the main points of this letter? more

Summarizer Tool with Thairi P's edits:

This letter proposes an approach to foster peace in the classroom that combines problem-based learning, real world applications, multimedia resources, and encourages collaboration in order to come up with solutions. Students would work together to set expectations that create a respectful and peaceful learning environment. Through activities such as building models and reading and watching multimedia resources, they learn about peace on a personal and global level. Additionally, they will be exposed to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and understand the importance of collaboration and consideration of many possible solutions. Now reread the text with this summary in mind. Is there anything you would add to this summary? Please let me know what you are thinking about the text in your reply.

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