The Peace Rose

In KD we read a story called The Peace Rose. This story introduced an approach where students independently resolve conflict in the classroom. Students utilize a single stem rose to work through disagreements, misunderstandings, and hurt feelings. A child whose feelings have been hurt brings the peace rose to their classmate, the one who may have caused the hurt feelings, and communicates the problem. Then, after hearing the hurt child's words, the rose is accepted and that child may explain, apologize or demonstrate empathy by recognizing the hurt child's words. The two children then take turns talking, listening, and passing the rose to resolve the issue often coming up with a plan for the future that will avoid the issue again. At the end the two children declare peace and renew their friendship by walking the rose back to its holding place together. The 'happy daisy' in our room will be used as a tool for students to resolve their conflicts with others in a healthy way. The 'happy daisy' allows students to practice good listening, demonstrate empathy, articulate their feelings with words and also take responsibility for their actions.