He Started it! - TeachersFirst

What's it All About?

Class Meetings & Peer Mediation Explained

Introduction

Mediation Overview

Mediation Steps

What to Tell Parents

Mediation for Teachers

Web Links

Peer Mediation

Peer Mediation is a formal process used for resolving conflicts between two or more parties. Students must learn the specific skills and procedures of peer mediation before mediation can begin. In peer mediation, a team of two students works to help the students in conflict resolve their issue. The students usually follow a formal outline of steps. The Peer Mediation program advisor or possibly a school counselor observes each mediation.

During the process the mediators use listening skills and paraphrasing skills to hear both sides of the issue, trying to find the root cause or causes. Afterward the pair helps the parties find a solution that works for both, and encourage the parties to seal the deal through a handshake or written agreement. The mediators then schedule follow up times to check to see the agreement is holding.

Peer mediation can work in elementary, middle school, and high school settings, but it is difficult for primary age students to serve as mediators. Read on for a deeper explanation of the steps in the peer mediation process.

Class Meetings

Class meetings are another form of effective classroom management. Class meetings are a way to work out issues between students in a whole class setting. Class meetings may become student led, after the teacher becomes comfortable transferring control to student leaders. There is a time set aside each week for students to work as a class to resolve issues. Items are read out of a class agenda. Conflicting parties give their sides and then work alone or with the class to resolve an issue. Occasionally, the teacher will resolve the issue.

Class meetings work well with elementary and middle school students, but they can also be with high school classes in certain circumstances. Want to know more details on class meetings? Read on.

Aaron Sterling has helped develop peer mediation and conflict resolution programs in California and Virginia.
He currently teaches elementary students in northern Virginia.