The Conflict Escalator
This video was created for In School Suspension students to learn to recognize what escalates conflict, and select behaviors they will use that will de-escalate conflict, and keep themselves out of trouble next time.
I involved the students more in this second movie. The students helped create the storyboard, write and edit and re-edit the script, select camera angles, choose locations, film scenes, and record voice overs. They came after school to volunteer their time. They loved the process, learned a lot, and can't wait to make another movie. They range from straight "A" students who never get in trouble, to students who get in a little trouble, to some of my most frequent flyers in In School Suspension (who have not returned since movie making began...)
I have been using this in the In School Suspension room for about a month. (It wasn't finished, but I couldn't wait!)
It is one of the most successful tools I've used to prepare a student for the conversation we have about how their actions affected others and what choices they can make next time. I separate the video into three parts: the 1st part they learn about the conflict escalator, the 2nd part we stop and discuss the events in the movie that escalate conflict, and the 3rd part the students have a worksheet - so we STOP and WRITE and DISCUSS the events that escalate and de-escalate conflict. In the end, the students must choose TWO actions they can take to get off the escalator - with peers and adults.
It is 6 minutes long (just so you know up front)
