Benjamin+Gloria

**__ By : Gloria Benjamin __** My name is Gloria Benjamin. I am a pre-kindergarten teacher working in an International school in Nigeria. I am a Nigerian married to an Indian man named Jesse and together we are blessed with the most adorable looking boy and girl you will ever see. I am proud of all the achievements and blessings that have come my way and that includes being a Teacher. Teaching comes to me naturally and I am passionate about the profession. I presently have a Bachelors in Economics and Education from a Nigerian University and pursuing a Masters’ Degree in Multi-Disciplinary Studies from State University of New York (SUNY). I have interest in arts and crafts, cooking, organizing space, reading for information and shopping, traveling within and outside of Nigeria, and I love dancing.
 * __ EDU 640: Journal Entry for Conflict Resolution and a Peaceable School. __**



Assignment # 1 Prior to starting this course, I did not know there was a course on conflict resolution and peaceable school, therefore I believe I stand to gain much needed information and knowledge on how to foster peace and a tranquil society that will be sustained by harmonious co-existence for the present and future generation. I think a course on conflict resolution and peaceable schools is a course on how we can solve conflicts to create a peaceable environment that's conducive for teaching and learning. A lot of conflict go undetected because they start small from simple arguments, disagreements, lack of mutual understanding between individuals or group of person and differences in opinion to reach a consensus before they finally escalate into rage. I love movies and I have watched quite a few to give me an idea of how conflict between two oppositions escalate into fights, war and riots. It is therefore the job negotiator to plan for reconciliation between the warring parties through dialogue on peace agreements. Some of the topics I would like the course to cover are; * Types of Conflicts * Conflict Analysis * Criteria for Intervention * Managing and Resolving conflicts * Negotiation and Mediation

Assignment # 2 My reflection on the introduction page and first chapter of the book STEPP explains the plight and challenges young people go through while parents and educators ignore the warning signs pointing to stress. Young adults are faced with stressful times as a result of changes they undergo from physical and psychological development, thus making the teenage years quite worrisome for educators and parents as they are ty to find ways to help them. I was a teenager and I passed through the stressful time of struggle to establish personal identities and having to make decisions that would have had profound effects on my life. The present demand on what an ideal student or child should be in the 21st century places the teenager on a tight end with challenging curricular and extracurricular opportunities that doesn’t carter for the emotional aspect of their life is really sad because I can personally relate to it growing up to please my parents by doing well academically with little or no emotional relations with my parents or teachers. As adults, parents and teachers, it is important to model to youngsters on how to manage stress as studies have identified us in the examples of the adolescent stressors. By modeling to youngsters on how to curb with stress inherent of some of the management strategies they have developed we foster trust, healthier relations, better communication and a whole lot of good from them. With Group Focus Sessions, schools can be for the better if not the best in fostering a peaceable environment when students are listened to and heard, when they are heard and not judged by people they look up to and find solace, when they are given equal opportunities to contribute to a group, when the right help and counsel they need during sessions; how then can we not hope for a happier and healthier life with long term effects as they are the future. Assignment # 2 After watching the movie that you requested be approved by Hank or after Watching American History X have a discussion with those others who watched the movie on the role of nature and nurture in the film and the role of school, teachers and mentors in the film. Then, write a brief - 2- page (500 word+ or -) report describing the influences you observed and discussed. Post this entry on your individual wiki page. This is Journal entry number 2.. Well I finally got around to watch the movie and it was very touching and emotional. I never watch movies for information but for fun and following the details in every conversation was quite challenging because of the heavy swearing which I was warned is encapsulated in the movie. The movie has meaning to different folks and as humans we never run out of opinions about everything. Some of the things that happened in the movie are happening in a lot of communities. Everyone want equal rights, supremacy, power, fame and all the social vices that pollutes the weak. ‘Hate is baggage and life is too short to be angry about everything’ is my favorite phrase in the movie. Hate is a setback and a catalyst of destruction. We can see it around us, the wars, and the killings are connected to hate. On the role of nature and nurture, Derek was kind hearted and wasn’t always a bad person. He had protective instinct and was an intelligent student in school to be inspired by Dr. Sweeny’s qualifications and intellect. It may be argued that Derek is a violent person by nature but that did not take effect at a young age as his violent behavior was attributed to the death of his father. His father initially begins to nurture him with hate talks for the blacks and from the scene at the dinner table when he spoke highly about Dr. Sweeny and defending the literature he wanted the class to read.  Derek at this age seems vulnerable and he is influenced by his father. His whole attitude towards black people changes because he has accepted what his father said as true and is now expressing the emotions that comes with feelings of hate. From this point on, we see Derek’s hate for black people grow not on its own, but with more nurturing counsel of Cameron who jumped on Derek’s hopelessness and profound hatred for black race as an excuse to unleash terror on the once peaceful community. Danny on the other hand was loving, kind, gentle in nature and was reserved, on like his elder brother who was very vocal and expressive .Danny experienced a turning point when his brother was jailed for killing two black youth who were trying to rob his car in the opening scene of the movie. He assumes a partial role of the brother he looks up to and admires by joining the white movement group. He was nurtured by his brothers mentor Cameron who also filled him with hate for the blacks. One thing I observed in young Danny’s nature is his calmness and reserved demeanor with all the indoctrination from Cameron which did not change him much or was probably waiting for the right time to manifest itself. It looked to me also that he joined the group for protection and affiliation rather than real hate for the black. I cannot say for sure if he would have turned out to be as violent as his brother because he renounced his ties to the group much quicker and easily. V  **__The role of school, teacher and mentors__** The role of the school was to give Danny a sense of awareness, redemption; from his hated ideals before it was too late and moral education; unlearn the misconception about his belief (we hear the conversation at the office about Danny’s essay being a racist propaganda, which can be unlearned). The school was a platform on which Danny knew he could express himself through writing in an initial essay he knew he would be heard. The seemed to me also like they were aware of the situation in the life of the little boy and showed willingness to support because they had a meeting to decide what they could help him. The teachers knew he had potentials and were not willing to see him fail. They believed he was intelligent enough to excel by not going in the same path his brother headed. The school provided the young Danny the platform to learn from his brother’s mistake under the mentorship of Sweeney appointing himself Danny's history teacher. Danny learns by analyzing and interpreting all the events that led to his elder brother, Derek’s incarceration through an assay on how these events helped shape his present perspective on life in contemporary America, the impact on his own life," and so on. I feel schools should be responsive in identifying the needs of students and not being ignorant about certain things that could ignite fear, anger and issues of esteem. There is need for mentors and not just counsellors in the school who can teach values, self-worth, respect and all that society demands from a model and patriotic citizen. We cannot entirely get a 100% of what we want each individual to be like but we can teach children to discern what is good and profitable to all.
 * __The role of nature and nurture in the film __**

**Assignment #3 ** As the name implies, a peaceable school or community is a place that is inclined to avoid conflict or dissent. This goes on to say that a peaceable school or community should be a place were: **What elements of communication would be included? ** Using good communication skills is not a matter of simply being "nice." Rather, communicating well facilitates information-sharing, perspective-taking, and genuine understanding. When communication flows well, conflict is more likely to be resolved in a collaborative fashion, rather than escalating to destructive levels. Key elements of effective communication involves: Addressing only one issue at a time and avoid introducing other topics. Clearly specifying what the issues are concerned about Effectively listening to make sure, restating that person’s thoughts and feelings are put into consideration. The use of verbal and nonverbal communication by making appropriate eye contact, not using threatening physical actions, and verbally expressing how the situation makes you feel in a respectful manner, instead of attacking or accusing the other party. In trying to solve conflict, the following should be **__tolerated;__** The following should be **__not be tolerated__** when solving conflict in a school or community; **What would the rules be? ** The rules would therefore be the adoption of all the point enlisted as what is tolerable. This include: **<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">What would the expectations be? ** <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">The expectations from solving conflict in a school or community would fosters peace because people will begin to respect each other. It also reduces anxiety, whether within the community or the school. Conflict resolved fosters friendship which allows the development of relationships. It also gives presents an opportunity to learn cooperatively to find solution to a conflict. When conflict is solved in a respectful manner the community or students tend to become more responsible and reasonable when weighing the consequences. <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">The responsibility of the student and teacher should be that of a peace ambassadors armed with the responsibility of being role models in the society by solving problems within the community. The responsibility of the of the school is to provide programs that would train teachers on how to create a peaceable school who in turn will sensitize and mentor the students to be non-violent citizens which is beneficial to the community. The students also have the responsibility of reporting a conflict where peer mediation and strategies used to handle conflict is ineffective to a matured and experienced person before the matter escalates or becomes too great to handle. <span style="font-family: 'Times',serif; font-size: 18.66px;">D. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Post Journal Entry #3 <span style="font-family: 'Times',serif; font-size: 18.66px;"> on your web page. (250 - 500 words) If Hank came to my classroom I would be shocked if it was a surprise visit, but if he indeed came well there would be a lot he would observing.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Students and teachers enjoy friendship and cooperation.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;"> Everyone is free from fear of oppression of any kind. This includes freedom of fear from both physical and psychological harm because there are rules that protect and govern the rights of teachers and students.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;"> Learning is joyful for children and they feel comfortable expressing their opinions and ideas without fear of being ridiculed. Everyone one is given equal opportunity to voice out.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Children like to learn and teachers like to teach because Peace is integrated into the curriculum which reflects learning tolerance, responsibility and respect.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">The climate is friendly and cooperative because all its members work hard to create an environment of equal treatment and respect for the advancement of learning.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Everyone feels empathy towards others and everyone feels safe, valued and respected.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Every student feels appreciated in the school and is allowed time to practice peaceful conflict resolution by learning about taking responsibility, and taking an active role in the community.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">What would be tolerated and what would not be tolerated? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Respect for each other.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Speaking and listening to each other in turns without interrupting in a respectful and peaceful manner.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Honesty is well tolerated.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Unfair accusations.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Inappropriate or abusive words.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">The use of any form of physical actions to threaten or attack each other.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">The use of any form of social media platform inappropriately to damage each other’s reputation.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Respect each other.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Inappropriate use of words is prohibited
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Listen attentively and respectfully.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Take turns to talk by keeping it short and simple.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Use “I statements;” “I feel …, because… I would like…”
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Apology is offered at the end of the discussion.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">What would the responsibilities be? **
 * Describe how if Hank (your professor) came to your classroom or community he would observe the elements of a peaceable community.
 * What evidence would he see?
 * How will you promote peace in your community
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">The flags on the classroom colored by the children to represent were they are from displayed on class wall as well as individual work to create an atmosphere of inclusion. The students feel they are a part of the classroom and feel welcomed.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Mr. Hank would also observe friendship and love between the teachers and students. The students enjoy learning and the teacher loves teaching.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">The students would be free to express their opinions without fear of being ridiculed because the classroom is governed by rules that’s strategically placed on the wall for all to see.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Mr. Hank would also observe the respectful nature of the students and teacher as they reciprocate respect to each other and other members of the school.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">He would observe cooperative learning happening among the students because of the effective strategies the teacher has put in place so that no child is left behind.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">He would observe there is no use of offensive or abusive words. The students talk about their differences amicably (speaking in turns) and are apologetic when they are at fault.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">He would observe a classroom where everyone is treated genuinely fair and every voice is just as important as the other, as the teacher listens attentively to everyone.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">He will observe the use of ‘’I message ‘’ in the classroom when communication is happening because the teacher is promoting problem solving skills that will be useful in solving conflicts.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">He would observe the best sign of all “Bullying Stops Here” [|__No Bullies Posters__] <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;"> to remind the children they are safe and protected in the classroom. The teacher will also teach them how protect themselves with the right attitude.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">I will promote peace in my community by creating a peace club: Children and adults alike will be taught on how to develop and live peacefully in the community through film shows, games and role play. Members of the community would be sensitized on the different strategies used in conflict resolution. I can promote peace by placing approved peace bills on designated areas to remind people on the importance of harmonious living. I can also promote peace by being an example of what I preach and say I represent. everyone needs a role model.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">How would you promote peace in your community? **

**<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Assignment # 4 ** Q1-F=4, T-1. ANSWER (T) Q2-T=5 ANSWER (F) Q3-F=2, T=3 ANSWER (F) Q4-T-5 ANSWER (F) Q5-T=5 ANSWER (T) The violence misconception quiz result actually got everyone wondering how possible it was that the rate of violence is on the decrease in the United States. Well, the statistics shows clearly that there has been a decline in the rate of violence which is attributed the following reasons: ** Did you over or underestimate violence in the United States? ** I overestimated the rise in homicidal violence to be on the increase in America because I see the rise in gun violence in mass shootings that have left a lot of people dead because of laws that permit citizens to own guns than anywhere in the world, so it surprises me and my colleagues who took the test. Mass shootings are a growing at alarming phenomenon in the US. By a purely numerical count, the United States has seen [|more than 1,000 mass shootings] in 1,260 days. By a stricter definition, the number is smaller but still sobering: [|19 public mass shootings] since the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre in December 2012. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">[|__America's gun problem is so much bigger than mass shootings__]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times',serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Do an individual reflection on what you thought, what you learned and be sure to comment on the following specific points. (250 + or -) **
 * || Q1 || Q2 || Q3 || Q4 || Q5 ||
 * Gloria || F || T || F || T || T ||
 * Jesse || F || T || T || T || T ||
 * Yerusha || F || T || F || T || T ||
 * Israel || F || T || T || T || T ||
 * Rose || T || T || T || T || T ||
 * 1. Why do you think the rate of homicide violence has gone down in the last 800 years. **
 * 1) More police officers on the beat: Additional manpower helps police departments respond to and prevent violence.
 * 2) Police using computers: They also started using computers to collect data on crime and to direct their officers' efforts more efficiently. When they have accurate, current information on where crime is happening, they can identify the neighborhoods where they are needed most.
 * 3) Less booze: A gradual decline in the amount of alcohol that Americans drink is another explanation for the decline in violence. This decline can account for 5 percent to 10 percent of the overall decline in crime
 * 4) Less lead; besides alcohol, lead is another substance that has been shown to make humans more aggressive. Lead is toxic, and it can affect the behavior of children who are exposed to the metal while their brains are still developing
 * 5) A better economy; In better economic circumstances, communities and families might have more resources to dedicate to protecting themselves from crime — for example, by installing alarms in their homes. People also have more opportunities to earn money legally, removing one reason that some break the law.

** What did your 4 subject colleagues think about violence in general? ** There thought on violence in other words is an evil act that ruins life, cowardly behavior, and if not properly checked and controlled can impedes a nation. living in a part of the world were violence is prevalent due to corruption, abuse of office by public office holders, miss management of public funds ,high rate of unemployment etc. Youths see violence as a last resort to be heard, get what they want or any reason they feel it should be used. I think the lesson on violence with the attached link on the article is interesting and informative. Violence had been in existence and it has forged the economies on which not just United States but countries around the globe. Since the nineteenth century, it was assumed that urbanization and industrialization was the cause of crime and poverty, still I wonder why there is still homicidal killings now that a lot of countries have gone past the era of urbanization and industrialization. I think it’s just because some people are naturally violent and some are full of hate. If studies show there is a correlation between rise of urban/ industrial society and increase in deviance, crime and violence then my thought is for developing countries to start putting their acts right for the development of the countries by beefing up securities to combat crime, invest in education and put in place policies that would reduce violence and deviant behavior.
 * Why? **
 * What did you think about this lesson? **

**//__<span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Write a brief comment about what you think about using torture or other "enhanced" interrogation techniques. (Less than 250 words) __//**

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Waterboarding induces panic and suffering by forcing a person to inhale water into the sinuses, pharynx, larynx, and trachea. This was the meaning I got before I could watch the video on line and believe me this is torture. There was a meaning of torture is got when I was trying to convince myself it wasn’t torture. The term "torture" means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity [|//UN Convention Against Torture//] I think this is an unfair treatment that should not be meted to anyone. Looking at it from an angle of deception. A victim going through an interrogation may falsely admit to a crime he did not commit because he doesn’t want to die. The fact that this form of torture goes against the UN convention against torture should not be used by any civilized country in trying to extract information from a person. It may also be argued that supposing a person was a threat to national security and there is need to get the needed information shouldn’t this form of interrogation be used? I would definitely want this form of interrogation used if there was a ticking bomb. It has measured some success in the past in interrogating an al Qaeda suspect. I also think it should be used by top security agencies and not even the police force. There are worst interrogation techniques out there I am very sure of that and lets not be naïve, whoever is being water boarded is a suspect until proven not guilty. But it is still an inhuman treatment that should only be used in special circumstances. I stand for peace and I believe in negotiations.

**<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Then, write a brief (250 word+ or -) report describing what you observed or experienced from session #4. ** <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">My observation is that violence is a part of life. It will continue to be there and it will take different forms whether it is called act of terrorism, mass shooting, genocide etc. I am not being pessimistic but we are seeing it happen around us. Laws need to be made stricter on arms and gun possessions and the penalties on acts of violence be taken more seriously.Evidence is growing that gun violence in America is a product of weak gun laws. With awful, numbing regularity Americans use high-powered, high-capacity firearms to carry out mass shootings. And with awful regularity, efforts to reform America’s gun laws in the wake of such tragedies fail. It is sad to see the how many people are killed by gun violence(Indeed, a recent paper published by the Harvard Business School found that a mass shooting leads to a 75% rise in measures //<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">easing // gun control in states with Republican-controlled legislatures.) More than 30,000 people die in shootings in America each year; no other rich country suffers anywhere near that level of gun violence. Pro-gun groups point out that rates of gun ownership tend to be highest in rural, sparsely populated states, where crime rates are low. By the same token, over the past two decades, as the number of guns in America has risen sharply, crime rates have fallen. Yet even as the number of guns in America has grown, the share of households with a gun has dropped steadily. Research published in 2000 by Mark Duggan of the University of Chicago concluded that the homicide rate had been falling in tandem with the proportion of households where guns were kept. What’s more, the homicide rate was falling with a lag, suggesting that reduced gun ownership was causing the decline, and was not simply a side-effect of a falling crime rate. My conclusion goes with my opening thought in the first paragraph-laws be made stricter for the possession of fire arm and strict law for violent offenders. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Extra Credit? <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">The strategy in fighting an active shooter using canned food initially seemed bizarre and weird immediately anyone watches the video. It is important to note the objective behind the strategy is saving more lives and empowering the students with the canned food. It is also easy to criticize the strategy because it involves a few people putting their lives in the line for others. So what do I think?.... <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">As mass shooting increasingly become popular, we like to think this strategy will not work in our schools. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;"> However, I believe it is a practice that would catch an intruder off-guard if properly planned out and procedures are followed quickly. The canned food item could stun the intruder or even knock him out until the police arrive, <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;"> which buy students time to flee or charge. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;"> The canned food item will give students a sense of empowerment to protect themselves and feel secure in case an intruder enters their classroom instead of waiting like <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">sitting ducks hiding under desks <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">which reports in the past has shown that he majority of death in school shooting are from victims that remain in the rooms and try to protect themselves without barricading the doors. <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Would you want your child leading the charge against an armed attacker? I sure wouldn’t want my child in the front of a person who has no regard for life throwing soup cans which is dangerous. What if you had more than 3 active shooter all working in the same area and raining this acts of terror, would one can per child be sufficient? It’s not possible to toss one can and run for cover so I don’t really understand this strategy even though it can be a last resort measure to fight for one’s life. What are the chances children will not chicken out because let’s face it, it is easy in practice than reality when you have a situation with an active shooter in the premises. Younger children in my opinion are more likely to be frighten about the situation than act. This strategy may cause unnecessary anxiety and stress for students who are more easily traumatized. Take this scenario, "Most middle-school kids can't decide between chicken nuggets and pizza for lunch," says school security consultant and writer Ken Trump. "To think that we're gonna put that liability and responsibility in the hands of a seventh-grader is insane." Well I feel that way about this strategy. Where would the cans be kept? Well I thought so, in the back packs which are overloaded with text book and school supplies. I think children would become tired of carrying food can in their bags over time and it’s important for the schools to have other plans aside the text books and other class materials to be thrown at the intruder. My conclusion is this strategy is dangerous, it would cause post-traumatic stress as sited from some psychologist for sensitive children when the drills simulates a real attack. Therefore, Schools need to arm themselves with police officers whose jobs is to safe guide lives and more proactive measures that’s realistic. I can only pray like any parent out there that we don’t experience this shootings in our schools. Assignment # 5
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial Black',sans-serif; font-size: 21.33px;">Pros **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">‘’Schools can’t prepare for the unexpected, but they should certainly try’’. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Cons **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">What is the amygdala? The amygdala is the center of the brain that controls this response, and also controls empathy; when it feels threatened, it can respond not just irrationally, but destructively. It is also shown to play a key role in the processing of emotions which forms part of the limbic system (The **limbic system** is the portion of the brain that deals with three key functions: emotions, memories and **arousal** (or stimulation). This system is composed of several parts, which are found above the brainstem and within the cerebrum. The limbic system connects parts of the brain that deal with high and low functions.) So what is the Amygdala hijack? The “amygdala hijack” is a term coined in Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence, his first book on the subject. The amygdala is the emotional part of the brain, which regulates the fight or flight response. When threatened, it can respond irrationally. A rush of stress hormones floods the body before the prefrontal lobes (regulating executive function) can mediate this reaction. It also equates to “freaking out” or seriously **<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">overreacting ** to an event in your life. How do you know your Amygdala has been hijacked? You know that you’ve been hijacked when… •Emotions overwhelm your thinking and actions. •You are thinking and acting against your own will! •You are unable to accurately read others’ emotions •You can’t find the right words. . . (stumbling when you try to speak) •You are unable to focus your thinking or actions •Your “fight or flight” response kicks in. . . Heart races, blood pressure increases, sweating profusely, uneasy feeling in the “gut,” clenched jaw, twitching, tapping foot, cold extremities as the brain rushes blood to muscles needed for fighting or fleeing. . . I have experienced amygdala hijack countless of times and have had mine hijacked when I am with ‘’the husband’’ or trying to get the kids to eat or they break something. The sports channel and the market places are some of the places you see peoples Amygdala’s hijacked most of the time. Oh, not to forget our roads with reckless drivers. I have had an experiences on the roads, remember I live in Nigeria and there is a lot going on to correct civic indiscipline which the law enforcement officers work hard to enforce. We were driving out (husband and I) when we approached a major intersection and were stopped by the traffic warden who was controlling traffic in the hot scorching sun. He wore a small cap on his head and black shirt that attracted the heat from the afternoon sun. As we waited for him to beckon on us to give the ‘’go’’, Well, there was an impatient driver who was in a hurry to go and drove into coming traffic creating un warranted block that would have been avoided. As the warden walked up to his car to warn him, a tall skinny man came out of his car yelled and slapped the helpless traffic warden. Just as we were sadden by his behavior, a driver came out of his car seeing what the skinny man had done to the warden, wrestled the skinny man to the ground. People stood back and a few came up to intervene as the skinny man ran to his car in shame when he got the chance and drove off like lightening. His response to the warden obviously did not make any sense as he thought he had premeditated his action which he did not. This shows his logic was suppressed by the powerful tunnel vision survival reaction of the amygdala. No one can make you do something against your better judgment, but the amygdala always can. The skinny man did not think of the consequences of his action as we could see his response was quite aggressive and quick towards attacking the warden. He was shamed at the end and ran off in a hurry realizing he acted on impulse and had no control of the situation he easily would have avoided. Report on [|TED talk by Amy Cuddy] My experience after watching this video reminded me of a time I had to do an MC for my schools early year’s music night event. How scared and shrunken I was because I did not think I had what it took to be there. I remembered looking for someone to tell me I could do it. I had the support of my parents, husband and in-laws. I remembered standing on the stage at the end of the event feeling accomplished as my colleagues and parents of the school walked up to me to commend how good I was on stage. Amy noted that Presence comes from believing in and trusting yourself <span style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">—your real, honest feelings, values, and abilities which is important because people see you as you see yourself and would trust you if you trusted yourself. Therefore we expand our power by expanding our body to give presence so that we can rise to the moments. We can use our physiology (our bodies) to increase our power and presence. There seems to be what researchers refer to as a “bidirectional” relationship between //feeling// and //behavior://when you //feel// powerful, you expand your body, andwhen you //expand// your body, you //feel// powerful. Which is not only attributed to primate but cuts across different species. By expanding your body language (resting your arm in a v shape or assuming a confident posture) or carrying yourself in a more expansive way can actually make you //feel// more powerful. She also gave evidences to this claims by showing some experiments which had people make two poses-for ‘’high power’’ and ‘’low power’’. The experiment concluded that our nonverbal govern how we think and feel about ourselves and our bodies change our mind. "Taking control of your body language is not just about posing in a powerful way. It’s also about the fact that we pose in a powerless way much more often than we think—and we need to change that.” She admonished us to fake our body language to feel powerful and take ownership of the situation. By faking power we become powerful because our body can change our mind, our mind can change our behavior and our behavior changes our outcome as I my husband had reminded me of the book ‘’The secrete’’ which also said the same thing. We can fake it till we become it and internalize it. The segment ended with the quote; ‘’tiny tweaks can lead to big changes’’; configure your brain to feel powerful by reducing your cortisol and increasing your testosterone level which can be achieved only by changing our body language from low poses to a high power pose . Well my husband and I are going to start striking power poses everywhere we go because I mean we are powerful.
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Observation: __**<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">the skinny man’s surprising and aggressive response demonstrates the three signs of the “amygdala hijack”: strong emotional reaction, sudden onset, and regret for your actions when he realizes he had done something he should not have.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">What is conflict? The understanding one has of a conflict is strongly influenced by the way one thinks about the nature of conflict. Definitions of conflict move backwards and forwards between conflict being perceived as a negative or as a positive process. Some present conflict as a natural phenomenon, others as an alien or abnormal happening in social life, and yet others consider it as a necessary condition for the development and growth of individuals and societies. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">[PDF] [|__3. Understanding conflict__] <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Conflict resolution conceptualized as the methods and processes involved in facilitating the peaceful ending of conflict and retribution. Committed members attempt to resolve conflict by actively communicating information about their conflicting motives or ideologies to the rest of the group (e.g. intensions; reasons for holding certain beliefs) and by engaging in collective negotiation. The term conflict resolution may also be used interchangeably with dispute resolution, where arbitration and litigation processes are critically involved. There is popular story of a hijacked brain that made worldwide headline in sporting history and I think it is the worst hijack so far, boxing world if I may be precise between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield in a boxing match in 1997. Evander seems to be dishing out heavy punches on Tyson who soon felt he could not win the match and became emotionally aggressive towards Evander taking a bite out of his ears in the heat of the fight. Mike impulsive aggression was due to the fact if I must say that he felt threaten and frustrated and his amygdala which is responsible for fight or flight decided to snap provocatively. The fight was disqualified and this amygdala hijack caused him his career, millions of dollars and his boxing license. I will describe the conflict as a form of friction between the two boxers. The conflict started somewhere in the second round, when Evander head butts Tyson, opening a cut over his eyes. In the third round, Tyson <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">lost what composure he had left <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;"> because the emotional engagement of his amygdala was initially trying to hinder the conflict but spiraled into an impulsive rage by taking a chunk out Evander’s right ear after he subsequently bit his left ear. Talking about this makes me giggle a bit at the situation because pride was what made him stay and not live when he would have avoided the embarrassing end. <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Yes it does. The Amygdala hinders conflict resolution when either one of the parties <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">go on the attack with “you” statements, gross generalizations, temper outbursts and forceful body language. This kind of behavior may hinder the logical solution to the problem, or recommendations for peaceful interaction.it is therefore important for the parties to take time to calm down, bring the amygdala levels of fight and flight to equilibrium before trying to resolve the conflict.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Assignment # 6 A **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Conflict **<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;"> refers to some form of friction, disagreement, or discord arising within a group when the beliefs or actions of one or more members of the group are either resisted by or unacceptable to one or more members of another group. Conflict can arise between members of the same group, known as [|intragroup conflict], or it can occur between members of two or more groups, and involve violence, interpersonal discord, and psychological tension, known as **intergroup conflict**. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">[|__Conflict (process) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia__]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Question: Do the involvement of emotions and the Amygdala always hinders conflict resolution? **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Now please go to this link [|Cursing by State - What is your favorite swear word?]After you read the article there watch the video at this web site.[|Cursing Reduces Stress]Then search the internet and read at least one other article or web site about swearing and or cursing.Finally, post a reflection, observations and comments on your wiki page. <span style="color: #fc0e1d; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">This is Journal Entry #6 B Websites and articles I searched about swearing. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">[|__What Does the Bible Say About Cursing and Swearing?__] <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">[|__Why swearing is good for you - Men's Health__] <span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">Both the Bible and Science have opinions on swearing. While science makes us feel it is ok to swear because it reduces stress and same is good for health. The bible instructs us to stay away from vulgar language which can hurt someone’s feelings and take us to eternal condemnation in hell. Articles show that it is ok to swear in work places and swearing gives us the sense to feel powerful. <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;"> “Swearing triggers a well-known stress-induced analgesia,” says Professor Richard Stephens, senior lecturer in psychology at Keele University. “It’s part of the fight or flight response. Adrenaline is released, the heart pumps faster and we become more enabled to overcome an aggressor or make a swift getaway. Swearing helps many people better tolerate pain.” So you can either use profanity to sledgehammer through the wall during a marathon, or to just help you stay put in the ice bath after it. Well, science can may have a misleading opinion to encourage people to curse but I will stick to the morals behind the teaching of the bible that calls it offensive, hurtful to the other party and an irresponsible form of behavior.it may seem right to say or use swear words in situations we feel its justifiable, but the end is not always beneficial to health if you get punched in the eye or locked up in jail. What the science article failed to do was to tell the consequences of swearing in different fields like in a professional setting, a school, in some sports etc As a teacher I wonder what the school authority would think and feel if I experience an amygdala Hijack in the staff room because someone messed up the micro wave and did not clean it up then I start to rain curses. I will either get a long stir form my colleagues or a query letter from my boss. Swearing in public is morally not right. Just recently, the American Rapper 50cents was arrested in a concert in the Caribbean for swearing ( <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">[|__50 Cent arrested for using swear words on stage in the Caribbean__] <span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">) <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 18.66px;">. Laws govern how we speak. What is acceptable in my culture might not be acceptable in another culture. No matter what science thinks is right by making bad look good(by throwing all the bad words in the air), I believe in pleasant words which is like honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing for the bones(Proverbs 16:24). Therefore swearing can be replaced with words like, great! ,ohhh wonderful -like I do, very clever!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Assignment # 6 B **

**<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Behavior: **<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> When I need help with the children, I need you to be supportive ……………………
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 21.33px;">Assignment # 7 **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Negative/corrective “I” message from Gloria to Jesse **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Consequences **<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">: ………… I may not meet up with the august deadline to complete all the assignments.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Feeling **<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">: …..your lack of concern stress and burdens me…………
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">RESULT __**<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">: he snapped at me aggressively and replied, I wasn’t the only woman in the world who works, studies and runs a family so I needed to stop nagging. Wow, I melted away and kept to myself for the rest of the evening.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Positive or Rewarding “I” message from a Teacher to a Parent. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Behavior **<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">: I am thankful with the extra support you give by reinforcing what she has been taught in school at home.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Consequences **<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">: …………….through our collaboration I am beginning to notice………….
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Feeling: ………and **<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I am really happy with her improved work ethics.
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">RESULT: __**<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> The parents would be happy with the teacher for caring for their child and may promise the teacher to continue to cooperate with her in helping their daughter learn.
 * Positive or Rewarding “I” message between two friends**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Behavior; **<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I was wondering why you don’t return my calls………
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Consequences **<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">: it would be good to know what I did wrong as…….
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Feeling: **<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I am kind of depressed………...
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">RESULT __****<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">: **<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">his/her friend may be compelled to end the misunderstanding knowing how the other party feels about the situation.

**<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Gigi’s ‘’I’’ statements to help her change her behavior. ** <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Well knowing how emotional Gigi is and the recommendations Abby is trying to give the invaded could create a conflict between the two. Therefore the “I “statements to change her behavior should be something like; I know how you like to borrow my things now and then, so if you don’t mind, I’d like you to ask before you take things because I may need it the same time you do to. In my absence, I’d like you to wait till I return if you need to take anything out of my house. You go through my stuff and I don’t think that’s fair to me because I respect you and I won’t do that to you. Well, if Gigi ever **changes her behavior** after the assertive “I” statements her friend had effectively used to communicate how she felt about her behavior, it would be nice to use the next set of “I” statement by saying something like: I sincerely appreciate how much you have adjusted after the last time we spoke. I don’t feel like my privacy is evaded anymore and I am enjoying our friendship more than ever because you cared about my feeling. <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I don’t like how you come in here and take things without asking….. I always have to look for things around here………………….it drives me crazy and needs to stop. <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I know it wasn’t easy for you to stop coming over when I am out, but I’m glad you respected my privacy and honored our friendship…….I know I can indeed depend on you for anything.
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Conclusion: "I Messages" One corrective and one positive! __**
 * Corrective "I Message ** ”
 * Positive "I Message” **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The articles gives insight on ways we can create a bully free school and what it takes to establish and foster a no bullying community. Conflict is a part of life and would continue to be part of who are ‘’complicated ‘’. I have learned that bullying strategy is learned and repeated to meet our need for <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">power, insecurity, attention, or revenge. The effects of bulling therefore can be resolved using try and true method that have yielded positive results without creating a chain of abuse as emotional abuse have been known to leave permanent scare on the brain. It is easy to judge a bully when settling conflict and I like the approach in using compassionate communication facilitated through intentional conversation in resolving conflicts. The steps I have learned to effectively state a request in conflict resolution is really easy to use and productive. I have decided to begin using the four steps of stating a request adopted by Odyssey Community School in conflict resolution in the next school year when conflict arises. I hope to type it out and stick it on my desk, keep using it till it becomes a part of how I resolve conflict. The steps really seem easy to follow e.g. make an observation without judgment, identify your feelings, explain your needs, and state your request (MIES). I have also learned how bully prevention programs are effective in educating students the subject on bullying through role play, discussions, videos etc. I teach in a setting that has an anti-bullying policy and shuns all form of bullying but doesn’t do much in educating the school community well enough on the problems it could have on their relationships with others. We have moral instruction classes to teach the topic and only talk about it once in the entire session in the assemblies for less than 30 minutes. Knowing the resource website I can use to create a more interactive and interesting anti bullying program by in cooperating it in daily classroom instruction makes life easy. Although I will need the support of my colleagues and school administration in making this a success. Everyone deserves a chance and that’s why I like the idea of <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Seek restoration, not retribution fundamentals which empowers the students in resolving conflict. I teach preschool and I need to be proactive before suggesting an activity to the offender in that age level. The article on what neuroscience reveals about bullying by educators i.e teachers and coaches is kind of true. Like the fact that is wasn’t generalized that all teachers and coaches bully kids. Most importantly I think parents need to be educated as they seem to influence the behavior in which teachers and coaches treat their kids. Like I initially said, I work in school that has a zero tolerance for bullying and I’ve also had parents come in to tell me I am too soft on their children, or I treat them too nice and that’s why they don’t get to their work done, but come on!, this are 3 and 4 year olds. I remembered telling one of the parents ‘this is not college and she is not graduating tomorrow jokingly and told her she is just a child and shouldn’t feel threaten at school. There is a tendency that kids would report to their parents and parents would feel their child would become bullied for that in the class. I have learned therefore to keep doing what I have done with the children in my years of teaching by helping them speak up when they feel hurt, come to the classroom and know they are safe and enjoy the lessons because I have identified every child as unique and should be treated with respect. I think I need to get a bolder no bully sign for my classroom so that parent don’t interfere with my no bullying style of teaching.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 21.33px;">Assignment # 8 **<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 21.33px;">B


 * Assignment #9 **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 21.33px;">Personality profile test **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I am a creative problem solver and that did not surprise me much given the options in the test that suits my character. I remember the first time I was invited to wiki space to join the class and how confused I was following the direction on how to create thee space and etc. I gave up several times in an hour but tried to get the page up and running. I am always bubbling with ideas for school programs and set up and I never involve anyone until I’m satisfied with how it’s going to turn out before I involve the team.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Although my personality is just 2 points away from being a practical manager, I sometimes take on the personality as well and having the scores close to each other is as expected. I find the personality profile test is very useful in grouping students for cooperating learning, as the teacher gives the test at the beginning of the year for group learning. Putting different personality together can sometimes be catastrophic if everyone thinks he/she has a better opinion or better idea about a thing. Conflict arises sometimes from clash of personalities. Like I would rather work with a colleague who is as passionate about a project at hand as I am than have a colleague who would be seated and telling me what to do.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I like to work alone and my personality allows me express my creativity in certain ways. I taste a food in a restaurant and I would like to replicate it by quickly trying to cook before I look for the recipe online or in the cook book. The same applies to instructional manual for any DIY toy or machine in the house, I leap and only look when I am stuck. I assume managerial persona when I have to be more serious in carrying out a more detailed project. I stick to the guidelines and make sure I meet up with deadlines because I don’t like to be panicky. I think the environment I work and grew gave me the liberty to function independently, collaboratively and creatively.

**Assignment #10** I chose to create well, not a weebly but a web page using word press and I titled it "early years peace makers". Follow the link to the site.