Cool Schools in Room 5
Cool Schools is a health programme identifying social problems that could arise in the school between pupils, such as bullying, game rules disputes and arguments. It encourages the setting up of a mediation system by a group of diligent students to solve and remedy these conflict situations.
Classroom teaching was done over a period of time following a set format. Let’s see how we progressed in Room 5.

The first lesson was related to conflict, the opening question posed by the teacher was, “What is conflict?”
One eager girl was able to respond to this question with numerous, relevant ideas -
 “Bashing up someone.”
 “Swearing at them.”
 “Pushing people away.”
 “Kicking them.”
This particular little girl was involved in the occasional dispute herself and in some cases employed the above suggestions to solve conflict. We know that this programme will support all students to be encouraged to use more constructive strategies.

Our Writers Journal was full of ideas on conflict, with an example being displayed by this proud owner. The bubble map indicates various definitions of conflict and how this can deteriorate into different states of negativity.

The class had been encouraged to recognize the destructive forms of conflict.  With continuous reminders of constructive dialogue, displaying mediation skills and solving differences of opinion, this did not marry in with the book the teacher was reading to the children.
The book was ‘The BFG’ by Roald Dahl. The section being shared with the children, after discussing the negative aspects of violence, happened to involve an altercation between all the giants, witnessed by Sophie, our little heroine in the book. Our local community would be thankful that this would never occur in our school playground.
The dialogue goes as follow….
‘The two giants rushed at the Fleshlumpeater and began pounding him with their fists and feet. He woke up and roared into battle, and in the bellowing thumping rough and tumble that followed, one sleeping giant after another got stepped upon and kicked. Soon, all nine of them were on their feet having the most almighty free-for-all. They punched and kicked and scratched and bit and butted each other as hard as they could. Blood flowed. Noses went crunch. Teeth fell out like hailstones. The giants roared and screamed and cursed, and for many minutes the noise of battle rolled across the yellow plains.’
Whatever are the teachers reading to the children these days?
Oh, by the way children, can you spot a simile in Roald Dahl’s writing?

Blake was asked whether he would like to publish his story on conflict. It is full of meaningful observations and wise suggestions.

Conflict is when friends have a disagreement with each other. Someone might get quite badly hurt. Someone might start crying. People can offend each other by swearing and stuff like that.  There are two ways that people fight, physically and with words. But both ways hurt feelings. Some people fight with weapons.  

“Don’t forget to underline your headings in red pen,” I was repeatedly requesting.
But still children kept forgetting. One male student underlined in a green pen. He also used a green pen to do some writing. In his Writers Journal when planning ideas on the results of conflict it was a rolling field of green; green writing, green lines and green borders.
“Pete,” I asked, “You use green a lot. What country do you come from?”
“Ireland,” he replied unnecessarily.