Peer Mediator Training Manual

2010-2011

Congratulations on being chosen to be a peer mediator. This is a big responsibility.

Below is what is expected from a peer mediator.

  • Be on time to mediation.
  • If you are not able to attend mediation ask another mediator to go in your place, and inform Mrs. Savinon as early as possible.
  • Do not take sides when mediating student problems.
  • Do not ever mediate friends. Inform Mrs. Savinon if you are assigned to mediate a friend’s problems.
  • Listen patiently.
  • Do not discuss anything from mediation with other students. Mediation is confidential.
  • Do not interrupt students when they are speaking, and do not allow students to be interrupted. If a student interrupts ask them to wait for the turn.
  • Mediation is done while sitting. It is best for everyone to stay seated during the entire process.
  • Students should not threaten or yell, and mediators should not either.

How to Conduct a Mediation Session

  1. Get the students that need mediation.
  2. Introduce yourself by saying your first names. Be sure that every mediator and student.
  3. Walk the students to the table. Seat the students with a mediator in between. The students should be sitting across from each other and be able to see each other.
  4. Explain the mediation process and rules for the mediation process. These are on the attached rule sheet. Have each student sign the rules and mediation process sheet.
  5. One mediator acts as a note taker. The note taker will write down the important points of what each speaker says and write the mediation agreement.
  6. Select the student with the name that occurs in the alphabet first to speak. Example: john, Ben and Alex come to mediation; they will speak in this order Alex, Ben and John. ABC order.
  7. Allow each student to finish telling their story before letting the next one speak. Each student gets 3 minutes to speak.
  8. After each student has spoken review the important points of each speaker. This will clear up any confusion and allow make sure that everyone understands the problem.
  9. The mediators state the type of problem. The problem types are listed in the next pages. Then explain the meaning of this type of problem. Allow the students to give feedback at this time if they want to. This must take no more than 2 minutes.
  10. The mediators look at the Solutions Tree Map for their problem type. Select the two solutions that the mediators think would help with the students.
  11. Discuss the two possible solutions with the students.
  12. Have the students brainstorm how to make this solution work for them.
  13. The note taker will write out the solution on the mediation agreement.
  14. The students will read the Mediation Agreement, and if they agree to it they will sign it.
  15. The mediators will also sign it.
  16. The mediators will keep the agreement and turn it in to Mrs. Savinon. Mrs. Savinon will copy the agreement for the students and their teachers.
  17. Have the students clean up their mess from lunch and take their trays to the cafeteria. Do not allow them to throw food away in the mediation room.
  18. The mediators need to clean up their lunch trays and take them to the cafeteria to throw away as their lunch is ending.

Mediation Rules and Process

Rules:

  • Mediation is a voluntary process. Students choose to participate and reach an agreement.
  • Mediation is confidential. This mediation case will never be discussed.
  • Students must respect the lunch time limit. Mediation will take place during lunch and will never run through recess or class.
  • Only one person speaks at a time. The first time a student interrupts they will receive a warning. The second time a student interrupts the mediation process will be rescheduled for a new time in order to allow this student time to calm down and prepare.
  • Students agree to be honest at all times during the mediation process.
  • The mediation process happens while sitting. Students cannot stand, yell, use inappropriate language, or hit. If this happens the student will be removed from mediation and sent to the office.
  • Mediators do not take sides. They listen and help students to find a solution. They also do not find a solution without help from the students.
  • Students do not have to sign the mediation agreement unless they agree to the terms; however, if the agreement is signed the terms must be followed. Students who chose not to follow the agreement face consequences with their classroom teacher and the principal.
  • When mediation is complete: Students will clean up their lunch and return to the cafeteria quickly and quietly.

Process:

  • Everyone sits down.
  • The rules and process are explained. This sheet is signed.
  • Each student has 3 minutes to tell his/her side of the story.
  • The mediators will define the problem.
  • The students will work with the mediators to create a solution (agreement).
  • The agreement will be written down and each student and mediator will sign it.

Signatures:

______
mediatorstudent

______
mediatorstudent

______
mediatorstudent
______
mediatorstudent

Mediation Agreement Form

Students and teacher’s names

______
student 1his/her teacher’s name
______
student 2his/her teacher’s name
______
student 3his/her teacher’s name
______
student 4his/her teacher’s name

Mediators’ names:

______
mediator
______
mediator
______
mediator

type of problem: ______

solution:______

Date:______

signed:

______
mediatorstudent 1
______
mediatorstudent 2
______
mediatorstudent 3
______mediator student 4

Mediation Note Taking Form

Students and teacher’s names

______
student 1his/her teacher’s name
______
student 2his/her teacher’s name
______
student 3his/her teacher’s name
______
student 4his/her teacher’s name

Mediators’ names:

______
mediator
______
mediator
______
mediator
______
mediator

type of problem: ______

student 1 description of the problem: ______
student 2 description of the problem: ______
student 3 description of the problem: ______
student 4 description of the problem: ______
suggested solutions: ______
solution that was agreed upon: ______
were there any problems during mediation:______
Date: ______
note taker’s name: ______

Problems Types

Rumors or gossip: when one person or a group of people talk about another person in a way that is hurtful or meant to cause pain.
Fighting and violence: hitting, spitting, biting, pulling, kicking, grabbing, choking or the use of one person’s body or objects to disturb or cause pain to another person.
Cheating and stealing: the taking of one person’s itemsor materials (such as homework, answers or belongings).
Friendship difficulties:friends who are fighting, mad, calling each other names, or have times where they get along and then times when they don’t. Sometimes they leave one friend out, and at other times they leave another one out at other times.
Classroom disputes: students in the same classroom who have disagreements that happen while in class or recess. They can also have disagreements at ESD or daycare.
Name calling or being unkind: Students who call someone else names or make fun of them. This also includes being mean to another student.