Sports rivalries can energize school spirit. But keeping events respectful takes a dynamic blend of foresight, leadership and buy-in from the community. Sports rivalries are dynamic relationships with many moving parts--athletes, coaches, students, pep squads, parents and others. When it's healthy, fierce competition can engender respect as well…

Educators--and parents and politicians and others--say children are their future. They say that they want students to think critically, that they want them to be problem-solvers, to ask questions, to challenge educators to make the world a better place. And yet, the author sees educators set aside these high aspirations and silenced by the fear of…

Summarizes accomplishments of the United Nations over its 50-year history. Taking the principles of the United Nations to heart can help ensure that the global community is a real community in which all peoples of the world are important. (SLD)

Explores nonpunitive ways to deal with bullies and their victims in school settings. Appropriate consequences for the bully and role play training for bullies, victims, and other children are among the possible solutions. Parent participation can be very important, but any approach must begin with establishing the child's trust. (SLD)

Traditional interventions (small group, individual counseling, classroom guidance, parent conferences) were obviously having little or no effect to stop bullying among children. The bullies had stuck with their project relentlessly, using snide looks, vicious whispering and a systematic plan to totally isolate one child on the playground. These…

Describes task force efforts in a number of South Carolina schools to create a positive racial climate and outlines a curriculum used in three South Carolina high schools as part of this effort. The curriculum, called "Bridges," uses seven steps sequenced to lead students from awareness of racial bias to actions to deal with it. (SLD)

Describes efforts by some high school and middle school coaches to counter the negative societal trend toward disrespect and violence in sports. These efforts include enlisting parent support and participation in character education, as well as implementing formal curricula that promote respect and oppose violence. (SLD)

Classroom activities for examining effects of war and contemplating world peace are derived from the story of Sadako, a Japanese girl who died as a result of atomic bomb radiation. Making paper cranes, as Sadako did, and participating in schoolwide programs are suggested for primary, middle, and upper grades. (SLD)

Describes the variety of summer training programs for teachers that gives them opportunities for professional growth in tolerance-related education. The 10 programs reviewed address issues such as character education, African American culture, the Holocaust, values education, gender issues, and other aspects of multicultural education and conflict…

Teaching Tolerance's Mix It Up program encourages students to take active roles in improving the social climates of their schools. best known for the annual Mix It Up at Lunch Day--November 15 this year--the program also offers mini-grants for student-centered activites outside the classroom aimed at helping ease tensions and improve relations…

Examines the use of mediation skills in elementary and secondary education. Discusses the rise in school violence; and describes mediation techniques, the rationale for their use, school programs to introduce mediation, peer mediators, and long-term benefits to students and the school community. Offers resources. (JB)