HOW IT WORKS:
FOSTER:
Classes "Foster" one or more bunnies in their classroom for up to eight weeks.
We provide the rabbit, the cage, the food & hay and the curriculum.
The rabbit serves as a visible reminder that we need to take care of each other.
Students explore topics related to prevention/resolution and peace building.
Classes test their brainstormed ideas for peace building.
At the conclusion of the eight weeks, classes give the rabbit and supplies back to our
program so they may be re-assigned to another class/camp.
(**If a teacher or a student's family wishes to adopt the rabbit, and if that rabbit is open for adoption, approved applicants get first "dibs" )
ACTIVITY:
Each day, classes participate in a 10-20 minute learning activity that showcases rabbit behavior that can be applied to human behavior. Rather than directly approaching bullying and school violence, this method allows students to explore the topic by learning about rabbits and then draw the connection to their own life, their home and school environment.
Each lesson is designed to be copied, distributed to students at home or emailed.
Each lesson is assigned to a parent volunteer who presents the material to the class with the child.
(This lessens the load on teachers and gets families engaged in the curriculum).
With minimal prep-time, material could also be student led.
CONTENT AREAS:
Safe & Flourishing
Learn about what rabbits need to be healthy and describe a "happy bunny."
Discuss what factors students need at home, in their neighborhoods and schools
to be able to feel safe, cared for, to be healthy and to be able flourish.
Diversity Learn about rabbit colony behavior and litter behavior.
Discuss the importance of culture, perception, experience,
and personal bias in understanding the viewpoint of others.
Emotional & Social Development
Learn about rabbit development and how they respond to
people and to each other. View developmental trajectory of emotional
responses in infants and young children. Relate development of social and
emotional responses to their class-age. Students identify/name their emotions
Conflict Learn about how rabbit respond to stress and conflict.
Understand conflict as a natural phenomenon,explore personal reaction
to conflict situations, and expand knowledge relate to conflict and violence.
Violence Prevention
Discuss what makes rabbits bite and techniques that rabbit breeders
use to prevent biting. Mention episodes of school violence during the last
few years (age appropriate). Explore why school violence is occurring.
Conflict Resolution
Learn about how intervention by the rabbit's owners
can help resolve apathy and resolve conflict between rabbits.
Assess personal style of conflict management, learn about various methods
and techniques for resolving conflicts for interaction
with adults and children.
Bullying & Victimization
Learn that rabbits rise to become the alpha bunny in a colony and that
other rabbits become submissive are repeatedly attacked.
Examine the concept of bullies and of bullying behaviors. Discuss current trends
toward recognizing and reducing this behavior as a school-wide effort. Present the
role of the victim. Explain the research indicating that victims are often
re-victimized and discuss possible causes and cures for this trend.
Peace Building
Learn how rabbit breeders can help to create a positive, caring, loving, and
safe environment for their baby bunnies. Students discuss how these
techniques could be used in their homes, neighborhoods and schools.
Students brainstorm for ways to make their classroom/school more peaceful and
inclusive. As appropriate, classrooms test and adopt ideas.
