Students will learn and practice constructive conflict resolution strategies to navigate disagreements with peers effectively.
Learning to resolve conflicts peacefully is a vital life skill that helps students maintain friendships, improve communication, and create a more positive and respectful school environment.
Audience
6th Grade Small Group
Time
30 Minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, role-playing, and practical exercises.
Display the first slide of the Conflict Commanders Slide Deck. Ask students to think about a time they had a disagreement. Discuss briefly what conflict is and common reactions to it. Emphasize that conflict is normal and can be managed.
Stop & Cool Down: Taking a moment to breathe before reacting.
Listen & Talk: Actively listening to the other person's side and calmly explaining your own.
Find a Solution: Brainstorming fair solutions together.
Facilitate a short discussion about how these strategies can be applied in real-life situations.
Step 3
Practice Makes Peace
10 minutes
Distribute the Conflict Resolution Worksheet. Guide students through a simple role-play scenario where they can practice using the strategies. Encourage them to work in pairs or small groups to apply 'Stop & Cool Down,' 'Listen & Talk,' and 'Find a Solution' to a hypothetical conflict. Circulate to provide support and feedback.
Step 4
Cool-Down: Peace Path Reflection
5 minutes
Distribute the Peace Path Cool Down worksheet. Ask students to reflect on one strategy they learned today and how they plan to use it. Facilitate a quick sharing circle if time allows, or collect their reflections as an exit ticket.
Slide Deck
Conflict Commanders: Mastering Peace!
Navigating disagreements with respect and skill!
Welcome students to the lunch and learn. Ask them if they've ever had a disagreement with a friend or family member. Introduce the idea that conflict isn't always bad, but how we handle it matters.
What's the Fuss About Conflict?
Conflict is a disagreement or argument.
It happens all the time, to everyone!
How do you usually react?
Engage students with a question: 'What does conflict mean to you?' Allow a few students to share their initial thoughts. Explain that conflict is a disagreement or argument, and it happens to everyone. The key is how we respond.
Strategy 1: Stop & Cool Down
When emotions run high, take a break!
Pause: Don't react immediately.
Breathe: Take a few deep breaths.
Think: What's the real problem here?
Example: Counting to 10, walking away for a minute.
Introduce the first step: Stop & Cool Down. Explain that when you're feeling angry or frustrated, it's hard to think clearly. Give examples like taking deep breaths, counting to ten, or stepping away for a moment. Ask: 'Why is it important to cool down first?'
Strategy 2: Listen & Talk
Understand the other side, then share yours.
Listen Actively: Give the other person your full attention.
Hear Their Side: Try to understand their feelings and perspective.
Use 'I Statements': Express your feelings calmly.
Instead of 'You always...', try 'I feel... when... because...'
Explain the importance of active listening. Emphasize hearing the other person's perspective without interrupting. Then, teach students to use 'I statements' to express their feelings without blaming. Model an 'I statement' vs. a 'You statement.'
Strategy 3: Find a Solution
Work together to make things better!
Brainstorm Ideas: Think of many possible ways to solve the problem.
Choose a Fair Solution: Pick an idea that works for everyone.
Guide students to think about solutions. Stress that a good solution is fair to both sides. Encourage brainstorming multiple ideas before settling on one. Ask: 'What does a 'win-win' solution look like?'
Time to Practice!
Let's put our new skills into action!
Work through scenarios.
Practice Stop & Cool Down.
Practice Listen & Talk.
Practice Find a Solution.
Become a true Conflict Commander!
Explain that students will now practice these skills using the worksheet and role-playing. Reiterate that practice helps them become better 'Conflict Commanders.'
Worksheet
Conflict Resolution Practice: Be a Conflict Commander!
Scenario: You and your friend both want to use the same basketball at recess. You both grabbed it at the same time and are now pulling it in opposite directions. You both feel frustrated and think the other person is being unfair.
Step 1: Stop & Cool Down
Before you say or do anything you might regret, what are two things you could do to calm yourself down in this moment?
Why is it important to calm down before trying to solve the problem?
Step 2: Listen & Talk
Now that you're calm, it's time to understand each other.
What might your friend be feeling or thinking in this situation?
Using an "I Statement," how could you tell your friend how you feel and what you want, without blaming them?
Step 3: Find a Solution
Work together to find a solution that works for both of you. List at least two possible solutions for this basketball conflict.
Which solution do you think is the fairest? Why?
Cool Down
Peace Path Cool Down
Take a moment to reflect on today's lesson about becoming a Conflict Commander.
My Peace Path Promise
Out of the strategies we discussed (Stop & Cool Down, Listen & Talk, Find a Solution), which one do you think will be most helpful for you?
How do you plan to use this strategy the next time you face a disagreement?
What is one new thing you learned about conflict today?
