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Conflict Navigator

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Ryan Lovell

Tier 2
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Conflict Navigator Plan

Students will identify and practice constructive conflict-resolution strategies through guided discussion, role-play scenarios, and personal reflection to improve peer collaboration and social-emotional skills.

Equipping students with conflict-resolution skills helps reduce peer tension, promotes positive group dynamics, and fosters lifelong collaboration and communication abilities.

Audience

9th Grade Group

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Guided discussion, role-play practice, and reflective writing.

Materials

  • Resolving Disagreements Deck, - Role-Play Resolutions Activity Guide, and - Conflict Reflection Sheet

Prep

Prepare Materials & Space

10 minutes

  • Print copies of the Conflict Reflection Sheet for each student.
  • Load the Resolving Disagreements Deck on a computer or tablet and test the display.
  • Review scenarios and prompts in the Role-Play Resolutions Activity Guide.
  • Arrange chairs in a circle to facilitate discussion and role-play.
  • Ensure a whiteboard or chart paper is available for note-taking.

Step 1

Introduction & Objective

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and briefly review group norms (respect, active listening).
  • Display the session objective: constructive conflict-resolution strategies.
  • Ask students to share examples of recent disagreements and how they handled them.
  • Record key challenges on the board to revisit later.

Step 2

Guided Discussion of Strategies

10 minutes

  • Present three conflict-resolution strategies using the Resolving Disagreements Deck:
    • Active listening and empathy statements
    • «I» messages to express feelings without blame
    • Collaborative problem-solving steps
  • For each strategy, ask for student reflections and real-life examples.
  • Summarize and write the strategies on the board.

Step 3

Role-Play Practice

15 minutes

  • Divide students into pairs and assign each a scenario from the Role-Play Resolutions Activity Guide.
  • Instruct pairs to enact the conflict using one of the strategies discussed.
  • After 3–4 minutes, rotate roles and try a different strategy or scenario.
  • Circulate to observe, guide, and prompt deeper use of empathy and cooperative language.
  • Invite one or two pairs to demonstrate for the whole group.

Step 4

Reflection & Closure

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Conflict Reflection Sheet.
  • Ask students to individually reflect on and write responses to:
    • Which strategy felt most comfortable?
    • What was challenging about using it?
    • How might they apply it in future conflicts?
  • Invite volunteers to share key takeaways.
  • Summarize the session and encourage students to practice these skills outside the group.
lenny

Slide Deck

Conflict Navigator: Resolving Disagreements

Strategies to navigate conflicts constructively and build stronger relationships.

Welcome students to the session. Introduce yourself and explain the purpose: learning constructive ways to resolve disagreements.

Session Objective

By the end of this session, you will:

  • Identify three effective conflict-resolution strategies
  • Practice each strategy in discussion and role-play
  • Reflect on how to apply these skills in real situations

Read the objective aloud. Emphasize why these skills matter in everyday life.

Group Norms

  • Respect everyone’s perspective
  • Listen fully before responding
  • Speak honestly using kind words
  • Maintain confidentiality within the group

Briefly review each norm. Invite students to add any additional ideas.

Strategy 1: Active Listening & Empathy

Definition:

  • Fully focus on speaker’s words and feelings

Key Actions:

  • Maintain eye contact
  • Paraphrase what you hear (“I hear you saying…”)
  • Acknowledge feelings (“You seem frustrated.”)

Example Scenario:

  • Two friends disagree over a group project role. One listens, reflects back, and defuses tension.

Explain what active listening looks like: eye contact, nodding, paraphrasing. Prompt students to share times they felt heard.

Strategy 2: “I” Messages

Formula:

  • “I feel [emotion] when [situation] because [reason].”

Why It Works:

  • Focuses on your experience
  • Avoids blaming language

Example:

  • “I feel upset when my ideas aren’t heard because I want to contribute to our success.”

Demonstrate an “I” message with a volunteer. Highlight how it reduces blame.

Strategy 3: Collaborative Problem-Solving

Steps:

  1. Define the problem clearly
  2. Brainstorm solutions together
  3. Evaluate pros and cons
  4. Agree on a solution and next steps

Example:

  • Two teammates compromise on dividing tasks based on strengths.

Walk through each problem-solving step. Use a real conflict example to illustrate collaborative brainstorming.

Discussion Prompt

In pairs, choose one strategy and discuss:

  • A recent conflict you experienced
  • How you might use the strategy to address it
  • What challenges or benefits you anticipate

Ask pairs to pick one strategy and discuss a recent disagreement. Encourage sharing of feelings and ideas.

Role-Play Instructions

  1. Form pairs and choose a scenario from the activity guide
  2. Select one strategy to use in your role-play
  3. Spend 4 minutes enacting the conflict and resolution
  4. Switch roles and/or try a different strategy
  5. Volunteers will demonstrate for the group

Explain logistics: pairing, timing, rotation. Circulate and coach as students practice.

Reflection & Next Steps

Reflect on today’s practice:

  • Which strategy was most comfortable? Why?
  • What was challenging about using it?
  • How will you apply it in future conflicts?

Takeaway: Practice one strategy this week and notice the impact.

Distribute reflection sheets. Give students quiet time, then invite volunteers to share insights.

lenny

Activity

Role-Play Resolutions Activity Guide

Purpose: In this paired activity, students practice using conflict-resolution strategies in realistic scenarios. Each pair will enact both sides of a disagreement, apply different strategies, and reflect on effectiveness.

Materials:

  • Resolving Disagreements Deck (for reference)
  • A printed copy of each scenario (below)
  • Timer or watch

Setup:

  1. Arrange the group into pairs.
  2. Assign each pair one scenario (rotate if more pairs than scenarios).
  3. Provide each student a copy of the Conflict Reflection Sheet for later debrief.

Instructions:

  1. Within your pair, decide who will play Person A and Person B first.
  2. Choose one conflict-resolution strategy from today’s discussion:
    • Active Listening & Empathy
    • “I” Messages
    • Collaborative Problem-Solving
  3. Read your scenario and spend 3 minutes enacting the conflict, using the chosen strategy.
  4. After 3 minutes, switch roles and pick a second strategy. Enact the same scenario again for another 3 minutes.
  5. Use the final 2 minutes to briefly discuss:
    • Which strategy felt most natural?
    • Which deepened your understanding of the other person’s perspective?

Total Time per Pair: 8 minutes

Scenarios (choose one per pair):

  1. Group Project Role Dispute
    Person A feels they are doing most of the work and Person B isn’t contributing.

  2. Misunderstood Text Message
    Person A sent a group-chat message that Person B thought was sarcastic and hurtful.

  3. Locker-Use Conflict
    Person A used Person B’s art supplies without permission and returned them damaged.

  4. Team Sports Strategy Clash
    Person A wants to use an aggressive play, Person B prefers a defensive approach and feels unheard.

  5. Spread of a Rumor
    Person A heard a rumor that Person B started it. Person B denies involvement and feels betrayed.


    ### Reflection & Debrief (5 minutes)
    After all pairs have completed their role-plays, reconvene as a whole group:

  • Invite volunteers to share insights from their reflections on the Conflict Reflection Sheet.
  • Ask:
    • Which strategy helped you feel most understood?
    • What was challenging about using an unfamiliar strategy?
    • How might you apply these approaches in real disagreements at school?

Close by summarizing the value of trying multiple strategies and committing to using at least one this week.

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Conflict Reflection Sheet

Name: ________________________ Date: ______________ Group: _____________

Strategies Practiced

Select all strategies you used in your role-play:

  • Active Listening & Empathy
  • “I” Messages
  • Collaborative Problem-Solving

Reflection Questions

  1. Describe one scenario you role-played and the strategy you used:











  2. Which strategy felt most natural for you and why?











  3. What was most challenging when using this strategy?











  4. How did applying this strategy affect the outcome of your role-play?











  5. Think about a real conflict you might face at school. How could you apply one of these strategies?











  6. What is one personal goal you will set for using conflict-resolution strategies this week?











When you finish, be prepared to share one key insight with the group.

lenny
lenny