Lesson Plan
Resolving Differences Plan
Over three 50-minute sessions, 7th graders will master CASEL’s relationship skills—active listening, empathy, and collaborative problem-solving—to analyze and transform conflicts into constructive solutions.
These essential skills help students manage disagreements, build empathy, and foster a supportive classroom climate, preparing them for academic collaboration and lifelong interpersonal success.
Audience
7th Grade Class, Middle School Students
Time
3 sessions of 50 minutes each
Approach
Interactive mini-lessons, structured practice, reflective assessment
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Steps to Peaceful Solutions Slides to familiarize yourself with the five-step conflict framework
- Print or project role-reverse debate prompts for Role-Reverse Debates Activity
- Arrange classroom seating into pairs and small circles
- Preview the Peer Mediation Circles Discussion guide and print rubrics for each student
- Ensure each student has a copy of the Conflict Resolution Self-Assessment Rubric
Step 1
Session 1: Active Listening Foundations
50 minutes
- Introduce the module and CASEL’s relationship skills (active listening, empathy, collaboration)
- Present the Steps to Peaceful Solutions Slides outlining five conflict-resolution steps
- Model active listening with a teacher–student volunteer demonstration
- Pair students; Student A shares a minor conflict for 2 minutes while Student B practices active listening and mirrors back feelings
- Switch roles and repeat
- Whole-group debrief: What did you notice about listening? How did it affect the speaker?
Step 2
Session 2: Empathy through Role Reversal
50 minutes
- Recap Session 1 key takeaways on active listening
- Introduce the role-reverse debate format and distribute prompts from the Role-Reverse Debates Activity
- In pairs, assign each student a position in a hypothetical conflict; allow 5 minutes per side to argue
- Encourage use of empathy statements ("I understand you feel…") during debates
- After both sides, ask pairs to identify what insights they gained by inhabiting the other perspective
- Debrief: How did taking another’s viewpoint change your understanding?
Step 3
Session 3: Collaboration and Self-Assessment
50 minutes
- Review the five steps from the Steps to Peaceful Solutions Slides
- Form small groups (4–5 students) and assign roles: speaker, mediator, observers
- Conduct peer mediation circles using the Peer Mediation Circles Discussion guide
- Rotate roles so each student mediates once
- After circles, students complete the Conflict Resolution Self-Assessment Rubric rating their use of listening, empathy, and problem solving
- Whole-class reflection: Share one strategy you’ll use when you next face a conflict
Slide Deck
Steps to Peaceful Solutions
Today we’ll learn 5 steps to guide us through any conflict:
- Identify the Problem
- Understand Perspectives
- Brainstorm Solutions
- Evaluate & Choose
- Act & Reflect
Welcome students! Introduce CASEL’s five-step framework for turning conflicts into constructive conversations. Explain that these steps will guide them through resolving disagreements respectfully.
Step 1: Identify the Problem
• State the issue in a neutral, specific way
• Focus on behaviors, not personalities
• Ask: What happened? When? Where?
Explain that defining the core issue clearly is essential. Offer examples like "My partner interrupts me during group work." Ask students to distinguish between facts and judgments.
Step 2: Understand Perspectives
• Listen actively: mirror feelings (“I hear you feel…”)
• Ask open-ended questions (“Can you tell me more?”)
• Acknowledge emotions and needs
Discuss why it’s important to see both your own and the other person’s viewpoint. Model active listening and empathy statements.
Step 3: Brainstorm Solutions
• List as many ideas as possible
• No idea is “wrong” at this stage
• Aim for win-win outcomes
Encourage creative, judgment-free solution generation. Emphasize that quantity matters before quality.
Step 4: Evaluate & Choose
• Review each idea’s advantages and challenges
• Use agreed criteria to rank options
• Select the most acceptable solution for all
Guide students through comparing pros and cons. Show how to agree on criteria (fairness, respect, feasibility).
Step 5: Act & Reflect
• Put the chosen solution into practice
• Reflect: What worked? What could improve?
• Make adjustments as needed
Highlight the importance of following through and checking in afterward. Use a real example to illustrate.
Practice Scenario
“Two friends both want to be team captain for the school play. They argue over who deserves the role.”
Use Steps 1–5 to find a solution.
Split students into small groups and give them this scenario. Ask them to work through each step together. Afterwards, debrief as a class.
Activity
Role-Reverse Debates Activity
Objective: Students practice empathy and perspective-taking by debating from an assigned role, even if it differs from their own view.
Materials:
- Scenario cards or printed slips with conflict prompts
- Timer or stopwatch
- Paper and pens for note-taking
Setup: Prepare scenario slips before class. Each slip should present a two-sided conflict (see prompts below). Shuffle slips and place them in a stack at the front of the room.
Instructions
- Pair up students and have each pair draw one scenario slip.
- Assign each partner a side of the conflict (Side A or Side B). Roles should be determined by draw (e.g., odd-numbered draw = Side A).
- Give pairs 2 minutes to plan arguments for their assigned side. Encourage them to jot down:
- Key points supporting their position
- Empathy statements (“I understand you believe… because…”) they might use
- Conduct the debate: Each side has 1½ minutes to present their argument without interruption.
- After both presentations, allow 1 minute for each partner to ask clarifying questions of the other (e.g., “Can you tell me more about why you feel that way?”).
- Swap roles and repeat steps 3–5 with the same scenario.
- Conclude with a 5-minute paired reflection using the questions below.
Conflict Prompts (Scenario Cards)
- Two students both want to lead the class project and disagree on who’s more qualified.
- Friends clash because one wants quiet study time while the other prefers to listen to music.
- Team members argue over who should receive credit for a successful presentation.
- Two classmates fight over seating at lunch when only one seat remains at a popular table.
Reflection Questions
- What new insights did you gain by arguing the opposite side?
- Which empathy statements helped you feel more connected to that perspective?
- How might this practice of role-reversal change how you handle real conflicts?
Discussion
Peer Mediation Circles Discussion
Use this discussion guide during Session 3 to help students practice collaborative conflict resolution in small circles. Rotate roles so each student has a turn as the speaker, mediator, and observer.
1. Setup (5 minutes)
- Form groups of 4–5 students and assign initial roles:
- Speaker: shares a real or hypothetical conflict
- Mediator: guides the conversation using open questions and active listening
- Observers (rest of the group): note key points, feelings, and strategies used
- Provide each group with the Conflict Resolution Self-Assessment Rubric for later reflection.
2. Mediation Process (20 minutes)
Step A: Speaker Shares (3 minutes)
- Speaker describes the conflict clearly:
- What happened? Who was involved? Where and when?
- How do you feel about it?
Step B: Mediator Questions (5 minutes)
The mediator asks open, neutral questions to help the speaker clarify and explore perspectives:
- “Can you tell me more about what you were feeling at that moment?”
- “What do you think the other person’s side of the story is?”
- “Why is resolving this conflict important to you?”
Step C: Observer Feedback (5 minutes)
Observers share neutral observations:
- Content: What were the main facts or concerns?
- Feelings: What emotions did you notice?
- Skills: Which listening or empathy strategies did you see?
Step D: Brainstorm & Plan (5 minutes)
- As a group, use the Steps to Peaceful Solutions framework (Steps to Peaceful Solutions Slides):
- Identify the core problem again
- List possible solutions
- Evaluate pros and cons
- Agree on next steps
- Speaker chooses one action to try and commits to it.
3. Role Rotation & Repeat (20 minutes)
- Rotate roles so each student has an opportunity to be the speaker, mediator, and observer.
- For each round, choose a new conflict or continue refining the same one.
4. Whole-Class Debrief (5 minutes)
- What strategies helped most in resolving or understanding conflicts?
- How did mediating someone else’s conflict make you more aware of your own listening skills?
- What will you do differently next time you face a disagreement?
After completing all rounds, have students individually fill out the Conflict Resolution Self-Assessment Rubric to reflect on their growth in active listening, empathy, and problem-solving.
Rubric
Conflict Resolution Self-Assessment Rubric
Use this rubric to reflect on your performance in Session 3 and in peer mediation activities. Circle the level that best describes your typical behavior.
| Criteria | 1 – Beginning | 2 – Developing | 3 – Proficient | 4 – Exemplary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | • Rarely makes eye contact • Interrupts speaker • Does not paraphrase or ask questions | • Occasionally makes eye contact • Rarely interrupts • Sometimes paraphrases speaker’s words | • Usually maintains eye contact • Listens without interrupting • Paraphrases feelings and facts • Asks clarifying questions | • Always attentive with body language • Never interrupts • Deeply paraphrases emotions & content • Asks open-ended questions to deepen understanding |
| Empathy | • Shows little awareness of others’ feelings • Offers no validation or understanding | • Recognizes some emotions in others • Occasionally offers simple empathy statements (“I’m sorry”) | • Often acknowledges and validates others’ feelings • Uses statements like “I can see you feel…” | • Consistently names and explores underlying emotions • Offers supportive statements that build trust (“I understand this matters to you because…”) |
| Collaborative Problem-Solving | • Struggles to suggest solutions • Focuses on own needs • Does not consider consequences | • Generates 1–2 basic ideas • Limited attention to fairness or feasibility | • Brainstorms multiple ideas • Weighs pros and cons • Seeks a solution acceptable to all | • Leads group in creative, win-win solutions • Establishes clear criteria (fairness, respect, feasibility) • Guides evaluation and commits to follow-through |
After completing your self-assessment, set one specific goal for how you will improve in your next mediation or conflict situation.