Script: Conflict Resolution Crew

Warm-Up: What's the Buzz? (5 minutes)

(Teacher displays Warm Up: What's the Buzz? on projector or distributes handouts)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! To kick off our lesson today, I want you to think about one word: conflict. When you hear that word, what's the very first thing that pops into your mind? I've given you a handout, Warm Up: What's the Buzz?, to write your thoughts down. You have about two minutes to jot down whatever comes to mind. Don't overthink it!"

(Pause for students to write. Circulate the room.)

Teacher: "Alright, let's hear a few. Who would like to share one word or a short phrase that came to mind?"

(Call on a few students. Acknowledge their responses without judgment. Examples might include: fight, argument, disagreement, problem, yelling, sad, unfair.)

Teacher: "Great answers! It sounds like many of us have had experiences with conflict, and sometimes those experiences can feel challenging. Today, we're going to become the 'Conflict Resolution Crew' and learn how to navigate those challenges in a way that helps everyone."

Introduction to Conflict (10 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Conflict Resolution Crew - Slide 1: Welcome, Conflict Resolution Crew!)

Teacher: "Welcome, Conflict Resolution Crew! That's what we'll be today – a team dedicated to understanding and solving conflicts. Conflict is a part of life. It happens everywhere: at school, at home, with friends, and even with family members. It's not always a bad thing, but how we handle it can make a big difference."

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Conflict Resolution Crew - Slide 2: What is Conflict?)

Teacher: "So, what exactly is conflict? It's often a disagreement or an argument. It happens when people have different ideas, different wants, or different opinions. Think about it: Have you ever wanted to play one game, but your friend wanted to play another? That's a small conflict! Conflict can also be when someone feels hurt or misunderstood by someone else."

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Conflict Resolution Crew - Slide 3: Why Be a Conflict Resolver?)

Teacher: "Why is it important to learn how to resolve conflicts? Well, being a 'Conflict Resolver' is like having a superpower! It helps us build strong friendships, solve problems fairly so everyone feels heard, and even makes us feel better by reducing stress. Most importantly, it helps us make our classroom, our homes, and our communities happier and more peaceful places. When we resolve conflicts well, everyone wins."

Understanding the Peace Path (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Now that we know what conflict is and why resolving it matters, let's learn a fantastic tool called 'The Peace Path.' I have a special reading for you, Reading: The Peace Path. I'd like you to read it quietly to yourselves, or we can read it together as a class. Pay close attention to the steps outlined in the reading."

(Distribute Reading: The Peace Path. Allow time for reading, then bring attention back to the front.)

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Conflict Resolution Crew - Slide 4: The Peace Path: Your Guide to Peace)

Teacher: "Who can tell me, in their own words, what the Peace Path is?"

(Allow 1-2 student responses.)

Teacher: "Excellent! The Peace Path is a step-by-step guide to help us work through disagreements peacefully. Let's walk through these steps together."

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Conflict Resolution Crew - Slide 5: Peace Path Steps 1-3)

Teacher: "Step 1: Cool Down. This is super important! When you're upset or angry, it's hard to think clearly. What are some ways you can 'cool down' when you're feeling frustrated?"

(Allow a few student responses: e.g., take deep breaths, count to ten, walk away for a moment, get a drink of water.)

Teacher: "Great ideas! Step 2: Share Your Side. Once you're calm, it's time to explain how you feel. The best way to do this is by using 'I feel' statements. Instead of saying, 'You always take my things!', you could say, 'I feel frustrated when my things are taken without asking.' How does using 'I feel' statements change things?"

(Allow 1-2 student responses. Emphasize that it focuses on feelings, not blame.)

Teacher: "Exactly! It helps the other person understand your emotions. And then, Step 3: Listen Actively. This means truly listening to the other person's side without interrupting. Pretend you're a detective trying to understand their clues. What does active listening look like?"

(Allow a few student responses: e.g., make eye contact, nod, don't interrupt.)

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Conflict Resolution Crew - Slide 6: Peace Path Steps 4-6)

Teacher: "Now for the solution part! Step 4: Brainstorm Solutions. Together, you and the other person think of all the possible ways to solve the problem. Don't worry if an idea sounds silly at first; just get them all out there! What if two friends both want to use the same swing? What are some solutions they could brainstorm?"

(Allow a few student responses: e.g., take turns, find another activity, use a timer.)

Teacher: "Perfect! Then, Step 5: Choose a Solution. Look at all the ideas and pick one that works for both of you. The goal is a 'win-win' where both people feel okay about the outcome. And finally, Step 6: Agree and Move On. Once you've chosen a solution, agree to it, maybe shake hands or say thank you, and let go of the disagreement. It's about moving forward."

Building a Conflict Toolbox (15 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Conflict Resolution Crew - Slide 7: Your Conflict Toolbox)

Teacher: "Besides the Peace Path, we all have personal strategies, or 'tools,' we can use when conflicts start brewing or when we need a moment. We're going to build our own personal Conflict Toolbox! I'm handing out Worksheet: My Conflict Toolbox."

**(Distribute Worksheet: My Conflict Toolbox.)

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Conflict Resolution Crew - Slide 8: Tools For Your Toolbox)

Teacher: "On your worksheet, you'll see some space to write down your own tools. Some examples could be: walking away to cool down before talking, asking a trusted adult for help, using a calm voice when speaking, or offering a sincere apology. What are some other tools you think belong in a conflict toolbox?"

(Facilitate a short brainstorm, writing ideas on the board. Encourage students to write these ideas on their worksheets. Give students time to complete their worksheets.)

Role-Play Resolutions (10 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Conflict Resolution Crew - Slide 9: Practice Time: Role Play!)

Teacher: "Now that we have our Peace Path steps and our amazing Conflict Toolboxes, it's time to practice! I'm going to divide you into small groups. Each group will receive a scenario card from Activity: Role Play Resolutions. Your task is to act out the scenario and, as a group, use the Peace Path steps and tools from your toolbox to resolve the conflict peacefully."

(Divide students into small groups. Distribute scenario cards from Activity: Role Play Resolutions. Circulate, listen, and offer guidance as groups role-play. After a few minutes, bring the class back together.)

Teacher: "Fantastic effort, everyone! What did you notice during the role-plays? Was it easy to use the Peace Path? What was challenging?"

(Call on a few groups to share their experiences or a successful resolution.)

Game: Conflict Card Challenge (5 minutes) (Optional: Use if time permits)

Teacher: "To quickly reinforce what we've learned, let's play a super-fast round of Game: Conflict Card Challenge! I'll give each group a conflict card, and you'll have 30 seconds to yell out one Peace Path step or toolbox tool you'd use. Ready?"

(Play a quick round. Keep it fast-paced and fun.)

Cool-Down: One Word Wisdom (5 minutes)

(Teacher displays Cool Down: One Word Wisdom or prepares whiteboard.)

Teacher: "Alright, Conflict Resolution Crew, we're nearing the end of our mission today. For our cool-down, I want you to think about everything we've discussed. On your Cool Down: One Word Wisdom handout, or if we're writing on the board, I want you to write down ONE word that summarizes what you learned about conflict resolution today, or how you feel about being a conflict resolver."

(Give students a minute to write. Call on a few students to share their word and explain why they chose it.)

Teacher: "Wonderful! Remember, conflict resolution is a skill, and like any skill, it gets better with practice. You all have the power to be amazing peace-builders in our classroom and beyond."

Assessment and Extension (Optional)

Teacher: "For those who want to review their understanding, we have a Quiz: Conflict Resolution Check that we can complete later. Also, if you're interested in taking your peace-building skills to the next level, I have a Project Guide: Community Peace Builders with a Rubric: Conflict Resolution Project for a larger project you can work on."

Teacher: "Thank you, Conflict Resolution Crew! Keep building that peace!"

Warm Up: What's the Buzz?

Instructions: When you hear the word "CONFLICT," what's the very first thing that comes to your mind? Write down your thoughts, feelings, or images below.

Bonus: Why do you think people have conflicts?

Reading: The Peace Path

Conflict is a natural part of life. We all have different ideas, feelings, and needs, and sometimes these can clash. But don't worry, there's a special path we can follow to help solve problems peacefully, called The Peace Path!

Think of the Peace Path like a set of clear directions. When you follow these steps, you're much more likely to find a solution that works for everyone and keep your friendships strong.

The Steps on The Peace Path

Here are the steps to walk down The Peace Path when you have a disagreement:

Step 1: Cool Down

Before you do anything else, take a moment to cool down. When we're angry or upset, it's hard to think clearly. Take three deep breaths. Count to ten. Walk away for a minute if you need to. The calmer you are, the better you can solve the problem.

Step 2: Share Your Side

Once you're calm, it's time to explain what happened from your point of view. Use "I feel" statements to talk about your feelings without blaming. For example, instead of saying, "You always grab the ball from me!" you could say, "I feel sad when the ball is taken from me without asking."

Step 3: Listen Actively

Now it's the other person's turn to share their side. Your job is to listen very carefully, without interrupting. Try to understand their feelings and what they are saying. You can show you're listening by looking at them and nodding.

Step 4: Brainstorm Solutions

Together, think of all the possible ways to solve the problem. Don't judge any ideas right away – just list as many as you can! Think outside the box. Even silly ideas can sometimes lead to great ones.

Step 5: Choose a Solution

Look at all the solutions you brainstormed. Pick one that you both agree on. The best solutions are usually "win-win" solutions, where both people feel good about the outcome, even if it's not exactly what they first wanted.

Step 6: Agree and Move On

Once you've chosen a solution, agree to try it out. You might shake hands, say "thank you," or just nod. The most important part is to let go of the disagreement and move forward. Remember, practicing these steps makes you a fantastic peace-builder!

Worksheet: My Conflict Toolbox

Everyone has different ways they like to handle tricky situations. Your Conflict Toolbox is a collection of your personal strategies for cooling down, communicating, and finding solutions when conflicts arise. These are tools you can use before or during a disagreement.

Instructions: Think about how you deal with conflicts or how you want to deal with them. List at least 5 tools you can put in your personal Conflict Toolbox. For each tool, briefly explain how it helps.

My Conflict Toolbox Tools:

1. Tool: ____________________________________________________
   How it helps:
   
   
   

2. Tool: ____________________________________________________
   How it helps:
   
   
   

3. Tool: ____________________________________________________
   How it helps:
   
   
   

4. Tool: ____________________________________________________
   How it helps:
   
   
   

5. Tool: ____________________________________________________
   How it helps:
   
   
   

Bonus Challenge: Share one of your favorite tools with a partner. How might it help them?

Discussion: Peaceful Solutions

Let's talk about conflict and how we can become excellent at resolving it peacefully. Share your thoughts and listen to your classmates' ideas!

Discussion Questions:

1. Think about a time you had a small disagreement with a friend or family member. What happened? How did it make you feel? (No need to share names or private details, just the situation.)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What does it feel like when a conflict isn't solved well? What happens to the people involved?
   
   
   
   

3. What does it feel like when a conflict is solved well? How do people feel afterwards?
   
   
   
   

4. Why do you think it's sometimes hard to stay calm when you're in a conflict?
   
   
   
   

5. How can using "I feel" statements (like "I feel frustrated when...") help you share your side without making the other person defensive?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. Imagine you and a friend both want the last slice of pizza. What are three different solutions you could brainstorm? Which one is a "win-win"?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

7. What's one new thing you learned today about resolving conflicts that you want to try using?

Activity: Role Play Resolutions

Instructions: In your small groups, you will receive a scenario card. Read the scenario and then, as a team, act it out. Your goal is to use the steps of Reading: The Peace Path and the tools from your Worksheet: My Conflict Toolbox to resolve the conflict peacefully. Remember to focus on active listening and finding a "win-win" solution.

Scenario Cards:

Scenario 1: The Broken Crayon

• Characters: Jamie and Alex
• Situation: Jamie lent Alex their favorite, brand new crayon. When Alex gave it back, it was broken in half. Jamie is upset and thinks Alex was careless.

Scenario 2: Playground Push

• Characters: Maya and Sam
• Situation: During recess, Maya was running to get on the swing, and Sam accidentally bumped into her, causing her to fall. Maya thinks Sam pushed her on purpose.

Scenario 3: The Group Project

• Characters: Chloe and David
• Situation: Chloe and David are working on a science project together. Chloe feels like she's doing all the work, while David is constantly distracted and not contributing his fair share.

Scenario 4: Whispers in the Hall

• Characters: Liam and Sarah
• Situation: Liam overheard Sarah and another friend whispering and laughing, and he thinks they were talking about him in a mean way. Liam feels hurt and left out.

Scenario 5: The Lunch Trade

• Characters: Emily and Ben
• Situation: Emily and Ben agreed to trade snacks at lunch. Emily gave Ben her cookies, but then Ben said he didn't want Emily's carrot sticks anymore. Emily feels tricked.

Tips for Role-Playing:

• Take turns speaking.
• Use "I feel" statements.
• Listen carefully to the other person.
• Work together to find a solution that makes both characters feel better.

Game: Conflict Card Challenge

Instructions: This is a quick-fire game to test your conflict resolution reflexes! Your teacher will read out a conflict scenario. As a team, you need to quickly shout out a Peace Path step or a tool from your Conflict Toolbox that you would use to help solve the problem. The goal is to be fast and clever!

Conflict Cards:

• Card 1: Your sibling took your favorite toy without asking.
• Card 2: Two friends are arguing loudly about whose turn it is on the computer.
• Card 3: Someone accidentally spills juice on your homework.
• Card 4: You disagree with your group about the best way to do a class project.
• Card 5: You feel left out when your friends make plans without you.
• Card 6: You see two classmates yelling at each other during recess.
• Card 7: Someone keeps interrupting you when you're trying to talk.
• Card 8: You accidentally broke something that belongs to someone else.
• Card 9: A friend keeps telling you what to do, and you don't like it.
• Card 10: You feel angry because you think someone cheated in a game.

Answer Key: Conflict Resolution Check (Quiz)

Quiz Questions and Answers:

1. What is the first step in The Peace Path?

   • Correct Answer: Cool Down
   • Thought Process: The Peace Path begins with calming emotions to ensure a rational approach to the conflict.

2. Which of the following is an example of an "I feel" statement?

   • Correct Answer: I feel frustrated when my pencil is taken without asking.
   • Thought Process: "I feel" statements focus on personal emotion and avoid blaming, which is crucial for constructive communication.

3. What does it mean to "listen actively" in a conflict?

   • Correct Answer: To truly hear and understand the other person's side without interrupting.
   • Thought Process: Active listening involves focusing completely on the speaker to grasp their perspective, not just waiting for a turn to speak.

4. Which step involves thinking of many different ways to solve a problem?

   • Correct Answer: Brainstorm Solutions
   • Thought Process: Brainstorming is the process of generating multiple ideas, which is key to finding creative solutions.

5. What is the goal of choosing a solution in the Peace Path?

   • Correct Answer: To find a "win-win" solution where both people feel okay.
   • Thought Process: A

Project Guide: Community Peace Builders

Goal: Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to become a

Rubric: Conflict Resolution Project

This rubric will be used to assess your "Community Peace Builders" project. Remember to show your understanding of conflict resolution and how to apply it in real-world situations.

Project Rubric

Scoring:

• A: 15-16 points
• B: 13-14 points
• C: 11-12 points
• D: 9-10 points
• F: 8 points or below

Teacher Comments:

Cool Down: One Word Wisdom

Instructions: Think about everything we discussed today about conflict and how to resolve it. In the space below, write down just ONE word that describes:

• What you learned today, OR
• How you feel about being a conflict resolver, OR
• One important idea you want to remember.
  
  
  My One Word Wisdom:

Bonus: Why did you choose this word?

Journal: Reflecting on Resolution

Take some time to think deeply about what we discussed today regarding conflict resolution. Use these prompts to write about your thoughts and feelings.

Journal Prompts:

1. Describe a time you witnessed a conflict (it could be in a book, a movie, or real life). How was it handled? What do you think could have been done differently using the Peace Path steps?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What is the hardest part about resolving a conflict for you? Is it cooling down, sharing your feelings, listening to others, or finding a solution? Explain why.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Imagine you are teaching a younger student about conflict resolution. What is the most important piece of advice you would give them, and why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. How do you think our classroom or school could be a more peaceful place if everyone used conflict resolution skills regularly?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. What is one specific conflict resolution tool or Peace Path step you are going to try to use in your life this week? Describe when and how you might use it.