Lesson Plan
Conflict Resolution Crew Lesson Plan
Students will learn to identify common conflicts and apply peaceful strategies to resolve disagreements with peers, fostering positive interactions.
Learning conflict resolution skills helps students navigate social challenges, build stronger friendships, and create a more harmonious classroom and school environment. It empowers them to solve problems independently and respectfully.
Audience
Grades 3-5
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Interactive scenarios, discussion, and a collaborative game to practice conflict resolution.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Conflict Resolution Crew Slide Deck, Conflict Scenarios Game Cards, and Conflict Resolution Steps Handout
Prep
Review Materials and Prepare
15 minutes
- Review the Conflict Resolution Crew Lesson Plan and all generated materials.
- Ensure projector/whiteboard is set up for the Conflict Resolution Crew Slide Deck.
- Print and cut out the Conflict Scenarios Game Cards.
- Print the Conflict Resolution Steps Handout for each student.
Step 1
Introduction: What's a Conflict?
10 minutes
- Begin with a warm-up question: "What's a 'puzzle' in friendship?"
- Use the Conflict Resolution Crew Slide Deck to introduce the idea of conflicts as "friendship puzzles."
- Discuss common types of conflicts students might encounter (e.g., sharing, turn-taking, disagreements).
- Introduce the concept of the "Conflict Resolution Crew" – students becoming problem-solvers.
Step 2
Learning Conflict Resolution Steps
15 minutes
- Present the key steps for conflict resolution using the Conflict Resolution Crew Slide Deck:
1. Stay Calm: Take a deep breath.
2. Listen: Hear both sides.
3. Talk it Out: Use "I" statements.
4. Brainstorm Solutions: Think of fair ways to solve the problem.
5. Agree on a Solution: Choose one that works for everyone.
- Distribute the Conflict Resolution Steps Handout for students to follow along and keep.
Step 3
Conflict Scenarios Game
20 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
- Explain the rules of the Conflict Scenarios Game: Each group will pick a card with a conflict scenario and work together to apply the conflict resolution steps to find a solution.
- Circulate among groups, offering guidance and facilitating discussions.
- After 15 minutes, bring the class back together to share a few solutions and discuss challenges they faced.
Slide Deck
Conflict Resolution Crew: Solving Friendship Puzzles!
What does it mean to have a "friendship puzzle"?
Welcome students and introduce the idea of today's lesson. Ask them what they think a "puzzle" in friendship might be.
What Are Friendship Puzzles (Conflicts)?
- Disagreements or arguments with friends.
- When you both want different things.
- It's a problem that needs solving!
Explain that conflicts are normal, but we can learn how to solve them like detectives!
Step 1: Stay Calm 🧘
- Take a deep breath.
- Count to ten.
- Give yourself space if needed.
Introduce the first step: Stay Calm. Emphasize taking deep breaths or counting to help calm down.
Step 2: Listen Up! 👂
- Let the other person talk.
- Try to understand their feelings and their side of the story.
- Don't interrupt!
Explain the importance of listening to understand the other person's side. Ask students why this is important.
Step 3: Talk it Out! 🗣️
- Use "I" statements (e.g., "I feel [emotion] when [action] because [reason]").
- Explain how you feel clearly and calmly.
- Focus on the problem, not the person.
Teach students to use "I" statements to express their feelings without blaming. Give examples like "I feel sad when..." instead of "You always..."
Step 4: Brainstorm Solutions! 💡
- Think of many different ways to solve the problem.
- Are there any win-win solutions?
- No idea is silly!
Encourage creative problem-solving. Ask students to brainstorm different ways to solve a simple conflict.
Step 5: Agree on a Solution! ✅
- Choose a solution that both people can agree on.
- Make sure it's fair for everyone.
- Shake hands or give a high-five to show agreement!
Explain that the chosen solution should be fair and something both parties can agree on. Reinforce that not every solution is perfect, but cooperation is key.
Time to Be Conflict Resolution Crew Members!
Now, let's put our skills to the test!
- Work in your groups.
- Pick a Conflict Scenarios Game Card.
- Use the 5 steps to solve the friendship puzzle!
Introduce the game and explain that they will now practice these steps. Refer to the game cards.
You are a Conflict Resolution Crew!
You have the power to solve friendship puzzles!
Remember these steps:
- Stay Calm
- Listen Up!
- Talk it Out!
- Brainstorm Solutions!
- Agree on a Solution!
Summarize the key takeaways and remind them they can use these skills every day.
Game
Conflict Scenarios Game: Solving Friendship Puzzles!
Objective: To practice applying the 5 conflict resolution steps to real-life friendship scenarios.
Materials:
- Conflict Scenarios Game Cards
- Conflict Resolution Steps Handout (for reference)
Instructions:
- Form Your Crew: Divide into small groups of 3-4 students.
- Pick a Puzzle: Each group will take one Conflict Scenarios Game Card.
- Read the Scenario: Read the conflict situation aloud within your group.
- Solve the Puzzle: As a team, use the 5 Conflict Resolution Steps to work through the scenario. Discuss each step:
- Stay Calm: How would the characters in the scenario calm down?
- Listen Up!: What are both sides of the story? What might each person be feeling?
- Talk it Out!: How could the characters use "I" statements to express themselves?
- Brainstorm Solutions!: What are at least three different ways they could solve this problem?
- Agree on a Solution!: Which solution is the fairest and best for everyone? Why?
- Be Ready to Share: After your group has worked through a scenario, be prepared to share your chosen solution and why you think it's effective with the class.
Conflict Scenarios (Print and Cut into individual cards)
Card 1: The Ball Hogs
Leo and Maya are playing soccer at recess. Leo keeps kicking the ball far away, and Maya never gets a chance to dribble. Maya is starting to get really frustrated and feels left out.
Card 2: The Art Project Argument
During art class, you and your partner, Sam, are working on a shared painting. You want to use bright blue for the sky, but Sam insists on using dark purple. You both think your idea is best and start arguing loudly.
Card 3: The Broken Toy
Your friend, Chloe, borrowed your favorite toy car, and when she gave it back, one of the wheels was broken. She says it was already like that, but you know it wasn't when you lent it to her. You feel angry and sad.
Card 4: The Lunch Line Cut-In
You are waiting patiently in the lunch line. Suddenly, another student, Alex, pushes past you and your friends to get to the front of the line. You feel annoyed and like it's unfair.
Card 5: The Secret Spiller
You told your friend, Ben, a secret and asked him not to tell anyone. The next day, you hear other classmates talking about your secret. You feel betrayed and embarrassed.
Card 6: The Group Project Disagreement
In your science group, everyone needs to contribute ideas for a presentation. You have a great idea, but another group member, Sarah, keeps interrupting and saying her ideas are better, not letting anyone else speak. You feel ignored.
Worksheet
Conflict Resolution Crew: Our 5 Steps to Solving Friendship Puzzles!
Being a good friend means knowing how to solve problems when they come up. Use these 5 steps to become a Conflict Resolution Crew member and solve any friendship puzzle!
The 5 Conflict Resolution Steps:
Step 1: Stay Calm! 🧘
- Take a deep breath.
- Count to ten in your head.
- Think before you speak or act.
- If you need to, take a short break from the situation to calm down.
Step 2: Listen Up! 👂
- Let the other person explain their side without interrupting.
- Try to understand how they are feeling.
- Ask questions if you don't understand something.
Step 3: Talk it Out! 🗣️
- Use "I" statements to explain how you feel.
- Example: "I feel sad when I don't get a turn with the ball."
- Explain what happened from your point of view calmly.
- Focus on the problem, not on blaming the person.
Step 4: Brainstorm Solutions! 💡
- Think of lots of different ways to solve the problem.
- Work together to come up with ideas.
- Write down or say every idea, even if it sounds silly at first.
- Think about solutions that could make everyone happy.
Step 5: Agree on a Solution! ✅
- Look at all the solutions you brainstormed.
- Choose one that you both agree on.
- Make sure it feels fair to everyone involved.
- Shake hands, high-five, or say "okay" to show you agree.
Practice Time!
Think of a small disagreement you had recently. How could you have used these 5 steps to solve it?