Lesson Plan
Conflict Resolution Plan
Students will learn and practice conflict resolution skills by negotiating solutions, mediating disputes through role-play, and reflecting on peaceful strategies to resolve disagreements.
Teaching conflict resolution equips students with essential life skills for handling disagreements calmly, promotes empathy, improves classroom climate, and reduces behavioral issues school-wide.
Audience
6th Grade Students
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, multimedia, role-play, and reflection.
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review and load Peace Talks Slides in your presentation software.
- Print and cut scenario cards for What Would You Do?.
- Print copies of Role-Play Mediation Scripts.
- Make enough Resolution Reflection Sheets for each student.
- Arrange desks into small groups for role-play activity.
Step 1
Set Expectations
3 minutes
- Welcome students and establish a safe, respectful environment.
- Introduce the goal: learning to resolve conflicts peacefully.
- Review group norms (active listening, no interrupting, confidentiality).
Step 2
What Would You Do? Warm-Up
7 minutes
- Distribute What Would You Do? cards to pairs.
- Each pair reads a scenario and discusses possible solutions.
- Volunteers share one creative resolution with the class.
- Highlight that multiple approaches can work.
Step 3
Introduce Conflict Resolution Strategies
10 minutes
- Present key concepts with Peace Talks Slides: active listening, “I” messages, brainstorming, compromise.
- Model a brief negotiation between two students.
- Ask comprehension questions to check understanding.
Step 4
Role-Play Mediation Activity
20 minutes
- Divide class into groups of three: mediator, Person A, Person B.
- Distribute Role-Play Mediation Scripts.
- Students rotate roles and practice mediating each scenario.
- Circulate to coach mediators on asking open-ended questions and guiding solutions.
Step 5
Resolution Reflection Cool-Down
8 minutes
- Hand out Resolution Reflection Sheets.
- Students individually write about a conflict they’ve faced and which strategies they’d use next time.
- Invite a few volunteers to share insights.
Step 6
Wrap-Up & Assessment
2 minutes
- Ask students to give a thumbs-up if they feel more confident resolving conflicts.
- Remind them to apply these strategies in real life.
- Preview next session on peer support and empathy building.
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Slide Deck
Peace Talks: Conflict Resolution Strategies
Learn how to turn disagreements into solutions using practical tools: active listening, “I” messages, brainstorming, and compromise.
Welcome students: explain that conflicts are normal and that today they’ll learn tools to resolve disagreements. Use an enthusiastic tone to set a positive atmosphere.
Objectives
• Define conflict and its common causes
• Practice active listening and “I” messages
• Brainstorm fair solutions and reach compromise
• Apply skills through a sample negotiation
Read aloud each objective. Emphasize that by the end of the lesson, students will be able to identify conflict, use key strategies, and practice resolving a scenario.
What Is Conflict?
Conflict is a disagreement or clash when people’s needs or ideas differ.
Common causes:
- Misunderstandings
- Limited resources
- Different opinions or goals
Explain that conflict arises when people have different needs or wants. Ask for quick examples from the class (e.g., sharing supplies, team choices).
Strategy 1: Active Listening
- Give full attention (eye contact, body language)
- Reflect back (“So you feel…”)
- Ask clarifying questions
- Avoid interrupting
Demonstrate active listening by modeling with a volunteer: maintain eye contact, nod, repeat back what you heard. Then call on students for definitions.
Strategy 2: "I" Messages
Structure:
“I feel _____ when _____ because _____.”
Example:
“I feel frustrated when we don’t share turns because it’s not fair.”
Show a sample “I” message: “I feel upset when my pencil is borrowed without asking.” Ask students to turn that into an “I” message for a sibling taking snacks.
Strategy 3: Brainstorm & Compromise
Brainstorming:
- List all ideas freely
- No criticism
Compromise:
- Find middle ground
- Each person gives a little to agree
Discuss brainstorming as generating many ideas without judgment, then choosing the best. Define compromise. Use a quick group activity: list 3 possible solutions to playing soccer at recess.
Example Negotiation
Scenario: Two classmates want the last art kit.
- A uses “I” message: “I feel disappointed…”
- B listens actively and asks questions.
- They brainstorm: share kit, take turns, find a second kit.
- They compromise: A uses it first, B next.
Walk through this role-play script step by step: two students both want the last art kit. Pause after each strategy application to ask: “Which tool is being used?”
Quick Check
- What are the 4 steps of active listening?
- Write an “I” message about sharing a book.
Invite volunteers to answer. Reinforce correct answers and clarify misunderstandings. Then preview the role-play activity coming up next.
Warm Up
What Would You Do? Warm-Up
In pairs, read each scenario card, discuss the guiding questions, and be ready to share one creative solution.
Card 1: The Last Pencil
Scenario: You and a classmate reach for the same colored pencil at the same time during art class. Only one pencil remains.
Guiding Questions:
- How would each person feel in this moment?
- What could you say using an “I” message?
- What are two possible fair solutions?
Card 2: Excluded from the Group
Scenario: You’re not chosen to join a group project. The other students whisper about the task without inviting you.
Guiding Questions:
- Why might they have left you out?
- How could you approach them to talk things through?
- What compromise or next steps could include everyone?
Card 3: Recess Game Dispute
Scenario: Two classmates both insist on being team captains for kickball at recess. Neither will step down.
Guiding Questions:
- What needs or concerns do each of them have?
- How can you use brainstorming to find alternative solutions?
- What compromise might satisfy both players?
Card 4: Hurtful Joke
Scenario: Someone in class makes a joke that hurts another student’s feelings. The victim looks upset and doesn’t know how to respond.
Guiding Questions:
- How could you show empathy to the upset student?
- What open-ended questions could you ask the person who made the joke?
- What steps would help everyone feel respected and safe?
Activity
Role-Play Mediation
Organize students into groups of three: Person A, Person B, and the Mediator. Each round lasts about 6 minutes, then rotate roles so every student practices mediating.
Instructions
- Read the scenario aloud.
- Person A and Person B each share their perspective using an “I” message (e.g., “I feel… when… because…”).
- Mediator prompts:
- “Can you tell me what happened in your own words?”
- “How are you feeling right now?”
- “Please use an ‘I’ message to explain why this matters to you.”
- “What ideas do you have to solve this?”
- “What solution feels fair to both of you?”
- Encourage brainstorming—list all ideas without judging, then look for a compromise.
- After 6 minutes, rotate: A → Mediator → B.
Scenario 1: The Shared Charger
Conflict: Two classmates both need the only charger for the classroom tablet.
- Person A: “I have to finish our science group’s slideshow tonight.”
- Person B: “I need to send a photo of my art project to my parents.”
Scenario 2: The Cafeteria Line
Conflict: Two students argue about who was first in line at lunch.
- Person A: “I’ve been standing here since the bell rang.”
- Person B: “I thought the line ended here at the corner.”
Scenario 3: The Team Selection
Conflict: Two students both volunteer to lead the art project and won’t budge.
- Person A: “My ideas will make the project stand out.”
- Person B: “I’m best at organizing our team.”
Reflection Questions
On your Resolution Reflection Sheets, respond to:
- As a mediator, which prompt helped you understand each person’s feelings? Why?
- Which conflict resolution strategy did you see used most (active listening, “I” messages, brainstorming, or compromise)? Explain.
- How could the final agreement be improved to feel even fairer?
Cool Down
Resolution Reflection
Use this sheet to reflect on a conflict you’ve experienced and how you’ll apply today’s strategies in the future.
1. Describe a conflict you recently experienced. What happened and how did you feel?
2. Which conflict resolution strategy would you use next time (active listening, “I” messages, brainstorming, or compromise)? Explain why.
3. What specific steps will you take to reach a peaceful resolution if this happens again?
4. How has today’s lesson changed how you think about handling disagreements?