Lesson Plan
Conflict Superheroes!
Students will learn to identify common conflict scenarios and practice using 'I statements' to express their feelings and needs respectfully.
Learning to resolve conflicts peacefully is a superpower! It helps students keep their friendships strong, feel good about themselves, and navigate tricky social situations with confidence.
Audience
3rd Grade Social Skills Group
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, collaborative role-playing, and guided practice.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Conflict Superheroes Slide Deck, Role-Play Scenario Cards, and I Statement Practice Worksheet
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Conflict Superheroes Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print and cut out the Role-Play Scenario Cards.
- Print copies of the I Statement Practice Worksheet.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for use.
- Arrange seating for small group discussion and role-playing.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What's a Conflict?
5 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Conflict Superheroes Slide Deck and ask students: 'What comes to mind when you hear the word 'conflict'?'
- Facilitate a brief discussion, guiding students to understand that conflict is a disagreement or argument, and it's a normal part of life.
- Introduce the idea that we can learn to resolve conflicts like superheroes!
Step 2
Understanding Conflict & I Statements
10 minutes
- Use slides 2-4 of the Conflict Superheroes Slide Deck to explain common conflict examples relevant to 3rd graders.
- Introduce 'I statements' as a powerful tool for expressing feelings and needs without blaming.
- Provide examples: 'You always take my ball!' vs. 'I feel sad when my ball is taken without asking because I want to play with it.'
- Have students practice turning 'You statements' into 'I statements' as a group, using examples from the slides.
Step 3
Role-Play Practice
10 minutes
- Distribute Role-Play Scenario Cards to pairs or small groups.
- Each group will choose one scenario and practice using 'I statements' to resolve the conflict.
- Circulate and provide support, coaching students on their 'I statements' and active listening.
- After a few minutes, have one or two groups share their role-play and resolution with the larger group.
Step 4
Wrap-Up: Conflict Superpowers
5 minutes
- Distribute the I Statement Practice Worksheet for individual reflection.
- Reiterate that using 'I statements' is a valuable conflict resolution superpower.
- Conclude by asking students to share one thing they learned about solving conflicts.
Slide Deck
Conflict Superheroes!
What happens when people don't agree?
What is a 'conflict'?
Welcome students and introduce the exciting topic! Ask them to brainstorm what 'conflict' means to them. Encourage all answers and guide them towards a simple definition.
What is Conflict?
Conflict is when people have a disagreement or an argument.
It's a normal part of life! Even superheroes have disagreements!
Examples:
- Two friends want to play different games.
- Someone takes your pencil without asking.
- You and your sibling argue over who gets the last cookie.
Reinforce the idea that conflict is normal. Give simple, relatable examples that 3rd graders might experience, like sharing toys or disagreeing on a game.
When Conflicts Happen...
Sometimes, when we're upset, we might say things like:
- "You always take my stuff!"
- "You never let me play!"
- "You're being mean!"
Do these statements help solve the problem? (Wait for answers - usually no.)
They often make the other person feel blamed and defensive, making the problem bigger!
Explain why just shouting 'You did it!' isn't helpful. Introduce the idea of owning your feelings.
Your Conflict Superpower: I Statements!
'I statements' help you share your feelings and needs without blaming others.
They sound like this:
I feel ______ when ______ because _______. I need/want _______.
Example: Instead of "You took my ball!", try...
"I feel sad when my ball is taken without asking because I want to play with it. I want you to ask me first next time."
Introduce the concept of 'I statements' clearly. Emphasize the structure and why it works (focuses on self, not blame). Give a clear, simple example.
Let's Practice Our Superpower!
Turn these 'You statements' into 'I statements':
-
"You always interrupt me!"
- _I feel ___________________ when ___________________ because ___________________. I want __________________.
-
"You never listen to my ideas!"
- _I feel ___________________ when ___________________ because ___________________. I want __________________.
-
"You pushed me!"
- _I feel ___________________ when ___________________ because ___________________. I want __________________.
Provide a few scenarios for group practice. Guide students to collaboratively form 'I statements' for each. Provide feedback and encouragement.
Time for Role-Play!
Now it's your turn to be a conflict superhero!
You will work with a partner or a small group to practice using 'I statements' to solve a conflict. You'll get a scenario card to help you.
Transition to the role-play activity. Explain that they will get cards to practice with a partner or small group.
You're a Conflict Superhero!
You now have a powerful tool to solve disagreements: I Statements!
Remember to:
- Stay calm.
- Use 'I statements' to share your feelings.
- Listen to others.
- Work together to find a solution.
Reinforce the main takeaway. Give a quick, positive send-off.
Script
Conflict Superheroes! Script
Warm-Up: What's a Conflict? (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super important that happens to all of us. Look at our first slide, titled Conflict Superheroes! Slide Deck. What comes to mind when you hear the word 'conflict'? Don't worry, there's no wrong answer. Just share what you think of."
(Allow students to share. Guide them towards the idea of disagreements or arguments.)
Teacher: "Great ideas! Conflict is simply when people have a disagreement or an argument. It's a totally normal part of life! Think about it, even your favorite superheroes sometimes disagree, right? The good news is, we can learn how to handle these disagreements and solve them, just like real superheroes!"
Understanding Conflict & I Statements (10 minutes)
Teacher: "Let's look at the next few slides in our Conflict Superheroes Slide Deck. Sometimes, when we're feeling upset in a conflict, we might say things like, 'You always take my stuff!' or 'You never let me play!' or even 'You're being mean!'"
Teacher: "Do you think saying things like that usually helps solve the problem? Or does it sometimes make the other person feel blamed and get more upset?"
(Wait for student responses. Guide them to understand that blame often makes things worse.)
Teacher: "You got it! When we blame, it often makes the problem bigger. But guess what? We have a superpower that can help! It's called an 'I statement.'"
Teacher: "An 'I statement' helps you share your feelings and needs without blaming others. It focuses on you and how you feel, not on what the other person did wrong. They usually follow a pattern like this: I feel ______ when ______ because _______. I need/want _______."
Teacher: "Let's try an example. Instead of saying, 'You took my ball!', a conflict superhero would say: 'I feel sad when my ball is taken without asking because I want to play with it. I want you to ask me first next time.' See how it explains your feelings and what you need without making the other person feel attacked?"
Teacher: "Now, let's practice together! Look at the slide with the 'You statements.' Let's try to turn these into 'I statements' as a group. Who wants to try the first one: 'You always interrupt me!' How could we turn that into an 'I statement'?"
(Guide students through turning the 'You statements' on the slide into 'I statements', providing support and examples as needed.)
Role-Play Practice (10 minutes)
Teacher: "Excellent job, future conflict superheroes! Now it's time to put your superpower to the test. I'm going to give each pair or small group a Role-Play Scenario Card. On each card, there's a small conflict."
Teacher: "Your job is to work with your partner or group to act out the scenario and practice using 'I statements' to try and solve the conflict peacefully. Remember, focus on how you feel and what you need."
(Distribute Role-Play Scenario Cards. Circulate around the room, listening, providing gentle coaching, and encouraging students. After about 7 minutes, bring the class back together.)
Teacher: "Fantastic effort, everyone! It takes bravery to try out new skills. Would one or two groups like to share their scenario and how they used 'I statements' to resolve it?"
(Allow one or two groups to share, highlighting good examples of 'I statements' and respectful listening.)
Wrap-Up: Conflict Superpowers (5 minutes)
Teacher: "You are all becoming true conflict superheroes! To finish up today, I have a quick I Statement Practice Worksheet for you to take a moment and reflect on what we learned."
(Distribute the I Statement Practice Worksheet. Allow a couple of minutes for students to start.)
Teacher: "Remember, using 'I statements' is a valuable conflict resolution superpower that can help you keep your friendships strong, feel good about yourself, and navigate tricky social situations with confidence. What is one thing you learned today about solving conflicts?"
(Allow a few students to share their biggest takeaway.)
Teacher: "Excellent! Keep practicing your 'I statements,' and you'll be conflict superheroes in no time!"
Activity
Conflict Superheroes: Role-Play Scenario Cards
Cut along the lines to create individual cards.
Scenario 1: The Toy Takeover
You are playing with a toy you brought from home. Another student comes over and grabs it without asking, saying, "I want to play with this now!"
- Your Task: Use an "I statement" to tell the other student how you feel and what you need.
Scenario 2: The Line Cutter
You are waiting patiently in line for the water fountain. Another student pushes past you and cuts to the front.
- Your Task: Use an "I statement" to express your feelings and what you would like to happen.
Scenario 3: The Game Changer
You and a friend are playing a game together, and you both agreed on the rules. Suddenly, your friend decides to change the rules in the middle of the game to benefit themselves.
- Your Task: Use an "I statement" to tell your friend how you feel about the sudden rule change and what you want to do.
Scenario 4: The Loud Talker
You are trying to focus on your work, but a student next to you is talking very loudly and distracting you.
- Your Task: Use an "I statement" to let them know how their loud talking is affecting you and what you need to concentrate.
Scenario 5: The Unfair Trade
You traded a snack with a friend, but later you feel like the trade wasn't fair and you got the shorter end of the stick.
- Your Task: Use an "I statement" to express your feelings about the trade and what you want to do.
Scenario 6: The Group Project Disagreement
You are working on a group project, and one member isn't doing their share of the work, leaving it all to you and another student.
- Your Task: Use an "I statement" to tell the group member how you feel about the unequal workload and what you need from them.
Worksheet
My Conflict Superpower: I Statements!
Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________
Conflict is a normal part of life, and now you have a superpower to help solve it: I Statements!
Remember the pattern:
I feel ______ when ______ because _______. I need/want _______.
Part 1: Fill in the Blanks!
Complete the "I statements" below with your own words. Think about a time you might feel this way.
- I feel _________________________ when _________________________ because _________________________. I want _________________________.
- I feel _________________________ when _________________________ because _________________________. I need _________________________.
Part 2: Turn "You" into "I"!
Read the "You statements" below. Imagine someone said this to you, or you might have felt this way. Rewrite them as powerful "I statements"!
- Original (You) Statement: "You never share your crayons!"My "I" Statement:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - Original (You) Statement: "You always talk over me!"My "I" Statement:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - Original (You) Statement: "You made me spill my milk!"My "I" Statement:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Part 3: Create Your Own!
Think of a small conflict you might have at school or home. Write down a "You statement" someone might say, and then rewrite it as an "I statement."
A conflict idea: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Original (You) Statement:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My "I" Statement:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________