Lesson Plan
De-escalation Detective Training
Students will be able to identify and practice basic de-escalation techniques through interactive scenarios.
Learning de-escalation strategies helps students navigate tricky social situations, manage their emotions, and support their peers, fostering a safer and more positive school environment.
Audience
5th Grade Small Group
Time
55 minutes
Approach
Hands-on, scenario-based learning
Materials
- Case Files: Tricky Situations (Slide Deck), - Scenario Solutions Challenge (Game), - What Would You Do? (Discussion Guide), - Detective's De-escalation Log (Worksheet), - Whiteboard or large paper, and - Markers
Prep
Review and Print Materials
15 minutes
Review the Case Files: Tricky Situations slide deck, familiarize yourself with the scenarios in the Scenario Solutions Challenge, and print copies of the Detective's De-escalation Log worksheet for each student. Ensure you have markers and a whiteboard or large paper ready.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What's the Case?
5 minutes
Begin by asking students to share a time they saw someone upset or angry. How did it make them feel? Introduce the idea of being a "De-escalation Detective" and the goal of the lesson: to learn how to help solve "tricky situations" by calming things down.
Step 2
Introduction to De-escalation
10 minutes
Use the Case Files: Tricky Situations slide deck to introduce key de-escalation strategies. Focus on active listening, empathetic statements, and simple calming techniques (e.g., deep breaths). Discuss why these strategies are helpful.
Step 3
Scenario Solutions Challenge
20 minutes
Divide students into pairs or small groups. Present scenarios from the Scenario Solutions Challenge (can be displayed on a screen or read aloud). Each group will discuss and role-play how they would de-escalate the situation using the strategies learned. Circulate and provide guidance and feedback.
Step 4
Group Discussion: What Would You Do?
10 minutes
Bring the groups back together for a whole-group discussion using the prompts from What Would You Do?. Encourage students to share their approaches and reflect on what worked well and what was challenging.
Step 5
Detective's De-escalation Log
5 minutes
Distribute the Detective's De-escalation Log worksheet. Have students choose one scenario from the challenge and jot down the de-escalation steps they would take. This serves as a quick individual reflection and a take-home reminder of the strategies.
Step 6
Cool-Down: Badge of Honor
5 minutes
Ask students to share one de-escalation strategy they feel most confident using. Congratulate them on becoming "De-escalation Detectives" and emphasize that practicing these skills helps everyone.
Slide Deck
Case Files: Tricky Situations
Becoming De-escalation Detectives!
Welcome students and introduce the concept of tricky situations. Explain that everyone faces them, and today we'll learn how to handle them like detectives.
What is De-escalation?
It means helping to calm down a tense or upset situation.
Think of it like being a superhero who helps solve problems peacefully!
Ask students what 'de-escalation' sounds like. Guide them to the idea of 'bringing down' or 'calming' a situation.
Why Be a De-escalation Detective?
- Helps everyone feel safe and understood.
- Prevents small problems from becoming big problems.
- Makes our school a happier place!
Discuss real-life examples of when this might be useful – arguments between friends, someone being frustrated with a game, etc.
Detective Skill 1: Active Listening
Give the other person your full attention.
- Look at them.
- Nod to show you're listening.
- Don't interrupt.
- Try to understand how they feel.
Explain what active listening looks like: nodding, eye contact, repeating what they heard. Emphasize really hearing the other person.
Detective Skill 2: Empathetic Statements
Show you understand their feelings.
- "I hear you sound upset."
- "It looks like you're feeling frustrated."
- "I understand this is hard for you."
Provide examples of empathetic statements. "I can see you're really frustrated." "It sounds like you're having a tough time with that." Explain how this shows you care.
Detective Skill 3: Calming Techniques
Sometimes, just taking a moment can help.
- Take 3 deep breaths together.
- Count to 5 slowly.
- Offer a quiet space.
Teach a simple deep breathing exercise. Practice together. Explain that sometimes just helping someone breathe can make a big difference.
Time for Your First Case!
Now, let's put on our detective hats and solve some tricky situations!
Explain that now they will get to put these skills into practice with some real 'case files'.
Game
Scenario Solutions Challenge: De-escalation Detectives
Objective: Work with your team to investigate tricky situations and use your de-escalation skills to find peaceful solutions.
Instructions:
- Form Your Detective Team: You will be assigned to a small group (your detective team).
- Receive Your Case File: Your teacher will present a "case file" (a scenario).
- Investigate the Scene: As a team, read or listen carefully to the scenario. What is happening? Who is upset? What are they feeling?
- Brainstorm Solutions: Discuss with your team: What de-escalation strategies could you use? (Think: Active Listening, Empathetic Statements, Calming Techniques).
- Role-Play Your Solution: Practice how you would talk to the person and try to de-escalate the situation. One person can play the upset individual, and others can be the detectives.
- Be Ready to Share: Your teacher may ask your team to share your solution with the class.
Case Files (Scenarios)
Case File 1: The Missing Markers
Imagine your classmate, Alex, is really angry because they can't find their favorite markers. They are yelling, "Someone stole my markers! I can't finish my art project! This is so unfair!" They look like they might cry or throw something.
Case File 2: The Frustrated Friend
Your friend, Maya, is struggling with a math problem and keeps erasing her work with a lot of force. She groans loudly and says, "I'm so stupid! I'll never get this! I hate math!" She's starting to crumple her paper and look very defeated.
Case File 3: The Playground Dispute
During recess, you see two classmates, Ben and Chloe, arguing loudly over who gets to use the swing. Ben shouts, "I had it first!" and Chloe replies, "No, I did! You always take everything!" Their faces are red, and they are standing very close to each other, looking like they might push.
Discussion
What Would You Do? - De-escalation Detective Discussion
Objective: Reflect on the de-escalation scenarios and share insights as a group.
Discussion Questions:
- Which de-escalation strategy did your team find most helpful in your scenario, and why?
- Was it easy or difficult to use active listening or empathetic statements? What made it so?
- Can you think of a time (not from our scenarios) when using one of these strategies might have helped a situation? What happened?
- What was one challenge your team faced when trying to de-escalate a situation, and how did you try to overcome it?
- How do you think using these de-escalation skills can make our classroom or school a better place for everyone?
- What's one thing you learned today about helping someone who is upset that you want to remember?
Worksheet
Detective's De-escalation Log
Name: ________________________
Date: ________________________
Your Mission: Choose one of the "Case Files" scenarios we discussed today (or think of another tricky situation) and fill out your De-escalation Log below.
Case File:
Who was upset and why? (The Suspect & Motive)
What did they look or sound like? (Clues)
What De-escalation Strategies did you use or would you use? (Your Detective Action Plan)
-
Active Listening: What would you listen for or say to show you're listening?
-
Empathetic Statements: What would you say to show you understand their feelings?
-
Calming Techniques: What calming suggestions could you offer or use?
What was the hoped-for outcome? (Solving the Case)