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From Fists to Words

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Lesson Plan

From Fists to Words Lesson Plan

Students will learn and practice key de-escalation strategies—calming techniques, “I” statements, active listening, and safe distancing—and demonstrate these skills through guided role-play.

Physical altercations can escalate quickly, putting students at risk. This lesson equips 10th graders with practical tools to manage anger, communicate assertively, and resolve conflicts safely, fostering self-control and reducing incidents.

Audience

10th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction, modeling, and role-play

Materials

De-Escalation Strategies Worksheet, Physical Altercation Scenario Cards, and Stopwatch or Timer

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Goal Setting

5 minutes

  • Greet the student and explain the session’s purpose: learning to replace aggression with positive communication
  • Ask the student to briefly share any past altercation experiences and how they responded
  • Emphasize that mastering these strategies can prevent harm and build confidence

Step 2

Review De-Escalation Worksheet

10 minutes

  • Provide the student with the De-Escalation Strategies Worksheet
  • Walk through each section:
    • Calming techniques (deep breathing exercise)
    • Using “I” statements to express feelings
    • Active listening steps
    • Creating physical or emotional space
  • Pause after each strategy for the student to ask questions or practice briefly

Step 3

Teacher Modeling

5 minutes

  • Draw a scenario card from the Physical Altercation Scenario Cards
  • Role-play the scenario, demonstrating:
    • Calming breath
    • “I feel…” statement
    • Listening and paraphrasing
  • Highlight specific language and body-language cues used

Step 4

Student Role-Play Practice

8 minutes

  • Have the student draw a new scenario card
  • Student practices both roles (person A and B) using de-escalation steps
  • After each mini-role-play, provide immediate, specific feedback:
    • Praise effective calming or communication
    • Gently correct missed steps or phrasing

Step 5

Reflection and Next Steps

2 minutes

  • Ask the student which strategy felt most natural or helpful
  • Set one personal goal (e.g., “I will pause and take three breaths before responding when upset”)
  • Encourage the student to practice this goal during the week and report back
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Worksheet

De-Escalation Strategies Worksheet

Use this worksheet to learn and practice four key strategies for managing and resolving conflicts without aggression. Complete each section, then reflect on how you can apply these skills in real situations.

1. Calming Techniques

Sometimes the first step is to calm your mind and body. Identify two calming techniques you can use when you start to feel angry or upset:







Now practice one technique right now. Close your eyes and take three slow, deep breaths. In the space below, describe how you felt before and after the breathing exercise.

Before: _____________________________________________







After: ______________________________________________







2. Using “I” Statements

“I” statements help you express your feelings without blaming others. Rewrite each blaming statement below as an “I” statement.

  1. “You never listen to me!”



  2. “You made me look stupid!”



  3. “You’re always in my way!”



3. Active Listening

Active listening means showing the other person you care about what they’re saying. The three main steps are:

a. Give full attention (eye contact, open body language)
b. Paraphrase what you heard (“What I’m hearing is…”)
c. Ask a clarifying question (“Can you tell me more about…?”)

Think of a recent disagreement you had. In the space below, write how you would use active listening to respond.

I would say: “_______________________________________________”












4. Creating Physical or Emotional Space

Sometimes stepping back can prevent a conflict from getting worse. List two ways you could create safe space (physically or emotionally) in a tense situation:







5. Reflection and Personal Goal

  1. Which of the four strategies did you find most helpful or natural to practice? Why?






  1. Set one personal goal for using de-escalation strategies this week (be specific):

“I will________________________________________________”







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