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Navigating Peer Conflicts

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Jeffrey Pesaturo

Tier 3
For Schools

Slide Deck

Navigating Peer Conflicts

Empowering 11th Grade Students to Manage Peer Conflict and Reduce Class Avoidance

Introduce the lesson by outlining the purpose and setting the tone for a supportive discussion about peer conflicts and class avoidance. Emphasize the individual approach of the session.

Objective & Importance

Objective: Equip students with effective strategies for managing peer conflicts and reducing class avoidance.

Why It Matters: Enhancing emotional resilience and classroom engagement.

Discuss the lesson's objectives and why this lesson is important. Focus on fostering communication and conflict resolution skills.

Introduction & Discussion

  • What are some challenges you face during conflicts with peers?
  • How does peer conflict affect class participation?

Set the stage for class discussion. Ask open-ended questions and encourage safe sharing about personal experiences or observations of peer conflict.

Role-Play Activity

Instructions:
• Divide into small groups.
• Use provided role-play scenarios.
• Practice conflict resolution and effective communication techniques.
• Rotate roles to explore different strategies.

Explain the role-play activity. Direct students into small groups and distribute role-play scenarios. Remind them to rotate roles to try different perspectives.

Debrief & Strategy Sharing

Discussion Points:
• Share outcomes from role-play scenarios.
• Summarize effective communication and conflict resolution strategies.
• Open forum for questions and reflections.

Facilitate a class-wide debrief. Highlight successful strategies and address any lingering questions. Encourage students to articulate the key points learned.

Conclusion & Takeaways

Key Takeaways:
• Manage peer conflicts with effective communication.
• Enhance class participation by reducing avoidance behaviors.
• Apply these strategies to build resilience and healthy relationships.

Wrap up the session with a conclusion slide that reinforces the importance of addressing peer conflict and encourages students to apply these strategies in real-life scenarios.

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Activity

Conflict Resolution Role-Play Scenarios

This activity provides realistic role-play scenarios aimed at helping 11th-grade students practice effective communication and conflict resolution skills in peer conflict situations. These scenarios simulate common situations that may lead to class avoidance, encouraging students to explore strategies that foster understanding and de-escalate tension.

Instructions for the Role-Play Activity

  1. Group Formation:

    Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students. Each group will choose or be assigned a scenario from the list below.

  2. Scenario Exploration:

    • Each group will read through their assigned scenario.
    • Assign roles within the group (e.g., the main parties in conflict, a mediator, and an observer).

  3. Role-Playing and Reflection (15 minutes):

    • Act out the scenario, ensuring that everyone gets a chance to participate by rotating roles.
    • Focus on employing techniques such as active listening, empathy, and assertive communication.
    • After the role-play, each group will discuss within themselves what strategies were effective and what could be improved.

  4. Debriefing:

    • Reconvene as a whole class.
    • Each group will share a brief summary of their scenario and discuss the resolution strategies they explored.
    • The teacher will guide a discussion on how these strategies can be applied in real-life situations to address peer conflicts and reduce class avoidance.

Sample Role-Play Scenarios

  1. Scenario 1: Misunderstanding in Group Work

    Situation: Two group members misunderstand each other's contributions during a collaborative project, leading to frustration and avoidance by one member.

    Focus: Practice clarifying assumptions, active listening, and expressing constructive feedback.

  2. Scenario 2: Exclusion During Social Breaks

    Situation: A student feels left out during lunch or break times, which escalates into tense interactions when they finally try to join a group activity.

    Focus: Use conflict de-escalation techniques and assertive negotiation to create an inclusive environment.

  3. Scenario 3: Rumor and Miscommunication

    Situation: A rumor spreads that one student is responsible for a mistake, causing isolation and reluctance to engage in class discussions.

    Focus: Encourage fact-checking, seeking clarification, and addressing the issue directly with the involved parties to prevent further conflict.

  4. Scenario 4: Overlooked Contributions

    Situation: A student feels their contributions in class discussions are being overlooked, which leads to them avoiding participation and developing resentment towards peers.

    Focus: Role-play scenario to actively listen, validate contributions, and propose methods for inclusive dialogue.







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Worksheet

Communication Skills Handout

This handout is designed to help you identify and develop key communication skills needed to effectively resolve conflicts. As you go through this handout, think about how these skills apply both during our role-play activity and in real-life situations.

Active Listening

  1. What does active listening mean to you? Explain in your own words.





  2. Describe a time when you felt truly heard during a conversation. What made that experience effective?





Empathy and Perspective-Taking

  1. Why is it important to consider another person's perspective during a conflict?





  2. Imagine a situation where you and a friend disagree on a school project. List two ways you could show empathy in this situation.





Assertive Communication

  1. What is assertive communication and how does it differ from aggressive or passive communication?





  2. Write down three assertive statements you could use when explaining your feelings during a conflict.





Conflict Resolution Techniques

  1. List and explain two techniques that can help de-escalate a tense situation during a conflict.





  2. Reflect on a recent conflict you observed or experienced. What communication skill would have helped improve the situation? Explain your thoughts.





Use this handout as a reference during our role-play activity and try to incorporate these tips into your conversations. Remember, effective communication is key to resolving conflicts and building healthy relationships.

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