Lesson Plan
Peace Pathways Lesson Plan
Students will identify and apply four conflict resolution strategies—active listening, I-statements, finding common ground, and compromise—in guided scenarios to handle disagreements respectfully and effectively.
Teaching conflict resolution builds social-emotional skills, reduces classroom tension, and empowers students to manage disagreements constructively, fostering a positive learning environment.
Audience
9th Grade High School Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive mini-lesson and role-play practice
Materials
- Conflict Resolution Scenario Cards, - Active Listening Tips Handout, - Reflection Journal Template, - Whiteboard and Markers, and - Sticky Notes
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and cut Conflict Resolution Scenario Cards
- Print copies of Active Listening Tips Handout and Reflection Journal Template
- Arrange seating into small groups for role-play activities
- Review conflict resolution strategies and familiarize yourself with each scenario card
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Define conflict resolution and explain why it matters in school and beyond
- Ask students to share a brief example of a disagreement they’ve experienced
- Introduce today’s four strategies and lesson objective
Step 2
Teach Strategies
10 minutes
- Distribute Active Listening Tips Handout
- Explain and model each strategy: active listening, I-statements, finding common ground, compromise
- Write key steps on the whiteboard as students take notes
Step 3
Model & Discuss
5 minutes
- Teacher models a short conflict scenario from Conflict Resolution Scenario Cards
- Think aloud through strategy selection and language use
- Ask students to identify which strategies were used and why
Step 4
Role-Play Practice
15 minutes
- Divide students into groups of three; assign roles (person A, person B, mediator)
- Each group selects a scenario card and practices resolving the conflict using the four strategies
- Circulate to coach groups; provide sentence starters for ELLs and scaffold as needed
- Encourage groups to rotate roles so everyone practices mediation
Step 5
Reflection & Assessment
10 minutes
- Distribute Reflection Journal Template
- Students write which strategy they found most useful and how they would apply it in real life
- Collect journals as formative assessment
- Exit ticket on a sticky note: one tip they’ll use in future conflicts
Slide Deck
Peace Pathways: Conflict Resolution Strategies
9th Grade | 45 minutes
Building respectful and effective communication
Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Explain that today they’ll learn four key conflict resolution strategies to use in school and beyond.
Lesson Objectives
• Identify four conflict resolution strategies
• Practice using active listening, I-statements, finding common ground, and compromise
• Apply strategies in role-play scenarios
• Reflect on how to use these tools in real life
Read aloud the objectives. Emphasize that students will not only learn but will practice these strategies today.
Why Conflict Resolution?
• Builds empathy and trust
• Reduces tension and misunderstandings
• Empowers you to handle disagreements constructively
• Creates a positive learning environment
Discuss why conflict resolution matters: reducing tension, building relationships, and creating a positive classroom climate.
4 Key Strategies
- Active Listening
- I-Statements
- Finding Common Ground
- Compromise
Briefly introduce all four strategies so students know the roadmap for the mini-lesson.
Strategy 1: Active Listening
• Give full attention: face speaker, maintain eye contact
• Reflect and clarify: paraphrase what you hear
• Show you care: nod, use encouraging words
Distribute the Active Listening Tips Handout. Model focusing on speaker, eye contact, and summarizing. Ask a volunteer to share and demonstrate.
Strategy 2: I-Statements
• Express your feelings without blaming
• Structure: “I feel ___ when ___ because ___.”
• Focus on your experience and needs
Explain structure of I-statements: “I feel… when… because… I need…” Model with a real example (e.g., group project conflict).
Strategies 3 & 4
Finding Common Ground:
• Identify shared interests or goals
• Emphasize what you agree on first
Compromise:
• Each side gives something up
• Aim for a win-win solution
Define both strategies and compare. Encourage students to spot when each is most useful.
Role-Play Practice
- Form groups of three: Person A, Person B, Mediator
- Choose a scenario from Conflict Resolution Scenario Cards
- Apply all four strategies to resolve the conflict
- Rotate roles and repeat
Explain role assignments (A, B, mediator), distribute scenario cards, and circulate to coach. Highlight use of sentence starters for support.
Reflection & Exit Ticket
• Use Reflection Journal Template
• Write the strategy you found most useful and why
• On a sticky note: one tip you’ll use in the future
Hand out journals. Encourage honest reflection and concrete examples. Collect journals and sticky-note exit tickets.
Next Steps
• Apply strategies in real situations
• Share what you learned with others
• Keep your Reflection Journal for future growth
• Seek help from teachers or counselors if needed
Wrap up by reminding students to practice these tools daily. Encourage them to share tips with family and friends.
Worksheet
Conflict Scenarios Worksheet
Use the scenarios below to practice conflict resolution strategies—active listening, I-statements, finding common ground, and compromise. Work with your group to answer each question and prepare for a role-play.
Scenario 1: Group Project Contribution
Student A: “You never help with the project. I ended up doing all the slides.”
Student B: “That’s not true—I gave you ideas. You just ignore me.”
- Identify the core conflict and list how each person might be feeling.
- Choose one strategy (Active Listening, I-Statements, Finding Common Ground, or Compromise) and explain why it would help.
- Write a brief dialogue (at least three lines) showing Person A using an I-statement and Person B responding with finding common ground.
Scenario 2: Library Computer Disagreement
Student C has two minutes left on the only computer; Student D needs to start an essay now.
- Describe the conflict and each person’s perspective.
- Select the strategy you would use first and explain your choice.
- Write a short role-play (Person C, Person D, and Mediator) demonstrating active listening and compromise.
Scenario 3: Class Fundraiser Plan
Student E wants to sell baked goods; Student F wants to organize a craft sale. They can’t agree on one idea.
- What is the disagreement? List both students’ needs.
- Identify which strategy would help find common ground or reach a compromise and explain.
- Script a dialogue (minimum three exchanges) where both sides propose a compromise and arrive at a win-win solution.
Use these exercises to guide your role-plays during class. Be prepared to switch roles and try different strategies for each scenario.
Reading
Active Listening Tips Handout
Active listening means fully focusing on the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully. When you practice active listening, you show respect, build trust, and help resolve conflicts more effectively.
Why Active Listening Matters
• Demonstrates you value the speaker’s perspective
• Reduces misunderstandings and tension
• Encourages honest, open communication
• Lays the foundation for finding common ground and compromise
Key Steps for Active Listening
- Give Full Attention
- Face the speaker and maintain eye contact.
- Put away distractions (phones, papers).
- Show You’re Listening
- Nod or give small verbal cues (“I see,” “Mm-hm”).
- Use open body language (lean slightly forward).
- Reflect and Clarify
- Paraphrase: “So what I hear you saying is….”
- Ask clarifying questions: “Can you explain more about…?”
- Avoid Judging or Interrupting
- Let the speaker finish before responding.
- Hold off on forming counterarguments while they talk.
- Respond with Empathy
- Acknowledge feelings: “It sounds like you felt frustrated when….”
- Offer support: “I understand why that upset you.”
Practice Activity
With a partner, take turns being Speaker and Listener.
- Speaker shares a recent disagreement or challenge.
- Listener follows the steps above and then summarizes what they heard.
- Switch roles.
After both rounds, reflect below:
What was the hardest part of active listening?
How did it feel when someone truly listened to you?
One thing I will do differently next time I listen:
Journal
Reflection Journal Template
Date: ____________________
Name: ____________________
1. Which conflict resolution strategy did you find most useful today? Why?
2. Describe a real-life situation (at school, home, or with friends) where you could apply this strategy. What would you say or do?
3. What challenges might you face when using this strategy in the future? How will you overcome those challenges?
4. How did practicing these strategies change the way you think about resolving conflicts?
5. Set one personal goal for using conflict resolution strategies this week. Be specific (when, where, with whom).
Optional Reflection:
• How did you feel when you took on the role of mediator?
• Which step of Active Listening Tips Handout will you focus on improving?