Peaceful Problem Solvers

Tierney Leeper

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Peaceful Problem Solvers Lesson Plan

Students will develop problem-solving and conflict resolution skills through interactive discussions and activities, empowering them to navigate everyday challenges effectively.

This lesson builds critical social-emotional skills that help students express their feelings, understand others, and create a positive classroom environment.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Engage through interactive storytelling and role-play.

Materials

Peaceful Problem Solvers Lesson Plan, Visual aids (emotion cards, scenario images), and Small group role-play props

Prep

Pre-Lesson Preparation

5 minutes

Review the Peaceful Problem Solvers Lesson Plan to familiarize with objectives and activities.
Gather visual aids such as emotion cards and scenario images.
Prepare props for role-play activities.
Set up the classroom seating in a circle to encourage discussion.

Step 1

Introduction and Story Time

10 minutes

Begin with a short story highlighting a common problem and conflict situation.
Discuss the story with the class, asking guiding questions to help students identify the problem and potential solutions.
Introduce key vocabulary: problem, conflict, solution, feelings.

Step 2

Interactive Role Play

10 minutes

Divide students into small groups.
Provide each group with a simple scenario involving a conflict (e.g., sharing toys, taking turns in a game).
Have students act out their scenario and brainstorm solutions together.
Encourage students to use words that express how they felt and how to solve the problem.

Step 3

Group Discussion and Reflection

5 minutes

Bring the class back together in a circle.
Ask each group to share one solution they came up with during role-play.
Reinforce the importance of listening and understanding others’ feelings.
Summarize key points about problem-solving and conflict resolution.

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Slide Deck

Peaceful Problem Solvers

Learning to solve problems and resolve conflicts with kindness.

Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Share the overall goal: learning about problem solving and conflict resolution.

Story Time

Listen to the story and discuss: What was the problem? What could have been done differently?

Begin with storytelling. Choose a story that involves a simple conflict, like sharing toys or turn-taking. Ask guiding questions afterward.

Key Vocabulary

Problem | Conflict | Solution | Feelings

Review important vocabulary with the class. Use visual aids (emotion cards, images) to illustrate each word.

Interactive Role Play

Act out a conflict scenario. Discuss possible solutions as a group.

Divide students into small groups and assign role play scenarios. Explain the conflict scenario and have students practice acting it out.

Group Discussion & Reflection

What did we learn about solving problems and resolving conflicts?

Gather students back together. Encourage groups to share their role play experience and discuss one solution each.

Activity

Peaceful Problem Solvers Activity

Overview

In this activity, students will engage in role-play scenarios specifically designed to practice problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. They will work in small groups, each receiving a scenario that reflects common classroom or playground conflicts, such as sharing toys or deciding on turns in a game. The aim is to help first graders develop effective communication and cooperative skills while understanding the importance of empathy and creative problem-solving.

Activity Instructions

1. Introduction to the Activity (5 minutes)

Gather students in a circle and briefly explain the purpose of the role-play activity. Emphasize that the focus is on working together to solve a problem when conflicts arise.
Review key vocabulary:
- Problem: Something that needs to be fixed.
- Conflict: A situation where people disagree or have a problem with one another.
- Solution: A way to fix the problem.
- Feelings: Emotions we experience in different situations.

2. Scenario Distribution and Group Work (10 minutes)

Divide students into small groups (suggested groups of 3-4 students each).
Give each group a scenario card that describes a simple conflict. Example scenario: "Two friends want to play with the same toy at the same time."
Encourage the groups to discuss the scenario and decide on a role-play approach. They should determine:
- Who will act in the conflict?
- What the problem is in the scenario?
- How can they use words to express their feelings and suggest solutions?

3. Role Play and Brainstorming (10 minutes)

Have each group perform their role play in front of the class or in their group room.
After the role play, ask the group to explain the following:
- What was the conflict in your scenario?
- What solution did you come up with?
- How did you or could you have communicated your feelings?

4. Whole-Class Discussion and Reflection (5 minutes)

Bring everyone back together and invite each group to share one key solution or idea from their role-play.
Ask reflective questions such as:
- What did you learn about resolving conflicts?
- Why is it important to use kind words when solving a problem?
Summarize the activity by emphasizing that everyday conflicts can be resolved through listening, understanding, and working together.

Follow-Up Points

Celebrate every effort: Reinforce that trying to solve a problem, even if the first idea doesn’t work perfectly, is a great step toward learning.
Role of empathy: Emphasize that understanding and recognizing others' feelings is a crucial part of conflict resolution.
Reinforce vocabulary: Refer back to the key words (problem, conflict, solution, feelings) during future activities to solidify understanding.

This activity is aligned with the overall lesson plan Peaceful Problem Solvers Lesson Plan and complements the Peaceful Problem Solvers Slides used during the lesson.

Happy role-playing, and let's be peaceful problem solvers!