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Peaceful Problem Solvers

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Bahar Gençtürk

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Peaceful Problem Solvers Plan

Students will learn clear strategies—calm down, use kind words, listen, and find solutions—to resolve common peer conflicts; they will practice these skills through discussion and role-play.

Developing conflict-resolution skills builds empathy, communication, and self-regulation, creating a supportive classroom climate and stronger friendships.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Modeling, discussion, and role-play.

Materials

  • Conflict Scenario Cards, - Emotion Feeling Chart, - Problem-Solving Steps Poster, - Resolution Role-Play Guidelines, and - Conflict Reflection Worksheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Print and cut out the Conflict Scenario Cards.
  • Print and post the Problem-Solving Steps Poster near the calm-down corner.
  • Make copies of the Conflict Reflection Worksheet for each student.
  • Review the Emotion Feeling Chart and place it where all can see.
  • Read through the Resolution Role-Play Guidelines to guide student practice.

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and display the Emotion Feeling Chart.
  • Ask: “How do you feel when someone takes your toy or space?”
  • Encourage naming emotions and pointing them out on the chart.
  • Emphasize that recognizing feelings is the first conflict step.

Step 2

Introduce Problem-Solving Steps

7 minutes

  • Show the Problem-Solving Steps Poster.
  • Explain each step: 1) Calm down, 2) Use kind words, 3) Listen, 4) Find a solution.
  • Model a brief conflict scenario and talk through the steps aloud.
  • Invite students to ask questions about any step.

Step 3

Role-Play Activity

10 minutes

  • Pair students and give each pair a Conflict Scenario Card.
  • Share the Resolution Role-Play Guidelines.
  • Have pairs act out their scenario, practicing all four steps.
  • Circulate to offer feedback and praise positive efforts.

Step 4

Reflection and Cool-Down

8 minutes

  • Distribute the Conflict Reflection Worksheet.
  • Ask students to draw or write one step they found most helpful.
  • Invite a few volunteers to share their reflections.
  • Reinforce that these steps can help any future disagreement.
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Slide Deck

Peaceful Problem Solvers

Conflict Resolution Strategies for 2nd Graders
30-Minute Lesson – Tier 1 Classroom Session

Welcome everyone! Today we’re learning how to be Peaceful Problem Solvers. We’ll discover four simple steps to use when we have a disagreement with a friend. Encourage students to listen and have fun practicing together.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of today, students will:
• Recognize and name feelings
• Learn four steps to solve a conflict
• Practice solving problems with a partner
• Reflect on which step helps the most

Read the objectives aloud and explain that these are our goals for today’s lesson.

Step 1: Recognize Feelings

Refer to our Emotion Feeling Chart
• How do you feel when someone takes your toy?
• What does your face look like?
• Noticing feelings helps us stay calm

Display the Emotion Feeling Chart in front of the class.
Ask students to share times they’ve felt angry, sad, or frustrated, and point to the matching picture.

Four Problem-Solving Steps

  1. Calm Down – Take deep breaths or count to five.
  2. Use Kind Words – Speak politely and clearly.
  3. Listen – Hear the other person’s feelings.
  4. Find a Solution – Agree on what you’ll do next

Introduce the four steps while pointing to the poster.
Model each step with a pretend disagreement over a toy.

Practice with Scenarios

Pick a card from our Conflict Scenario Cards
• Each card shows a common disagreement
• Work with your partner to solve it
• Follow Steps 1–4 as you role-play

Explain that each pair will pick a card and role-play the scenario.
Remind them to follow all four steps as they act it out.

Role-Play Guidelines

• Speak loudly enough for your partner to hear
• Use only kind words and friendly body language
• Give everyone a turn to talk and listen
• Show how you calm down if you get upset
(See full Resolution Role-Play Guidelines)

Review the guidelines so students stay on track during role-play.
Emphasize respect and taking turns.

Reflection Time

Complete the Conflict Reflection Worksheet:
• Draw or write one step that helped you most
• Share your drawing with a friend or the class

Hand out the worksheet and ask students to draw or write their favorite step.
Invite volunteers to share their choice and why.

Great Job, Problem Solvers!

Remember:
• We all have feelings
• We can calm down and talk kindly
• Listening helps us understand each other
• Working together makes stronger friendships

Congratulate students on their hard work.
Encourage them to use these steps whenever a disagreement arises.

lenny

Activity

Conflict Scenario Cards

Use these cards during the Role-Play Activity to practice our four problem-solving steps. Each pair picks one card, reads the scenario, and acts it out using: 1) Calm Down, 2) Use Kind Words, 3) Listen, 4) Find a Solution.

1. Toy Truck Troubles
Alex is playing with a red truck when Jamie grabs it without asking. Jamie says, “It’s my turn now!”







2. Drawing Disagreement
Mia is coloring on her paper. Lucas takes the markers and starts drawing on the same sheet without permission.







3. Line Jumping
During recess, Zoe is waiting in line for the slide. Riley steps in front and says, “I’m next!”







4. Shared Chair Challenge
Jordan and Taylor both reach for the same chair at story time. Each says, “I was going to sit here first.”







5. Puzzle Piece Problem
During center time, Harper takes a puzzle piece that Casey needs to finish their picture.







6. Game Rules Mix-Up
Kai thinks the game ends when you reach 10 points, but Sam says it ends at 15. They both start arguing about who’s right.







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lenny

Activity

Emotion Feeling Chart

Use this chart to help us name our feelings and choose the best way to handle them.

FeelingEmojiWhat It Looks Like
Happy🙂Smiling, eyes bright
Sad😢Frown, maybe tears
Angry😠Furrowed brow, tight lips
Scared😨Wide eyes, shaking
Surprised😲Mouth open, eyebrows raised
Calm😌Relaxed face, gentle smile
Frustrated😣Tense face, scrunched eyes

When you notice how you feel, you can use our four steps:

  1. Calm Down 2) Use Kind Words 3) Listen 4) Find a Solution

Your Turn:

• Draw a face showing how you feel right now:





• Write the name of your feeling: ____________

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lenny

Activity

Problem-Solving Steps Poster

When we have a disagreement, we can work it out by following these four easy steps:

  1. Calm Down 🧘‍♂️
    • Take deep breaths or count to five until you feel more relaxed.
  2. Use Kind Words 💬
    • Speak politely, share how you feel, and say “please” or “thank you.”
  3. Listen 👂
    • Look at your friend, hear what they have to say, and show you understand.
  4. Find a Solution 🤝
    • Think of ideas together and agree on what you will do next.

Keep this poster in the calm-down corner as a reminder to be peaceful problem solvers!

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lenny

Activity

Resolution Role-Play Guidelines

Use these guidelines to help you stay on track and be respectful during your role-play.

• Stay in character: Act out your assigned roles and follow the scenario on your card.

• Use the four steps:

  1. Calm Down – Show deep breaths or counting.
  2. Use Kind Words – Speak politely and clearly.
  3. Listen – Look at your partner and let them finish speaking.
  4. Find a Solution – Work together to agree on next steps.

• Take turns talking: Let each person share their feelings and ideas without interrupting.

• Use friendly body language: Face your partner, keep a calm posture, and use gentle gestures.

• Speak loudly enough for your partner to hear, but keep your voice calm and kind.

• If you get stuck or upset, pause and take a deep breath before continuing.

• After the role-play, give each other positive feedback:
– What did your partner do well?
– Which problem-solving step did they use best?
 
 
Your Turn:

Pair up, pick a Conflict Scenario Card, and practice using these guidelines!

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lenny

Worksheet

Conflict Reflection Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: ___________

1. Which scenario did you practice?

Write the title or number of your card below:

______________________________________________


2. Which step helped you most? (Circle one)

Calm Down  Use Kind Words  Listen  Find a Solution


3. Why was this step helpful to you?

Write your answer in a few sentences:












4. Draw a picture of you using this step to solve a conflict:













5. How could you use this step another time?

Describe one situation and how you would use it:







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lenny