Lesson Plan
Peaceful Problem Solving Lesson Plan
Students will learn to resolve conflicts by practicing empathy, active listening, and collaborative solutions using tiered supports: whole-class instruction (Tier 1) and targeted individual coaching (Tier 3).
Differentiated support ensures all learners gain conflict-resolution skills: Tier 1 introduces strategies to everyone, while Tier 3 offers one-on-one scaffolding for students needing extra guidance. This builds empathy and reduces classroom tensions.
Audience
5th Grade (Tier 1 whole class & Tier 3 individual)
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Tiered supports: whole-class instruction and individual coaching
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Print and cut out the Conflict Resolution Scenario Cards.
- Display the Emotion Chart Poster in a visible area.
- Copy the Empathy Role-Play Worksheet for each student.
- Distribute the Reflection Journal Template and have journals ready.
- Review guidance for providing Tier 3 individual support during activities.
Step 1
Introduction & Objective Review
5 minutes
- Welcome all students and explain why peaceful problem solving matters for our classroom community.
- Share today’s goals: understanding empathy, practicing active listening, and finding collaborative solutions.
- Describe supports: whole-class instruction (Tier 1) and individual coaching opportunities (Tier 3).
Step 2
Discuss Empathy & Active Listening
8 minutes
- Use the Emotion Chart Poster to identify and name common feelings.
- Facilitate a whole-class conversation: What does empathy look like? Why is it important to listen closely?
- Model active listening with a volunteer, demonstrating eye contact, paraphrasing, and asking follow-up questions.
Step 3
Role-Play Scenarios & Tier 3 Support
12 minutes
- Pair up students or form small groups for Tier 1 role-play; give each pair/group a Conflict Resolution Scenario Card.
- Instruct all students to use the Empathy Role-Play Worksheet as a guide.
- Circulate and identify learners needing extra help; pull aside individuals for Tier 3 coaching, helping them break down each worksheet step with scaffolded prompts and check understanding.
Step 4
Reflect & Share
5 minutes
- Ask students to complete the Reflection Journal Template, writing one strategy they plan to use.
- Invite volunteers to share their insights and any solutions they discussed.
- Reinforce positive examples and remind everyone that they can request individual support anytime.
Slide Deck
Peaceful Problem Solving
A 30-minute lesson for 5th graders on empathy, active listening, and collaborative solutions.
Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and explain that today’s lesson will teach strategies to handle disagreements calmly and kindly. Highlight that these skills help build better friendships.
Today’s Objectives
- Understand empathy and why it matters
- Practice active listening skills
- Collaborate to solve conflicts peacefully
Point to each objective as you read. Ask students if they’ve ever had an argument and what helped them calm down.
What Is Empathy?
Empathy is putting yourself in someone else’s shoes to understand their feelings.
Use the Emotion Chart Poster to identify emotions.
Explain that empathy means imagining how someone else feels. Show the Emotion Chart Poster and walk through a few emotions.
Active Listening
- Look at the speaker (eye contact)
- Repeat or paraphrase what you heard
- Ask questions to clarify understanding
Define each bullet. Invite a volunteer to share something while you demonstrate eye contact and paraphrasing.
Role-Play Activity
- Form groups of 3–4 students
- Get Conflict Resolution Scenario Cards
- Use the Empathy Role-Play Worksheet to guide your discussion
Explain the group setup and pass out materials. Remind students to take turns speaking and listening.
Sample Conflict Scenarios
- Two friends both want to be team captain and feel upset when chosen differently.
- A classmate feels left out during recess and doesn’t know how to join the game.
Read these examples aloud. Encourage groups to come up with their own details and solutions for each scenario.
Reflect & Share
- Use the Reflection Journal Template to write one strategy you’ll try
- Share your idea with your group or the class
Distribute journals and templates. Give students time to write, then invite volunteers to share one strategy with the class.
Keep Practicing
Remember: empathy + active listening = better solutions. Use these skills every day to solve conflicts peacefully.
Praise their thoughtful ideas. Encourage students to practice these skills whenever a conflict arises and remind them you’re available for help.
Activity
Emotion Chart Poster
Use this chart to identify and share your feelings during discussions.
| Emotion | Emoji | Words That Describe It |
|---|---|---|
| Happy | 😊 | joyful, excited, proud |
| Sad | 😢 | lonely, disappointed, gloomy |
| Angry | 😠 | frustrated, mad, annoyed |
| Scared | 😨 | nervous, worried, afraid |
| Surprised | 😲 | shocked, amazed, startled |
| Calm | 😌 | relaxed, peaceful, content |
Tips:
- Point to the emoji that matches how you feel.
- Use the descriptive words to explain your feelings.
- Remember: noticing emotions helps us practice empathy and solve conflicts peacefully!
Activity
Conflict Resolution Scenario Cards
Use these cards in the role-play activity. Each group picks one card and uses the Empathy Role-Play Worksheet to guide their discussion:
Scenario 1: The Borrowed Book
Sara lends a book to Max, but he accidentally tears a page. Now Sara is upset and Max feels guilty.
Scenario 2: Left Out at Recess
A group of friends is playing a game at recess. Jamie wants to join but no one invites him.
Scenario 3: Team Captain Disagreement
Lily and Noah both want to be captain of the basketball team and start arguing about who is better.
Scenario 4: The Lost Pencil
Ethan borrows Zoe’s pencil and loses it. Zoe is frustrated and Ethan feels embarrassed.
Scenario 5: Group Project Roles
In a science project, Alex and Mia both want to draw the poster. They can’t decide who gets that part.
Scenario 6: Interrupted Presentation
During class presentations, Olivia keeps talking to her friend and distracts him. He gets annoyed.
Scenario 7: Playground Push
Tyler accidentally bumps into Emma and knocks her book bag, spilling supplies. Emma is angry.
Scenario 8: Homework Copying
Jordan asks Riley if he can copy her homework answers. Riley isn’t sure it’s fair.
Worksheet
Empathy Role-Play Worksheet
Use this worksheet to guide your group through a peaceful problem-solving role-play. Choose a card from the Conflict Resolution Scenario Cards and record which one you’re using:
Scenario Number or Title: ____________________________
1. Describe the Conflict
Who is involved and what happened?
2. Identify Feelings
– Person A (Who raised the concern): What feelings might they have?
– Person B (Who is responding): What feelings might they have?
Use the Emotion Chart Poster to choose words that match their feelings.
3. Show Empathy
Write one statement that shows you understand how the other person feels.
(“I feel ___ when __ because ___.”)
4. Practice Active Listening
Write one question you could ask to learn more and show you’re listening.
(e.g., “Can you tell me more about how you felt when…?”)
5. Brainstorm Solutions
List two possible ways to solve this conflict:
• Solution A:
• Solution B:
6. Choose & Plan
Which solution will your group try? Why?
Who will do what next?
• Person A will: __________________________
• Person B will: __________________________
• By when (time or day): __________________
Tip: Use respectful tone, clear words, and check in with each other. After role-play, discuss what went well and what you’d try differently next time.
Journal
Reflection Journal Template
Use this journal to think about what you learned during our Peaceful Problem Solving session. Answer each prompt thoughtfully and use the space provided.
Date: ____________________________
1. Which conflict scenario did your group work on? Describe it briefly.
2. What is one problem-solving strategy (empathy or active listening) you plan to use next time? Why did you choose it?
3. How can showing empathy help you understand others’ feelings and solve conflicts? Give an example of how you might say, “I feel ___ when ___ because ___.”
4. Describe a time this week when you will practice active listening in class or at home. What question will you ask to show you’re truly listening?
5. What question or idea do you still have about solving conflicts peacefully?
Tip: Keep this journal in your backpack or binder. Review your entry before a challenge, and update it whenever you try a new strategy!
Warm Up
Feelings Check-In
A quick 5-minute warm-up to gauge how everyone is feeling and set the tone for empathy.
Time: 5 minutes
Materials: Emotion Chart Poster, sticky notes or index cards (optional)
Instructions
- Gather in a circle or at your seats.
- Point to the Emotion Chart Poster. Ask students to silently choose the emoji/feeling that best matches how they feel right now.
- Go around and have each student share:
- Their chosen emotion (e.g., “I feel ___.”)
- One word why they feel that way (e.g., “because ___”).
- (Optional) Students can jot their emotion and sentence on a sticky note or index card and place it on a Feelings Board or the front wall.
Reflection Prompt
After sharing, invite students to write a brief response in their reflection journals (or on a provided sheet):
I feel ______________ because ____________________.
Tip: Encourage listening without interrupting. This check-in builds classroom community and primes us for today’s lesson on empathy and problem solving.
Cool Down
Peaceful Exit Ticket
Use this quick exit ticket to reflect on today’s Peaceful Problem Solving lesson.
1. One strategy I learned for solving conflicts peacefully:
2. How I will show empathy or active listening next time
(Use the sentence frame: “I will ___ when ___ because ___.”):
3. One question I still have about resolving conflicts:
Tip: For a deeper reflection, you can use the Reflection Journal Template.