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Solving Problems Together

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Alex Carmichael

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Conflict Resolution Toolkit

Students will learn and practice simple strategies for resolving conflicts peacefully and fairly.

Learning to resolve conflicts constructively helps students build stronger friendships, reduce stress, and develop essential life skills for navigating disagreements.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, visual aids, and scenario-based practice.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Peaceful Problem Solvers Slide Deck, What Would You Do? Scenarios Discussion, My Problem-Solving Steps Worksheet, and Markers or pencils

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Peaceful Problem Solvers Slide Deck and become familiar with the content.
    * Print or prepare to display the What Would You Do? Scenarios Discussion prompts.
    * Print copies of the My Problem-Solving Steps Worksheet for each student.
    * Ensure whiteboard/projector and markers/pencils are ready.

Step 1

Warm-Up: What's a Conflict?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "What does it mean to have a disagreement or a conflict?" Allow a few students to share their ideas. Explain that conflicts are a normal part of life, and everyone has them.
    * Introduce the lesson by saying: "Today, we're going to learn how to be 'Peaceful Problem Solvers' and find ways to work through disagreements together!"

Step 2

Introduce Problem-Solving Steps

15 minutes

  • Display the Peaceful Problem Solvers Slide Deck (Slides 1-4).
    * Go through each step of the problem-solving process: Stop & Cool Down, Talk & Listen, Think of Solutions, Choose the Best Solution.
    * Use the teacher notes in the slide deck script to elaborate on each step and provide examples.
    * Encourage students to share their own experiences or ideas for each step.

Step 3

Practice with Scenarios

15 minutes

  • Transition to the What Would You Do? Scenarios Discussion.
    * Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
    * Provide each group with a scenario from the discussion guide or project it for the whole class.
    * Instruct groups to use the problem-solving steps they just learned to discuss how they would resolve the conflict in their scenario.
    * Circulate among groups, offering guidance and listening to their discussions.

Step 4

Share and Reflect

10 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
    * Ask each group to share one scenario and their proposed solution, highlighting which problem-solving steps they used.
    * Facilitate a brief class discussion on the different solutions and the importance of peaceful problem-solving.

Step 5

Individual Application: My Problem-Solving Steps

5 minutes

  • Distribute the My Problem-Solving Steps Worksheet.
    * Explain that students will complete the worksheet independently to reflect on what they've learned and how they can apply the steps in their own lives.
    * Collect worksheets for review.
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Slide Deck

Solving Problems Together!

It's normal to have disagreements. Let's learn how to solve them peacefully!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of disagreements. Explain that everyone has conflicts, and today we'll learn how to handle them. Ask a few students to share what a disagreement feels like. Emphasize that conflicts are normal, and we can learn to solve them peacefully.

Step 1: Stop & Cool Down

When you feel upset, take a moment to:

  • Take a deep breath.
  • Count to 10.
  • Give yourself space.

Introduce the first step: Stop and Cool Down. Explain why it's important not to react immediately when upset. Give examples of how to cool down (e.g., deep breaths, counting to ten). Ask students for other ideas.

Step 2: Talk & Listen

Share your feelings and listen to others:

  • Use "I feel..." statements.
  • Look at the person talking.
  • Don't interrupt.

Introduce the second step: Talk and Listen. Emphasize that both sides need to share their feelings and listen respectfully. Explain using "I feel" statements. Model how to listen without interrupting.

Step 3: Think of Solutions

Brainstorm different ways to solve the problem:

  • What are some fair ideas?
  • Can we share or take turns?
  • What would make both people happy?

Introduce the third step: Think of Solutions. Brainstorm different ideas for solving the problem. Encourage creativity and thinking of multiple options. Remind them that not all ideas will be perfect, but it's good to have choices.

Step 4: Choose the Best Solution

Pick an idea that is:

  • Fair to everyone.
  • Safe.
  • Makes things better.

Then, try it out!

Introduce the fourth step: Choose the Best Solution. Discuss how to pick a solution that is fair and makes everyone feel better. Explain that compromise is often key. Reiterate that practice makes perfect!

Your Conflict Resolution Toolkit

Remember the steps to be a Peaceful Problem Solver:

  1. Stop & Cool Down
  2. Talk & Listen
  3. Think of Solutions
  4. Choose the Best Solution

Practice makes perfect!

Summarize the four steps and encourage students to use them in their daily lives. Ask for one or two volunteers to quickly recap the steps. Transition to the group activity.

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Discussion

What Would You Do? Scenarios

Work with your group to discuss these situations. Use the Peaceful Problem-Solving Steps to find a fair solution!

Scenario 1: The Missing Crayon

Maria can't find her favorite blue crayon. She sees David using a blue crayon that looks just like hers! Maria feels angry because she thinks David took her crayon without asking.

  • What should Maria do first to cool down?
  • What could Maria say to David using "I feel..." statements?
  • What solutions could Maria and David think of together?
  • What would be the best solution?












Scenario 2: Playground Push

During recess, Alex accidentally bumps into Sam while running, and Sam falls down. Sam is upset and yells at Alex, even though it was an accident.

  • What should Sam do to cool down before talking to Alex?
  • What should Alex do or say to Sam?
  • How can they talk and listen to each other?
  • What are some ways they could solve this problem so both feel okay?












Scenario 3: Sharing Toys

Two friends, Lily and Noah, both want to play with the same new toy car. They start pulling the car in different directions, and neither of them is having fun.

  • How can Lily and Noah stop and cool down?
  • What could they say to each other to explain what they want?
  • What solutions could they come up with to share the car fairly?
  • Which solution is best for both of them?












Scenario 4: Different Game Ideas

It's game time, and Maya wants to play tag, but Ben wants to play hide-and-seek. They can't agree on what game to play and are starting to get frustrated with each other.

  • What steps can Maya and Ben take to calm down?
  • How can they listen to each other's game ideas without arguing?
  • What are some compromise solutions they could think of?
  • What's a fair way to decide which game to play, or how to play both?
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Worksheet

My Problem-Solving Steps

Name: ________________________
Date: ________________________

Imagine you have a disagreement with a friend or a classmate. Use the problem-solving steps we learned to think about how you would handle it.

My Problem:

What is a problem or disagreement you might have?







Step 1: Stop & Cool Down

What can you do to calm down when you feel upset during a disagreement?






Step 2: Talk & Listen

What would you say to the other person? How would you make sure you listen to them?







Step 3: Think of Solutions

List two different ways you and the other person could solve the problem:







Step 4: Choose the Best Solution

Which solution is the fairest and would make things better for everyone? Why?









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