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lenny

Words that Win

cgoodreau

Tier 2
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Words That Win Lesson Plan

Students will learn and practice effective communication strategies—using “I” statements and active listening—to resolve peer conflicts through guided discussion and role-plays.

Teaching effective communication empowers students to manage and resolve conflicts constructively, fostering a positive classroom culture and stronger peer relationships.

Audience

6th Grade Middle School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, modeling, and role-play practice

Materials

Communication Strategies Handout, Peer Conflict Scenario Cards, Role-Play Reflection Worksheet, Chart Paper and Markers, Timer or Clock, and Sticky Notes

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Print enough copies of the Communication Strategies Handout and the Role-Play Reflection Worksheet for each student.
  • Assemble and shuffle the Peer Conflict Scenario Cards.
  • Post chart paper with headings “I Statements” and “Active Listening” at the front of the room.
  • Gather markers, sticky notes, and set a timer or ensure clock visibility.

Step 1

Introduction and Hook

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and explain today’s goal: resolving peer conflicts with respectful language.
  • Ask: “What makes a conversation feel fair or unfair?” Jot responses on sticky notes.
  • Review two key skills: using “I” statements and practicing active listening.

Step 2

Direct Instruction

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Communication Strategies Handout.
  • Model forming an “I” statement: “I feel __ when __, because __, and I would like __.”
  • Demonstrate active listening: maintain eye contact, nod, and paraphrase.
  • Record examples under chart headings: “I Statements” and “Active Listening.”

Step 3

Guided Role-Play

10 minutes

  • Divide students into pairs and assign each a Peer Conflict Scenario Card.
  • In each pair, Student A reads the scenario; Student B practices an “I” statement and active listening response.
  • After 3 minutes, students switch roles with a new scenario.
  • Circulate to provide prompts, model phrasing, and support as needed.

Step 4

Reflection and Debrief

5 minutes

  • Hand out the Role-Play Reflection Worksheet.
  • Students individually answer:
    • Which strategy helped most?
    • How will you use this in future conflicts?
  • Invite a few volunteers to share reflections with the group.

Step 5

Differentiation and Tier 2 Support

Throughout session

  • Keep groups small (3–4 students) to reduce anxiety and increase participation.
  • Provide sentence starters on sticky notes for students needing extra support.
  • Pair students strategically: one with more confidence, one who needs modeling.
  • Use visual supports: chart paper examples and handouts.
  • Offer extra modeling and check for understanding one-on-one as you circulate.
lenny

Slide Deck

Words That Win

Effective Communication and Peer Conflict
Tier 2 Group • 6th Grade • 30 Minutes

Welcome students. Introduce the session topic and goals. Briefly explain how effective communication can resolve conflicts.

Session Objectives

• Learn and practice “I” statements
• Master active listening skills
• Apply strategies in role-plays
• Reflect on how to use these skills in future conflicts

Read through the objectives aloud and emphasize how each objective will help them in real conflict situations.

Key Communication Strategies

  1. “I” Statements
  2. Active Listening

Introduce the two key strategies. Ask students if they’ve heard of these before.

Using “I” Statements

Structure:
• I feel ___
• when ___
• because ___
• I would like ___

Purpose: Express feelings without blaming

Explain the structure of an “I” statement step by step and model one. Encourage students to identify each part.

Active Listening

• Maintain eye contact
• Nod and show you’re attentive
• Paraphrase what you’ve heard
• Ask clarifying questions

Describe each listening skill and model. Invite a volunteer to practice a paraphrase.

Examples in Action

Conflict: "You never pass the ball!"
• I Statement: “I feel frustrated when I don’t get the ball because I want to help the team. I would like you to pass more.”

Listening Response:
• “So you feel left out when you don’t get the ball, and you’d like more chances—did I get that right?”

Show examples on the chart paper. Ask students to suggest improvements.

Guided Role-Play

  1. Pair up and pick a Peer Conflict Scenario Card
  2. Student A reads scenario; Student B uses an “I” statement plus active listening
  3. Switch roles after 3 minutes
  4. Teacher circulates to support and model

Explain the role-play process. Remind students to use their handouts and stick to the structure.

Reflection and Debrief

Complete the Role-Play Reflection Worksheet:
• Which strategy helped most?
• How will you use this in future conflicts?

Volunteers share one key takeaway.

Distribute reflection worksheets and encourage honest answers. Prompt volunteers to share.

Tier 2 Supports

• Small groups to reduce anxiety
• Sentence starters on sticky notes
• Strategic pairing (peer modeling)
• Visual aids and one-on-one check-ins

Highlight how supports will help everyone succeed. Encourage students to ask for these supports anytime.

lenny

Worksheet

Communication Strategies Handout

1. Using “I” Statements

Structure:
• I feel ___
• when ___
• because ___
• I would like ___

Example:
“I feel upset when you borrow my things without asking because I care about my personal items. I would like you to ask permission first.”

Your Turn: Write an “I” statement for this scenario:
“Your classmate took credit for an idea you shared in the group.”







2. Active Listening

Key Skills:
• Maintain eye contact
• Nod or give other nonverbal cues
• Paraphrase what you heard
• Ask clarifying questions

Example:
“So you felt disappointed when your idea wasn’t recognized, and you’d like me to acknowledge your contribution—did I get that right?”

Your Turn: Respond to this statement with active listening:
“I feel frustrated when I’m interrupted because I lose my train of thought.”







3. Putting It Together

In your next role-play, one partner uses an “I” statement and the other practices active listening. Afterward, reflect on these questions:

  1. What was the easiest part?
  2. What felt most challenging?
  3. How will these skills help you in real conflicts?











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lenny

Activity

Peer Conflict Scenario Cards

Use these cards for your Guided Role-Play activity. Each pair draws one card and practices using an “I” statement and active listening.

  1. Lost and Borrowed
    “Someone borrowed your favorite pen without asking and now it’s lost.”







  2. Group Project Partner
    “Your partner in the group project didn’t complete their part, and you ended up doing all the work.”







  3. Class Discussion Interruptions
    “A classmate keeps interrupting you whenever it’s your turn to share in class.”







  4. Spreading Rumors
    “You heard that a friend is telling others you said something mean about them, but you didn’t.”







  5. Lunch Seat Dilemma
    “Two friends both want to sit next to you at lunch, but there’s only one seat left.”







  6. Recess Ball Game
    “During recess, another student won’t share the ball when it’s your turn to play.”







  7. Art Class Critique
    “In art class, a classmate criticizes your drawing in front of everyone.”







  8. Accusation of Cheating
    “A teammate accuses you of cheating during a game even though you didn’t.”







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lenny

Worksheet

Role-Play Reflection Worksheet

Use this worksheet to reflect on your guided role-play activity.

  1. Which strategy helped you the most ("I" statements or active listening)? Why?






  1. Write the “I” statement you used during your role-play.






  1. Write the active listening response you heard or practiced (include paraphrase or question).






  1. What part of the role-play felt easiest for you?






  1. What part felt most challenging, and how did you handle it?






  1. How will you use these communication skills in real-life conflicts?






  1. My personal goal for the next time I use these strategies is:






  1. One key takeaway from today’s session:






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lenny

Worksheet

Communication Practice Worksheet

Part 1: Practice with “I” Statements and Active Listening

Use the strategies from the Communication Strategies Handout as you respond.

  1. Scenario: Your group project partner consistently shows up late, making you wait before you can start working.

a. I Statement:






b. Active Listening Response (if you were the partner hearing this):






  1. Scenario: A classmate made a joke about your suggestion during a class discussion, and it embarrassed you.

a. I Statement:






b. Active Listening Response (if you were the classmate):






  1. Scenario: Someone took your breakfast from the cafeteria counter because they thought it was theirs.

a. I Statement:






b. Active Listening Response (if you were the student who took the breakfast):






  1. Scenario: During PE, a teammate refuses to pass you the ball, and you feel left out of the game.

a. I Statement:






b. Active Listening Response (if you were the teammate):






Part 2: Self-Reflection

  1. Which strategy did you find easiest to use? Why?






  2. Which strategy did you find most challenging? Why?






  3. How will you apply these skills in real-life conflicts outside of class?






  4. My personal goal for improving my communication skills is:






lenny
lenny