This month, we will be going into classrooms focusing on the topic of conflict resolution.
Our school-wide learning target is: I can define conflict and different conflict styles and I can identify the steps to take to resolve conflict.
5th Grade: We will begin our lesson with an ice-breaker to get the students out of their seats and moving around; we will stand in a circle and each student will choose a penny stone from a bag. Students will then take turns, going around the circle, answering the question on the stone they chose. After the ice-breaker, we will discuss the meaning of conflict as well as conflict resolution skills. We will then play a game of telephone as an example of how rumors get started and how conflicts get escalated.
6th Grade: We will begin our lesson with the Step Circle activity; students will all stand in a circle and will step into the circle when a statement is read that they identify with (for example, 'I am an only child'). After this activity, we will the discuss the meaning of conflict as well as conflict resolution skills. The students will then engage in the Apple Argument; each student will draw an Apple position and, using their conflict resolution skills, argue with another student as to which person should get the apple.
7th Grade: We will begin our lesson by completing a conflict flowchart as a class; this flowchart visually shows students when to include an adult in their conflict and when they should try to resolve it on their own. We will then discuss the meaning of conflict as well as conflict resolution skills. The students will then engage in the Conflict Style activity. During this activity, students will go to one of five areas in the room and attempt to solve a conflict using only one type of conflict style (for example, avoidance). This activity demonstrates the type of conflict styles as well as the fact that most people will use more than one style depending on the situation.
8th Grade: We will begin our lesson by engaging in the Conflict Style activity. During this activity, students will go to one of five areas in the room and attempt to solve a conflict using only one type of conflict style (for example, avoidance). This activity demonstrates the type of conflict styles as well as the fact that most people will use more than one style depending on the situation. After this activity, we will the discuss the meaning of conflict as well as conflict resolution skills. The students will then engage in the Apple Argument; each student will draw an Apple position and, using their conflict resolution skills, argue with another student as to which person should get the apple. Students will then engage in the Number Line activity in which they will hear statements read aloud and decide if they agree, disagree, or are neutral with the statement. Students will then have the opportunity to discuss their position with other students using the conflict resolution skills.
