How to Write a Conflict Resolution Lesson Plan

Conflict resolution is a trend to which students need to become familiar. It is important that students are explictly taught how to deal with life and its obstacles. They should understand the possible impact that alternative dispute resolution may have in their lives.

PURPOSE: This lesson encourages students to think of different ways in which they may solve their problems.

OBJECTIVES: Students will identify the problem, the choices and the consequences both positive and negative. The students will work together to make a group decision and discuss it as a class.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:

A. Inform students that they aregoing to make a decision by climbing the "Decision Mountain." By climbing
the mountain they will learn the steps involved in decision making, while examining in further detail the problem presented in their story. Have students break into groups of five or six.
B. Ask students to read the story to their group and identify the problem.
At the foot of the mountain, write the problem.
1. Ask students to identify possible options for resolving the problem.List negative and positive options.
2. Next, have the class identify the consequence (positive or negative)for the specific option. List the consequences with the corresponding option number.
3. Review and discuss information. Ask students to decide which options and corresponding consequences are best. Have students write their group decision at the top of the mountain.
C. Ask students to share their story with the class. Discuss problems and decisions. Discuss how decisions were made and why it solves the problem.

STORIES

1. Isabel is not doing very well in her English class. Whether she passes or not depends on her final written project. Even though she has always tried hard, she hasn't been able to get very good grades. She finds
the paper that her brother did on the topic three years ago and this paper received an "A." What do you think she will do?

2. You forgot your physical science assignment. Today is the day when everyone is supposed to bring some object to show to the class. The object should be something that has to do with physics. As you
start out the door of the house, you remember your sister's ball. Great idea-- you could take the collection to school for science class. Suddenly, you remember how your sister feels about the collection. She always says, "I'll never take this collection to school because I don't want to lose or damage it." Since she is already on her way to school, you can't ask permission to take the collection. But the collection is the
perfect thing for the assignment.

3. The children in a sixth grade class were having a special treat. A collector of rare coins was visiting and he brought with him some ancient coins. But before he could start his program, Mrs. Dunn had to take him down the meet the principal. The collector asked that no one touch his belongings, and he put a student,
Jane in charge, saying that if anyone touched his things, he would call off his visit. Shortly after Mrs. Dunn and the collector left, a few children couldn't resist touching the rare coins. When the collector and Mrs. Dunn returned, Jane did not know what to do.

4. The Smith's new neighbors are coming unexpectedly to visit the Smith's in two hours. The Smith children, Bob and Sally, are at home watching their favorite television show with their best friends. Mr. Smith, wanting
to make a good impression on the soon to arrive guests and feeling anxious about meeting new people, immediately turned off the television and told the children to clean the house. When Bob began to question his father, Mr. Smith got even angrier, and Sally embarrassed by her father's tone of voice, ran to her room crying.

5. Mike brought a IPod to school that he had just received as a birthday gift the night before. All of his friends wanted to have a turn playing the walkman. When it was James' turn, he accidentally broke off one of the knobs. Mike saw this happen and got really mad at James.