Conflict Resolution

Debbie Haren Bob Goodale

Edscope , L.L.C. MSU Intern 2001-2002

www.lessonsplanspage.com Minnetonka Middle School East

Description of Lesson

On a poster board, write in bold letters the words “negotiation”, “mediation” and “objective” under the heading “conflict resolution”. Define and discuss how these words are all part of conflict resolution. Negotiation may be defined as using listening and speaking skills to reach a compromised resolution. Mediation may be defined as having a third party enter a conflict to establish ground rules and offer a neutral point of view to ultimately facilitate resolution. Objective may be defined as keeping site of the goal of resolution not of winning or losing. Then have students volunteer to describe conflicts they have recently had. Using student examples, discuss how each one of the conflicts could be handled by using appropriate negotiation and mediation. Ultimately, this lesson plan is designed to empower students to resolve conflicts on their own without the presence of a teacher. Explain how teachers and adults are not always available to settle conflicts. By having students act as mediators and negotiators, student conflicts can be handled more quickly and perhaps even more effectively. Time permitting, have students enact a mock conflict in which they exhibit the skills of negotiation and mediation. Finally, display the poster prominently in the room to serve as a reminder of how they can resolve the day to day conflicts of elementary school.

Connections to Related Standards, Competencies and Domains

This lesson plan certainly falls under the Personal/Social domain of guidance in its focus on understanding and improving conflict resolution. With regards to the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee, this lesson plan satisfies the guideline of skills to interact with others by teaching the necessary elements of effective conflict Resolution. In addition, this lesson relates to a subheading (understanding interactions between people) of the Graduation Standard, 7.

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