Conflict Resolution and Mediation
Description of the Lesson
The objective of Conflict Resolution and Mediation is to teach middle school students proper ways to handle conflict. The lesson stresses the importance of peer helpers and problem-solving to help make the school a safe and comfortable place to be. The lesson should take approximately 45-50 minutes to complete.
Begin by discussing the importance of mediators feeling good about themselves so that they can be calming to others who are experiencing conflict.
Prepare and discuss handout: (5 min.)
Three Ways to Handle Conflict
1. No Problem:
Avoidance-Denial
2. Fight:
Confrontation
3. Talk and Find a Solution Good for Both:
Problem Solving
Prepare and discuss handout: (5 min.)
A CONFLICT MANAGERÉ
IS NOT
q A disciplinarian or cop
q A person who interrupts or focuses attention
On himself/herself
q A judge or person who judges
q A person who gives advice
q A person who doesnŐt maintain confidentiality
q A good listener
q A good team member
q A fair (neutral) person
q A helper
q A dependable person
q A person you can trust
Prepare and discuss handout: (5-10 min.)
MEDIATION IS:
q A SKILL THAT CAN BE LEARNED
q A NEUTRAL PROCESS
q FUTURE ORIENTED
q AN EMPOWERING PROCESS
q A REFRAMING
q A SIMPLE PROCESS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY EASY
q IS CONFIDENTIAL
Activity: (25-30 min.)
Split up into groups of three.
Give each group different situation to role play.
Some examples could include:
q Joey calls Billy a bad name. What would you do as mediator?
q You hear Katie tell Julie a rumor that could hurt someone else. What should you do?
q Jonie is pressuring Suzie to smoke. What do you do?
q Jimmy is bullying and teasing Tom. What should you do?
Discuss how the students felt when role playing the situations.
Ask for any questions.
Review the importance of conflict mediation.
Conflict Resolution and Mediation relates to Minnesota Graduation Standard Number 7 (People and Cultures). Specifically, the lesson addresses subpart 6: Institutions and Traditions in Society by learning to interact among individuals, groups, and institutions in society through the peer mediation activities. The lesson also relates to subpart 7: Community Interaction, by the students learning how to resolve conflict in organizations and communities.
This lesson is reflective of the Personal/Social and Educational developmental domains of the Minnesota School CounselorsŐ Model of Developmental Guidance and Counseling. The lesson relates to the Personal/Social domain because children learn how to interact positively with others and to help others. It relates to the Educational domain because children learn conflict resolution skills and the definition of mediation.
Additionally, Conflict Resolution and Mediation relates to the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee Standards for middle/junior high schools in the development of Self-knowledge, Skills to interact with others, and the Knowledge of the influence of a positive self-concept. The students develop self-knowledge through thinking about themselves as peer mediators. They learn skills to interact with others through the role playing activities and the knowledge of the influence of a positive self-concept through the introduction of the lesson.
All materials were obtained through the organization ECSU, which is no longer in existence.