Introduction
Conflict is a natural part of human interaction, and it can occur at any age, including in elementary school. Teaching students how to resolve a conflict with a friend not only helps them build better relationships but also fosters essential life skills like empathy, problem-solving, and communication. This blog post explores why conflicts are common in elementary settings and provides a detailed lesson plan featuring an engaging online board game called “Solving Problems with Friends.”
Understanding Conflicts in Elementary School
Conflicts among elementary students are not unusual. As children interact with their peers, they bring different personalities, preferences, and perspectives into their relationships. Whether it’s over toys, turn-taking, or differing opinions, conflicts are an inevitable part of social interactions. However, these early experiences are crucial for developing conflict resolution skills that will benefit students throughout their lives.
Elementary-aged children are still learning how to manage their emotions and communicate effectively. They may struggle with expressing their feelings constructively or understanding others’ viewpoints. By addressing conflicts constructively and teaching problem-solving strategies, educators can help students navigate these challenges and build healthier relationships.
Lesson Plan: How to Resolve Conflict with a Friend
Objective
Students will learn how to resolve conflicts with friends by identifying the problem, understanding the actions and consequences, and assessing potential solutions. The game will help them develop critical thinking and empathy skills.
Materials Needed
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Computers or tablets with internet access
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Projector and screen (optional, for group instruction)
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Printed game instructions (optional)
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Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
Introduction (10 min)
Begin by discussing with the students what conflict is and why it happens. Ask them if they’ve ever had a disagreement with a friend and how it made them feel. Emphasize that conflicts are normal and can be resolved with the right approach. Then introduce the online board game “Solving Problems with Friends” as a tool to help them practice resolving conflicts. Explain that the game will guide them through different scenarios and help them think about how to address problems with friends.
Activity: How to Resolve Conflict with a Friend (30-40 minutes)
Provide an overview of the game and explain that “Solving Problems with Friends” is an online board game where students navigate through different scenarios related to conflicts with peers. The goal is to determine the severity of the problem, understand the actions and consequences, and evaluate possible solutions. The game can be played individually or in teams.
Divide the students into small groups or let them play individually based on available resources. Provide each group or individual with a computer or tablet that has the game loaded. If necessary, give a brief demonstration on how to navigate and play the game.
Your students will engage with various scenarios that illustrate common conflicts among friends. For example,
- Tia asked to borrow Paige’s phone to call her mom. She accidentally dropped it, and now it won’t turn on.
- Angelina is hanging out with a new group of friends at the mall. Her friends begin stealing bracelets from a store. Angelina feels pressured to steal one too because she wants her new friends to like her.
As students play, circulate around the room to offer support and answer questions. Encourage discussion among students, especially if they are playing in teams, to help them think through their responses and learn from each other. After completing the game, lead a class discussion where students share their experiences and insights. Focus on how they approached each scenario and what strategies they found most effective.
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Reflection and Discussion (15 minutes)
Recap the main points from the game. Write these key concepts on the whiteboard for visual reinforcement.
Ask students to reflect on the activity by answering questions such as:
- What was the most challenging scenario you encountered in the game?
- How did working with your group or thinking about the problem on your own help you find a solution?
- What strategies can you use in real life when you have a conflict with a friend?
Encourage students to think of a recent conflict they had with a friend and apply the strategies they learned from the game. Discuss how they might handle similar situations in the future using the problem-solving skills they practiced.
Conclusion
Teaching elementary students how to resolve conflicts with friends is an invaluable part of their social-emotional development. By using engaging activities like “Solving Problems with Friends,” we can provide students with practical tools and strategies for managing disagreements and building stronger, more positive relationships. This lesson plan should provide a comprehensive approach to teaching conflict resolution skills to elementary students, using an interactive online game to make the learning experience engaging and effective.
Sample Video
Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video lesson. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 14 days here!
Related Blog Posts:
Building Play Skills and Positive Teamwork in Elementary Students
Navigating Middle School Friendship: Handling Conflict with Friends
