Lesson Name

Conflict Webs

Grade Band

Middle School (6-8)

High School (9-12)

CASEL Core Competencies

• Relationship skills

• Responsible decision-making

• Self-awareness

• Self-management

• Social awareness

Common Core ELA-Literacy Standards

• Speaking and listening

• Reading

• Writing

NCSS Social Studies Themes

• Culture

• Individuals, groups, and institutions

• Global connections

• Civic ideals and practices

• Individual development and identity

45 minutes

Students will:

• Learn that both positive and negative outcomes can emerge from a conflict experience.

• Create a “Conflict Web” showing that conflict can create both positive and negative experiences.

• Conflict: A serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one.

• Positive Outcomes: Benefits or advantageous results arising from an event or action.

• Negative Outcomes: Detrimental or harmful results arising from an event or action.

Say: We are going to brainstorm words (including emotions, ideas,
and questions) that come to mind when thinking about conflict. To help
us share and reflect on our ideas, we will create conflict webs like
this one I created earlier. Show students your example Conflict Web.

Say: One person in each group should begin by writing the word
“conflict” at the center of your paper. Each group member should then
take turns adding words to paper around the word “conflict” until
members agree the group has no more words to add.

When the webs are complete, ask each group to identify the words they consider negative and connect those responses to the word “Conflict” in the center with a red marker. Next, have them connect words they consider positive with a green marker.

Note to the teacher: While most groups will gravitate towards
negative associations with conflict, this is an appropriate time to
elevate that conflict, as a normal part of living in a diverse world,
can encompass both negative and positive attributes. While negative
outcomes might be identified more easily, it is important to understand
both types of experiences because we can use this understanding to
transform the experience of a conflict into a learning opportunity. If
all the responses on a group’s web are negative, encourage them to
expand their responses. Consider using the “10 Benefits of Conflict”
list presented in this lesson’s Taking Informed Action activity as
suggestions.

Taking Informed Action:

• The
  10 Benefits of Conflict, a short article in Entrepreneur.com, describes the different benefits of conflict. Read the article and then use the list below as a starting point to describe why conflict can be helpful in a classroom, in sports, or in a community:

1. Opens our eyes to new ideas

2. Gives us an opportunity to verbalize our needs

3. Teaches us flexibility

4. Teaches us to listen

5. Teaches us patterns of behavior

6. Leads to solutions

7. Les us practice communication skills

8. Helps us to set limits

9. Helps us control emotions

10. Allows us to differentiate ourselves from others