conflict resolution outline

Conflict Resolution 7th Grade 1

Life Savers Group Outline

5 sessions (one per week)

Week 1: Introductory Session Confidentiality Establish rules for group Ready Ruler Pretest “What’s Your Starting Point?” Activity

Week 2: Internal v. External Conflict, Resolving Conflict

Confidentiality Review group rules Solve Conflicts within Yourself Worksheet, Discussion External Conflicts Involve Other People Worksheet, Discussion Resolving Conflict Worksheet, Color By Number, Discussion

Week 2: Know the Real Issue, Consider Other Person’s Feelings, Communicate and Cooperate

Confidentiality Review group rules Know the Real Issue Worksheet, Discussion Consider the Other Person’s Feelings Worksheet, Discussion Communicate and Cooperate Worksheet, Discussion

Week 4: I-Message, Ready Reply

Confidentiality Review group rules Say “I” instead of “You” Worksheet, Discussion Ready Reply Worksheets (2), Discussion

Week 5: Review, Coping Skills Bingo Confidentiality Review group rules Coping Skills Bingo Post-Test


Ready Ruler Pretest

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1. Rate your anger on the ruler with an O.

2. Rate your ability to handle conflict in a healthy way on the scale with an X.

3. What is conflict?

4. What strategies do you use to resolve conflict?

0 to 3: There is no need for me to change. My behavior works fine for me. I don’t see any problem.

4 to 6: I’m thinking about changing, but I am not really sure about it.

7 to 10: I want to change my behavior. I would like to talk with an adult about doing it.

0 to 3: Low 4 to 6: Middle 7 to 10: High


Ready Ruler Post-Test

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1. Rate your anger on the ruler with an 0.

2. Rate your ability to handle conflict/anger in a healthy way on the ruler with an X.

3. What is conflict?

4. What strategies can you use to resolve conflict?

5. What did you like about this group?

6. What would you change about this group?


What’s Your Starting Point?

0, 1, 2, or 3:What about your usual behavior leads you to keep doing it?

How does it work well for you?

What are the payoffs and benefits?

What is working well for you?

When you think about the behavior that adults would like you to show, why do you think it’s not right for you?

What should not change about you, no matter what, because it is an important part of who you are?

Is there something about your thoughts, feelings, or personality that stops you from even thinking about changing?

What would need to happen to get you thinking about changing in the way you behave on a usual day?



4, 5, or 6

Why did you put your mark here and not closer to zero?

What would you need in order to feel okay about moving your mark a little farther to the right?

Have you tried some ways to change?

What did you try?

How well did it work for you?

Did it work better than the old ways?

If you tried some new ways to act in situations, but stopped, why did you stop?

What do you think is better about your old ways than the new ways adults would like to see?

What gets in the way of changing?

Why do you think change usually isn’t quick and easy?

What kind of support from others would help you with the changes you want to make?



7, 8, 9, or 10

What would you like to talk about?

Which behaviors would you like to change?

What behaviors would you like to learn to show?

What is the biggest hurdle to changing your behavior?

What could help you get over this hurdle?


Say “I” instead of “You”

You-Talk I-Talk

“You aren’t listening.”

“You’re rude!”

“You did a lousy job cleaning up.”

“You’re not being fair.”


Ready Replies Wrong Words Ready Reply

To a teacher:

“I don’t get this stuff because you

don’t teach it right! How come I

got stuck with such a crummy teacher?

To another kid:

“If you think I’m so stupid, why don’t

you go sit somewhere else? You are the one

who is stupid!

To a family adult:

“All you ever do is criticize me and find

fault with what I do. I hate you!

conflict resolution outline

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