The Conflict Tool Box
Young people often have a hard time understanding and remembering concepts without having a concrete image or representation of that concept. One simple way to combat this problem when teaching conflict resolution is to create a “conflict tool box”.
The purpose of this tool box is to have concrete representations of concepts or skills children need to help them resolve conflicts. The physical/tangible items will help them remember how the assigned concept is to be used.
- Assign a “tool” to each conflict resolution skill that best represents that skill. For example, a pair of wind-up, chattering teeth could represent the need for communication.
- Place that tangible item in a Conflict Tool Box that remains in the classroom.
- Depending on the conflict resolution technique you are teaching, more items are placed into the box. If you are teaching one technique a week, one tool per week would be place in the tool box.
- Review all the tools on a weekly basis.
- As conflicts arise, students may use the tool box to help resolve or negotiate the situation.
- It is also possible to make construction paper copies of the tools so that each child can carry a set when the class tool box is not available.
Suggested items include:
- A jar of patience
- The letter “I” for “I statements”
- Ears for listening
- A ruler for measuring the rules
- A texture block with six different expressions on its faces (how do you feel?)
- A detective glass for finding the real issues/interests
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