“The Diverse Universe” Lesson 9.13 Created By: Pam Gunter

As a follow up from last week’s challenge, would anyone like to share an experience they had using the skills they’ve learned to temper their anger and frustration? Did everyone make a mental or written plan of action so they will be better prepared the next time they experience negative or destructive emotions?

Materials Needed: None. Classroom Setup: Open floor space.

Just as anger is inevitable in life, so are differences with others. Because we vary, just like one star to another, there will be times in every relationship that we will disagree with someone. Diversity is all around us. Some differences are physical such as color of skin, body weight, styles of clothing. Other differences are more difficult to identify such as beliefs, values, opinions. Diversity is good. It broadens the mind, opens up windows of growth and opportunity, helps us grow socially. Learning to work with others, especially when there are differences can be extremely challenging and sometimes frustrating and can create a hostile and destructive environment, if not handled correctly. There is a simple 5 step plan to successfully resolve conflicts even when there are differences of opinions, thoughts and ideas, driven from different backgrounds, cultures, etc.

Step One: If you are feeling the signs of anger, stop, step back, and cool off. No one benefits when a situation is emotionally charged. Step Two: Listen to everyone’s opinions. Keep an open mind and set aside personal prejudices and feelings. Make an effort to try and understand the other person, while staying focused on the problem at hand. Step Three: When it is your turn, express yourself using facts, instead of opinions. Stay focused on the situation at hand, don’t vary or the message gets clouded and distorted. Step Four: Compare all options to resolve the conflict, giving everyone’s ideas equal importance. Pick the best idea to resolve the situation or problem. It could be someone’s individual idea, or possibly using pieces of several ideas combined, making a compromise. Step Five: Once the decision is made, do it without hesitation or holding a grudge, even if your idea wasn’t 100% accepted or used.

1.Have everyone stand in a circle. 2.Have every student take their right and grasp the right hand of the person to the right of them. 3.Have every student then take their left hand and grasp the left hand of someone else in the circle, aside from the person next to them. 4.Have them work together to unscramble the human knot, using the steps we’ve just learned.

There will always be differences because everyone is different. We can learn from other’s differences. We don’t always have to agree with them, but we still need to demonstrate respect and courtesy. When resolving conflicts, using a simple 5 step process can work extremely effectively and reduce damage to relationships. Conflict resolution, like anger management, is important to be successful in life. Learning to work with others, through differences can build character. Resolving conflict often times requires compromise, but sometimes we need to admit that someone else’s ideas are better. Be honest with yourself when that occurs. Respect other’s feelings during the resolution process.

Challenge the students to practice the 5 steps of conflict resolution. Have them practice these skills at home, work, and school.