The document provides guidance on developing strategies for dealing with conflict. It suggests having a strategy is better than just reacting. It outlines an A-B-C-D framework for strategies: A) Avoid negative situations, B) Stay calm and collected, C) Communicate clearly using "I" messages, and D) Determine your goals for the conflict. Students are instructed to develop strategies for three scenarios involving bullying and confrontations using this framework.

1. Conflict Strategies
ChicagoQuest Core Mechanics

2. Essential Question
What is your strategy for dealing with conflict?

3. Engage
In what ways can conflict be positive or
helpful?

4. Video Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP6OwyAzq_k

5. Have a Strategy
Often our responses during conflict are out of
habit or reaction.
Insults, threats, getting physical are often
reactions that are not thought out.

6. Games
In games, we have a strategy. A strategy is a
plan of action designed to achieve a goal.
Having a strategy is a way to avoid just
reacting.
When we react, we let others control us. When
we have a strategy, we take control.

7. Scenarios
Using poplett, pages or keynote, develop a
strategy for dealing with one of the following
scenarios.
Trace through several possibilities - what if the
other person responds by escalating the
conflict? what if they de-escalate the conflict?

8. Ground Rules
Some ground rules for our scenario are:
Fighting is a lose-lose. It is likely to get you
in trouble and or hurt. Always assume that
fighting is a losing strategy.
Be clear on your goal. Are you trying to
‘win’ the conflict? To end it? What goals do
you have for the given scenario?

9. scenario 1
There is a person in your class that is always
bothering you - teasing you, nudging you,
being disrespectful towards you in front of
others. Today they have decided to insult how
you walk. How do you respond?

10. Scenario 2
Your locker is right next to someone who can
be a bit of a bully. At times you are afraid to
even go near there when the bully is around.
How can you address the situation so you
don’t end up late for class?

11. Scenario 3
Someone you hardly know is always punching
you in the arm as they walk by in the hallway.
At first you thought it was an accident, and
then just messing around, but now it is starting
to feel like the person is just being deliberately
mean. What is your strategy?

12. A-B-C-D
Remember these A-B-C-Ds for having a
strategy in conflict resolution
A. Avoid potentially negative situations.
B. Be calm and collected
C. Communicate clearly and confidently.
D. Determine your goals.

13. A
Avoid potentially negative situations:
Don’t push into situations that are likely to
create conflict, to escalate a current issue, or
to cause other problems.
Be especially aware in chaotic areas -
hallways, lunch room, recess, etc.

14. B
Be calm and collected.
As we discussed last week, be calm and
collected.
Use strategies for calming - deep breaths,
create additional space, count upwards,
change your body position

15. C
Communicate clearly and confidently.
Use “I” messages, not “you” messages. You
messages tend to escalate conflict - “you are
always bothering me”, “you need to stop”,
“you are a dummy”, etc.
I messages tend to deescalate conflict - “I am
frustrated”, “I just want to get to my locker”,
etc.

16. C
Communicate clearly and confidently (part 2)
Clarify as you go - make sure you
understand what the other person is saying
and repeat back your understanding to them
“It sounds like you are really mad at me”
Use conversation starters, not enders. Avoid
yes/no questions - ask the other person what
they think, what ideas they have.

17. D
Determine your goals
It is important to act with purpose -
otherwise you are simply reacting.
Ask yourself some simple questions - what
do you hope to gain from this conflict? Is it
necessary? What would you consider to be a
good outcome?

18. Exit
Email your strategy to your Home Base
teacher. Be prepared to discuss your strategies!