Embracing Conflict in the Classroom

1. Embracing Conflict in the Classroom Class

2. Embracing Conflict in the Classroom “To create a classroom where students feel safe enough to challenge each other – and us – is to give them an enormous gift.” Alfie Kohn, Beyond Discipline: From Compliance to Community (p. 77)

3. Conflict: How do you see it? * Timing : 15 minutes Word bubble from our community Word bubble of our own 2. Compare the bubbles, what is something that is common?

4. CLASS Disagreement War Trouble Useless Incongruity Fight Scary Struggle Aggression Debate Bad Solution Siblings Necessary

5. COMMUNITY Dispute Altercation Clash Struggle Disagreement Opposition Racism Litigation Ignorance Zero-sum Tug-of-war Fight

6. Common Theme? Dispute Altercation Clash Struggle Disagreement Opposition Racism Litigation Ignorance Zero-sum Tug-of-war Fight Disagreement War Trouble Useless Incongruity Fight Scary Struggle Aggression NEGATIVE

7. Google image search: Conflict Conflict; a serious disagreement or argument Conflict is typically portrayed as something “bad” and best avoided

8. Conflict described as Negative Negative word- something that expresses disagreement or criticism - can also be something negative that occurs -opposite of positive

9. EXAMPLES Can’t Wont Reject Fail Ignore Unfair Upset Misunderstood Disagree* Boring Cold Fight Horrible Stupid Oppressive Not No Never Argue

10. Negative Prefixes • mis- misbehave, not behavingproperly • non- nonstop , not stopping • un- unhelpful, not helpingothers

11. Negative Prefixes de- decomission –not workinganymore dis- displeased- not happy, negativeword, disagree, lack of agreement – alsonegative or il-, im-, or ir- illegal, not legal, negative

12. Positive Words -good, affirmative, or constructive(positive) quality or attribute. EXAMPLES Solutions Investigate Compromise Solving Resolution Unpacking Problem-solving Explanation Reasoning Response Justify Acknowledge Fusion Reflecting Debate Combining

13. Argument vs. Debate • Which is positive? Negative? • Why? -Argument is usually heated, don’t usually come to an agreement or a final outcome -Debate is more formal with rules, where no one is supposed to lose their temper, debating an important issue, seeing other sides

14. disagree • Not agreeing • Positive or negative? Negative if there is no growth, walk away, no discussion Positive if there is growth, or some agreement

15. Activity: Positive Spin* Timing : 20 – 25 minutes Your challenge is to define conflict without using negative terms. Once your group has agreed on a definition, write it on the flip chart paper

16. Conflict part 2 Homework Negative prefixes Argue vs. Debate

17. Discussion questions: How does the definition of conflict affect the way we think about conflict? What are some of the negative consequences of conflict in the classroom? What are some of the positive outcomes of conflict in the classroom?

18. Conflict • Negative • Disagree with no growth • Argue, shout and stomp off • Positive • Disagree, investigate why, find more information and reach a solution • Argue at the beginning but come to a compromise.

19. Conflict vs. Debate • Debate can be negative if you don’t follow the structure • Debate can be positive, the final solution is usually a combination of information from both sides. • Both sides win different points.

20. Positive ConflictWhat it looks like • Expression of emotions • Reaching out • Looking at a different perspective • Creating solutions • Delaying responding/adapting/reflecting

21. If we approach conflict positively, it can: • Allow creativity and imagination • Create an energetic climate* • Facilitate individual growth • Stimulate involvement in the discussion* • Improve the quality of decisions • Increase movement towards goals • Provide opportunities to explore difference • Spark collaboration rather than competition • Support deeper learning