HASS · Foundation

Active learning ideas

Conflict Resolution: Strategies for Fairness

Active learning works for conflict resolution because young students build fairness skills through doing, not just listening. When children practice calm steps and compromises in structured play, they transfer those habits to real classroom and playground conflicts.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9HASSFS04

• 25–40 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Role Play
• 35 min · Pairs

Role-Play Carousel: Playground Conflicts

Prepare cards with scenarios like turn-taking on slides or toy sharing. Pairs act out the conflict, resolve it using posters of strategies, then rotate to new pairs for feedback. End with whole-class sharing of best resolutions.

Identify common causes of conflict in groups.

Facilitation Tip

During the Role-Play Carousel, assign each pair a single conflict scenario so they focus on practicing one strategy at a time.

What to look for

Provide students with a scenario, e.g., 'Two friends want to play with the same toy.' Ask them to write down one 'I feel' statement and one possible compromise.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• Role Play
• 25 min · Small Groups

Strategy Sorting Game

Provide cards showing actions like shouting or compromising. Small groups sort cards into 'fair way' or 'unfair way' piles, discuss reasons, and create group posters. Share one example per group.

Explain effective strategies for peaceful conflict resolution.

Facilitation Tip

In the Strategy Sorting Game, place the ‘calm down’ and ‘listen’ cards in separate piles so students physically separate the steps before matching them to scenarios.

What to look for

Present a simple conflict scenario to the class. Ask students: 'What is the problem here?' and 'What is one way we could solve this fairly?' Record their ideas on the board.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Role Play
• 30 min · Whole Class

Peace Circle Discussions

Form a whole-class circle. Each student shares a conflict experience using a talking stick, models practice resolution in pairs, then group votes on fairest strategy. Record class agreements on chart paper.

Analyze how different perspectives can lead to conflict and how to address them fairly.

Facilitation Tip

When leading Peace Circle Discussions, hold a talking object to ensure only one child speaks at a time and others listen with eyes on the speaker.

What to look for

Observe students during a structured role-play activity. Use a simple checklist to note if students are using 'I feel' statements, actively listening, and attempting to compromise.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 04

• Role Play
• 40 min · Small Groups

Fairness Station Rotations

Set up stations: draw conflict comics, role-play with puppets, sort strategy beads, build compromise towers with blocks. Groups rotate every 7 minutes, noting one new idea per station.

Identify common causes of conflict in groups.

Facilitation Tip

At the Fairness Station Rotations, use picture cards of toys or games so students who are still developing literacy can participate equally.

What to look for

Provide students with a scenario, e.g., 'Two friends want to play with the same toy.' Ask them to write down one 'I feel' statement and one possible compromise.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Experienced teachers begin with calm-down practice before introducing any words or actions. They prevent shame by framing conflict as a normal difference rather than a behavior problem. Teachers avoid rushing to solve problems for students; instead, they coach students to use the steps. Research shows that structured repetition in short bursts builds lasting habits better than long lessons.

Students will demonstrate the ability to pause before acting, use clear statements about their feelings, listen without interrupting, and suggest fair solutions that let everyone keep playing. You will see these skills in their role-plays and discussions.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Role-Play Carousel, some students may argue that the first person to grab the toy wins.

  Interrupt the role-play after the first move and ask the pair: ‘How did you feel when the toy disappeared? What could both of you do so you both play?’ Guide them to suggest a timer or sharing plan before continuing.

• During Strategy Sorting Game, students may say only adults can decide who is right.

  Point to the ‘compromise’ card and ask: ‘What could both children get a little of while waiting for the next turn?’ Have them place the compromise card on the scenario where two children want the same jump rope.

• During Peace Circle Discussions, students may believe conflicts come from someone being mean.

  After a student blames another, ask everyone to restate the feeling without naming the person: ‘Someone felt left out when the ball went to the other side. What could we do so the ball comes back?’

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Methods used in this brief

• Role Play