Corbin & Associates, Inc., is committed to providing training and service to school based law enforcement personnel. We know that we can make a positive difference through the relationships we build with students, administration and faculty in the school setting. One way to build these relationships is through education.
Whether you teach daily or occasionally, we know it is important that you be professional, prepared and knowledgeable. As a result of the training we do nationally, one of the needs we hear expressed time and time again is the desire to share lesson plans. While we do this with the students in our Basic SRO Training, others may not have had the opportunity to attend our training or any formalized training, to teach them how to prepare a formal presentation. Many of you have expressed a desire to have lesson plans that have been prepared by other officers.
To help meet your needs, we are providing you with a monthly lesson plan, on our web site, which has been prepared by officers currently teaching. All credit is given to the officer who's lesson plan is offered along with the officer's location, should you wish to contact him/her directly. The only thing we ask is that you be certain to verify any information before presenting it to your schools and consult local ordinances and state statutes to make it appropriate for your location.
We offer this benefit to you in the hopes that it will help you to "build relationships that last a lifetime". This is the foundation and mission of our company to help not only you, but most importantly the young people who so desperately need your help and guidance. If you have information you'd like to share with other school based professionals please contact us by phone (407)851-5058, fax (407)855-8962 or e-mail: sroinfo @ aol.com.
Lesson Plan of the Month
November 1999
Topic: Conflict Resolution/Management Target Group: Junior High
Prepared By: Kevin Lewis Agency: Springdale P. D.
Address: 201 N. Spring St. Phone: (501) 756-8200
Springdale, AR 72764
________________________________________________________________________
Objectives:
The student will be able to;
1. Define conflict
2. Describe conflict management
3. Identify triggers
4. Learn active/effective listening skills
5. Generate options to resolve conflicts
6. Understand the potential use of conflict management
Introduction:
Officer Kevin Lewis, Springdale Police Department, police officer since July 1995 and school resource officer since April 1999. I wanted to be a SRO because I love working with children and wanted to have an impact on your lives. Today, I am going to teach you that you can resolve conflicts without walking away from them or physically fighting to resolve them.
Body:
I. Define conflict
A. Difference of opinion
B. Disagreement between two or more people
II. Is Conflict Always A Bad Thing? (No)
A. Conflict is a normal process of life
B. No growth, learning or change without conflict
C. Conflict stimulates problem solving
III. Three Main Causes of Conflict
A. Resources
1. use of a classroom computer or computer game
B. Needs
1. self-esteem, an achievement, the need to be liked
C. Values
1. what you believe in
IV. Who do you have the most conflicts with? (write responses on board)
V. Conflict is sometimes difficult to deal with due to;
A. Personal issues
B. Intense emotions
VI. Arguments can lead to violence
A. You must stay calm
VII. Communication is the key
A. Two ways to assist in resolving a conflict
1. Negotiation - two or more people work together to resolve their problem. Both people must want to
resolve the problem.
2. Mediation - involves a neutral third person who assists in the problem solving. Remember only the
disputants can solve the problem, not the mediator. It’s best if all disputants agree on the mediator.
VIII. Conflict Situations
A. Find out what both parties want and not just what they are arguing about
VIX. Mediation Process
A. Deals with resolving the problem, not placing blame
X. Negotiation
A. People agree on the problem and outline possible solutions
XI. Questions To Ask Yourself About Conflict
A. Why is it happening?
B. How do I really feel about the situation?
C. What are my interests?
D. What is the other person’s interest?
E. What am I seeking?
F. What is the other person seeking?
G. Did I clearly explain myself?
H. Am I clear on what the other person has said?
I. What is the best possible solution?
XII. Four Important Skills Involved In Conflict Management
A. Telling Your Story
1. Make clear statements and tell your feelings
2. Sometimes, understanding and acknowledging feelings can lead to a solution
B. Awareness of Triggers
1. Triggers are verbal or non-verbal behavior that provokes an emotional reaction
2. Be careful with body language such as crossing arms and slouching in a seat or pointing a finger in
someone’s face
C. Active Listening
1. Requires hearing, understanding and showing that you heard and understand
2. Often people can tell if you are listening from your non-verbal cues such as eye contact or the tilt of your
head
3. Do not interrupt
4. When the speaker is finished, summarize their message
5. Active listening is crucial for resolving conflict
6. Shows that you understand what was communicated to you, not that you agree with it
D. Generating Options
1. Some people think there are two options (fight or runaway)
2. Two steps:
a. Brainstorm, write down ideas as you both can think of
b. Examine the ideas and select the ones that best meet the interests of both parties. Both parties should
discuss and evaluate each potential solution. Both should think about the consequences of each
potential solution. Once the parties agree to a solution that they both feel is workable and each feels
comfortable with, the conflict will be resolved.
Review:
A. Come to the discussion with a willingness to solve the problem
B. Use active listening to the interests of the other side
C. Try to think about the problem from the other person’s point of view
D. Think about the issue causing the problem and not about the personalities of the people involved
E. Think of as many potential solutions to the problem as possible
F. Identify solutions that both parties can live with
G. Repeat the main points of the agreement to make sure both parties understand
H. Agree in advance to discuss the problem again if the agreement does not seem to be working out
Practice:
Question/Answer
Documentation and/or Sources:
Teens, Crime and the Community Workbook
BLR Student Life "Teens and Conflict Resolution" Handbook