Yesterday I was meeting with 2 students who were experiencing some friendship issues (I dedicate a lot of counseling sessions to this type of thing). Usually I find it is best to have all parties involved present so that we can all talk safely and honestly. Anyway, I was giving my usual "conflict resolution" strategy suggestions when the light bulb went off! Why did I never think of this?! These ARE the 7 Habits. As I've already posted, we're going through the Leader in Me process and have been teaching the 7 habits for some time now. I realized that these strategies would probably make a lot more sense to students if I used the language they are used to: 7 habits lingo. Thus, my teaching tool was born: Using the 7 Habits to Solve Conflicts. This was something that was easy for me to explain to students, made sense to them, and integrated concepts we were already teaching. I even put up this poster outside my office (which is also located right by the bathrooms that my 4th grade friends use). 4th graders by far write me the most notes about this topic, so I thought...hmm, maybe if I post this in a central location, they can try to use the skills first, BEFORE they get to me. I use the 7 habits in so many ways, but I'm still amazed to see how easily they integrate into everything I do.
How do you use the 7 Habits to teach conflict resolution?
What a wonderful Idea! I'm sure as we integrate the 7 habits into the language of our students that new ideas will abound. On any given topic, I run through the habits with the students to see how they apply to various issues. Conflict resolution is a much needed skill for the students. The idea will be easily transferable into role playing scenarios letting the students solve the conflict.
ReplyDeleteThank You!