Creating problem solvers is one of the most important jobs we have as educators. While teaching, CEO Lana Hansen created a problem solving corner in her classroom. The tools in this corner empowers students — at any age — to walk through a three-part process to resolve conflict. They become better communicators and problem solvers while learning these lifelong skills:
1. How to work through conflict.
2. How to listen.
3. How to accept an apology.
4. How to take action on an issue.
How It Works
How To Say Sorry
Here’s a three-step apology that helps students learn how to say sorry — a lifelong skill that they can apply in aspects of their lives. Each step matters and together they empower students to deliver a genuine apology.
I am sorry that I ______________________.
Next time I will ______________________.
Will you forgive me?
How to Solve a Problem
You also can apply this concept to helping students communicate and work through an issue. This encourages them to be more proactive and helps them develop an important skill that they can use at home, at school and in their future careers someday.
I don’t like it when ______________________.
I feel ____________ when you ______________.
Would you please ______________________?
Put Into Practice
Teachers can put this on cards, create sentence sticks or choose another application that works for their classroom. Then the next time a conflict arises between students, you can direct them to the problem solving corner to work it out while you stay focused on teaching.
What’s a resource that works for you? We’d love to hear about it. Share it here.
