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This activity asks students to explore multiple perspectives in conflict scenarios in order to better understand characters from Outside, recognize how conflict occurs, and explore possible conflict resolutions.
Materials Needed:
Excerpts, Perspective Worksheets, Assessment Rubrics (found at end of attached document)
Instructional Procedures:
As an opening point for discussion, ask students how they react when someone refuses to listen to their opinion.
Assign each student a partner. To each pair, distribute two copies of the same dialogue excerpt and two copies of the Perspective Worksheet.
Ask students to read their dialogue excerpt together and then decide who will play each character.
Have students complete Part 1 of the worksheet: “Identifying the Conflict”.
Ask students to read their excerpt again, assuming that the character they filled in for “Character A” is on the right side of the dispute. During this reading, students should use a tone of voice to make Character A sound reasonable and Character B sound unreasonable.
Have students complete Part 2 of the worksheet: “Character A's Perspective”.
Ask students to read their excerpt again, this time assuming that the character they filled in for “Character B” is right. Students should use tone of voice to make Character B sound reasonable and Character A sound unreasonable.
Have students complete the Part 3 of the worksheet: “Character B's Perspective”.
Still in their pairs, ask students to propose a possible solution to the conflict they have been work- ing with.
Students may present this solution orally, in writing or in another manner agreed upon by the teacher.
After students have prepared their solutions, collect the Perspective Worksheets from each pair and any written solutions for assessment. Ask partners who chose to communicate their solutions orally to present. Reference the rubric for assessment.
As a discussion point for consolidation, ask students:
How can we communicate effectively to prevent misunderstandings and help other people under- stand our point of view?
In situations where our emotional reactions might make us respond harshly, what effect does tone of voice have on communication?
Suggest strategies we can use to prevent powerful emotions, such as anger, from negatively affect- ing our ability to communicate.
Can you think of any situations where high emotion can make communication more effective?