The Conflict Corner
This one management strategy has saved me countless hours of listening to tattle-taling, resolving student conflicts and also empowered my students to figure out ways to solve their problems without the help of a teacher.
The way the Conflict Corner works is by making sure students know that any time they have a problem with someone – maybe they saw them cheating, maybe they saw them break a rule or do a procedure incorrectly, maybe they don’t like the shirt they are wearing… it could be anything really – before they come and tell a teacher about it they must first ask that person to go to the conflict corner – if a person asks you to go to the conflict corner you are required to go – that’s part of using Good Sportsmanship – working out your problems together.
Ultimately, you are teaching your kids a valuable skill and helping them develop some personal responsibility and take ownership of the class – that’s a good thing for your class culture.
At the conflict corner you will follow the steps listed (see a demonstration of this in the video below). If after going through the steps listed the student’s still can’t come to a resolution they can come get the help of a teacher.
*Injury Form I use that was mentioned in the video is available HERE
This has cut down 95% of my issues with tattling in the gym – most kids just don’t want to waste anytime and realize that whatever they were worried about wasn’t a big deal anyway. Lets push our kids be independent and help them to learn some valuable communication skills.
Skeptical about Step 1?
Check out the recent research on Power Poses and how it affects your bodies hormone levels, you can google it, or read this article which sums it up nicely. Or watch Amy Cuddy’s Ted Talk on body language.
Thanks to J.D. Hughes for originally giving me the concept for this idea with his “Problem Solving Table” in the book “No Standing Around in My Gym” and also to Marcus Nellems who I am honored to co-teach with every week, for the excellent demonstration.
How the Conflict Corner helps keep students accountable in a game:
Check out the post below for an explanation of how I talk to my students about the Conflict Corner and how it usually plays out when we’re playing games in PE class.
View this post on Instagram
Also – the conflict corner can be a”cross-curricular activity” see below 🙂
Check out another cool activity shared by Tanner Roos on Twitter below – print Conflict Corner on normal pages and write scenarios for students to practice on the back – Great Idea!
UPDATE: A fellow Phys Ed Teacher and Blogger Joey Feith (ThePhysicalEducator) Created a very cool re-design of the Conflict Corner Poster and has it posted up on his blog – Check it out HERE
Matt says
Is there a way to get an editable version of the posters? My school has a large ESL population and I want to add spanish translations to the posters.
Marcus says
I’ll check with Ben!
But you should be able to upload to Google Drive or a PDF editor if you would like to change it.
Hope this helps!
Samantha Wilson says
How can students demonstrate that they know how to use the conflict corner to work out their issues? What type of evidence can be shown that it is working?
Marcus says
Hey Samantha,
The most effective way to tell whether the conflict corner is working is by observing student behavior when a conflict arises.
If you have less students asking the teacher to resolve their problem or less students are having conflicts in the activity then you know students are able to take care of the issues themselves.
Hope this helps!
Lesbia Williams says
I love your post! Thanks!
Marcus says
Thank you Lesbia!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
SUSAN G PIERPOINT says
Thank you for all the great ideas!
Marcus says
You’re welcome Susan! Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Jennifer Stokker says
Hi Ben,
Thank you so much for all the resources that you have for free! I work at a small Christian School and my resources are extremely limited, so I am especially grateful for all the videos and others resources that you offer.
I would like to download the conflict corner poster but for whatever reason, it is not downloading like other materials that you have. Would it be possible to email the poster?
Thanks,
Jennifer Stokker
[email protected]
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Jennifer!
Sorry about the issue, you can grab it from our Teachers Pay Teachers page as well, link below:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Pe-Specialist
I have a linked up where to find it was well below:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Conflict-Corner-4026670
Drew says
How did you print your conflict corner into a poster? I use it and love it but would like it to be bigger.
Ben Landers says
we have a poster printer, if you don’t have access to one in your school or district – check a print shop or a store like kinkos
Dan Kirsch says
I love this! My school does the Leader In Me program! I have used a conflict corner as well. We call it our Mindful Moment. We have three steps. Think about problem. Regroup (listen to each other). Get back in the game (shaking hands/compliment each other). Thanks for sharing.
Ben Landers says
Good stuff Dan! Glad you’re already implementing a good process
Rosario Mary Jesudoss says
Hi
can you send the conflict corner post please. I am unable to download. Thanks
Regards
Rosario
Ben Landers says
Sorry about the issue, the download is working fine for us.
Usually, this issue is related to a school filter, pop-up blocker, or browser issue – so we’d recommend trying from another computer, switching browsers and making sure all pop up blockers have been turned off.
As a last resort you can also find this free download on our Teachers Pay Teachers Page Here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Pe-Specialist
Neil Walk says
Ben. I am new to your site. I have been teaching PE in North East MD the last 11 years at a title one school.I always struggle with “conflicts” and how to resolve them quickly in PE. So my question to you is, do you teach the conflict corner the 1st or 2nd week of PE? How long do you spend on this? Do you find you have to go back and reteach this throughout the year?
Ben Landers says
I spend about 10 minutes in first grade and a little less each year after that since they’re already familiar with it.
Some classes, yes I go back and reteach it – but for the most part I don’t find it necessary, just depends on the group of kids
Kerrie says
What are your qualifications to implement this system?
What if the child enjoys being in this conflict corner causing distress and trouble to another student ????
Kerrie says
Our children aren’t robots, so you are forcing them to attend this “conflict corner” and if they do not they get time out? wow So they are losing their right and choice not to attend your “conflict corner??
And what if this conflict corner is causing more conflict instead of resolving issues, what if this one child continues to take every issue to the conflict corner?
Ben Landers says
If it becomes an issue you would simply address it with that student that is abusing it.
Yes – if a student isn’t willing to talk to another team member about a problem then they aren’t using teamwork and aren’t willing to be a part of the solution.
Just trying to share a really helpful system that’s worked for me – If you think it’s a horrible idea – you’re free not to try it out 🙂
Drew Hopper says
What is a good grade to start trying to implement this? I want to do this with all grade levels, including my kindergartners and first graders, but it seems that it will take a lot of coaching, encouragement, and patience to do so with these age groups. With that said, there is only one me teaching the class and I don’t know what to do with the other students while I am coaching the others through how to resolve their conflict. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated!
Ben Landers says
I do it with my 1st – 5th grades.
The main reason I don’t do it with Kindergarten is we have really short classes (25 minutes) and so it’s a lot to get them in, get things started and have time for an activity or stations.
I try to keep things simple and streamlined with my K students
Lisa Demmel says
Ben
I implemented this in my Physical Education classes K-6, my partner at first was hesitant, I gave him a copy of the sign and showed him how it should be utilized, the following week I saw him implementing it during classes that we don’t teach together! We both agree it teaches a very valuable lessons about communicating feelings and it allows the kids to learn to work through difficulties without adult control. The sign is an awesome reminder/guide. K-3 teachers want to start using it in their classrooms.
Thanks
Lisa
Ben Landers says
Nice! That’s great feedback – glad it’s helping out over there.
alicia whalen says
Ben , What if someone refuses to go to the conflict corner?
Ben Landers says
If someone refuses they aren’t following our class expectations – when someone on your team has a problem you need to be willing to help them work it out. So anytime I have a situation where a student says no they go to “Refocus” or “Time Out” whatever you want to call it and then I come and have a talk with them about why it’s important.
Brian Johnston says
Great idea for upper grades…what about K-1? What is the process for the conflict corner with these levels? The students at this level can’t read the steps…thanks!
Ben Landers says
I usually don’t use the conflict corner with K, but my 1st graders know the general idea and they can point to the different smiley faces to indicate how they are feeling and work through the problem that way. The illustrations on the poster help them get the general idea.
Claudia Brown says
Just shared the conflict corner with my daughter, who is a long term sub in elementary PE (she has her degree in elementary ed., so this is new to her!)
The classes are large – this will be a great tool for her!
Thank you!
The PE Specialist says
Awesome! It works really well once the kids understand the concept. I hope it saves her some time!
jeff says
Ben, do the upper grades ever use this just for a excuse to talk to their friends? How long should this take?
The PE Specialist says
Hey Jeff, I haven’t had that issue – but if I did I would just address it with those students if they were taking advantage of it.
jeff says
Ben, at the bottom of the conflict corner how are the faces used?
The PE Specialist says
The younger kids 1st – 2nd use them to explain different emotions.
Claudia Brown says
Thanks Ben – enjoyed this!