Fourth grade students are up for developmental guidance lessons! Our oldest students are learning conflict resolution skills to help them become independent problem solvers. During their first lesson, students learned to use an "I message" to communicate to someone how they feel. An I message includes 4 parts -
Here are some great I messages 4th graders came up with:
Over the next few weeks, we will explore the different roles in conflicts between friends, and learn to apply our I messages to help solve problems! More to come soon...
- "I feel...." - Name the feeling you have
- "When you..." - Name the behavior someone is doing that bugs you
- "Because..." - Explain why this behavior is making you have this feeling
- "Can you please stop?" OR "Next time can you...?" - Explain to the person what you would like to have happen differently next time.
Here are some great I messages 4th graders came up with:
- I feel frustrated when you talk over me because I want a turn to be in the conversation with my friends too. Can you please stop and let me have a turn?
- I feel sad when you shared my secret with someone else because it was supposed to be private. Next time, can you please keep it to yourself?
- I feel upset when you look at my paper during a test because I'm working hard to ace it and it feels like you're copying. Next time, can you please keep your eyes on your own paper?
- I feel irritated when you whisper to someone else and stare at me because it makes me feel like you are talking about me or don't want to talk to me. Can you please stop?
Over the next few weeks, we will explore the different roles in conflicts between friends, and learn to apply our I messages to help solve problems! More to come soon...