Scenario 1
Who is involved in this conflict?
Jordan and Taylor are the two people at the center of the conflict.
Even though Emily shared the information with Jordan, she does not need to be a part of solving the problem.
Is this a small, medium, or big problem? Who is involved in the conflict?
Small. AJ might feel left out, but nobody is in danger, and the situation doesn't necessarily require action.
AJ and Howie are the only two people directly involved in the conflict.
Is this a small, medium, or big problem? Who is involved in the conflict?
Medium. Christina already told Brittany that she didn't appreciate the joke, but Brittany continued making jokes about her. The conflict is between Brittany and Christina, even though other classmates witnessed it.
Is this a small, medium, or big problem? How can you tell?
Medium. Jordan's friendship with Taylor could be affected, but nobody is in immediate danger. Jordan may be able to solve the problem by having a conversation with Taylor.
What are some possible reasons Howie didn't respond to AJ's message? Does this necessarily mean Howie was trying to exclude AJ?
Howie might have forgotten to respond, already had plans, or simply wanted to spend time with other friends. Just because Howie didn't respond doesn't mean he was intentionally excluding AJ.
Why might Brittany think her jokes are harmless? How might Christina see the situation differently?
Brittany might think she's just being funny, especially because other classmates laughed. Christina might feel embarrassed or disrespected, particularly because Brittany continued joking after Christina asked her to stop. Just because something is funny to one person doesn't mean it's funny to everyone.
What "I" statement could Jordan use when talking to Taylor?
"I felt hurt when I heard that you might have been talking about me because I thought we were good friends. Can we talk about what happened?"
What "I" statement could AJ use if he decides to talk to Howie?
"I felt left out when I saw pictures of you hanging out with other people after you didn't respond to my text. I would've appreciated a response, even if you already had plans."
What "I" statement could Christina use to explain to Brittany how she feels about the repeated jokes?
"I feel embarrassed when you make jokes about me in front of other people because I don't like being laughed at. I already told you how I felt, and I'd really like you to stop."
What are 3 roadblocks that could make this conflict harder to solve?
Yelling: Jordan confronts Taylor angrily instead of having a calm conversation.
Blaming: Jordan accuses Taylor without knowing whether Emily's story is true.
Involving others: Jordan tells more classmates about the situation, spreading rumors.
Avoiding the problem: Jordan stops talking to Taylor without explaining why.
What are 3 roadblocks that could make this small problem turn into a bigger conflict?
Yelling: AJ confronts Howie angrily about not responding.
Blaming: AJ accuses Howie of intentionally excluding him.
Involving others: AJ complains to classmates or tries to get others to take his side.
Making assumptions: AJ assumes Howie doesn't want to be his friend anymore.
Retaliating: AJ purposely ignores Howie's future messages to get back at him.
What could Brittany say in response to Christina that shows she understands her feelings and wants to resolve the conflict?
"I'm sorry I embarrassed you. I thought everyone was having fun, but I understand now that the jokes were hurtful. I won't make those jokes about you again."
Which is the best solution for solving this problem?
Solution A: Jordan immediately confronts Taylor in front of their classmates and accuses Taylor of talking about them.
Solution B: Jordan stops hanging out with Taylor and begins ignoring them without explaining why.
Solution C: Jordan asks to speak with Taylor privately, calmly explains what Emily said, and gives Taylor a chance to share their side of the story.
Best Solution: C. Jordan communicates directly with Taylor, avoids making assumptions, and gives both people an opportunity to understand each other's perspectives.
What are some possible ways AJ could handle this situation?
Solution A: AJ decides not to bring it up. He recognizes that Howie can make plans with other friends and chooses to move on.
Solution B: AJ ignores Howie at school and purposely leaves him out of future plans.
Solution C: AJ calmly tells Howie that he would've appreciated a response to his message, even if Howie was busy or had other plans.
A and C. Both are appropriate ways to handle a small problem. AJ can choose to let it go or communicate his feelings respectfully. Not every problem needs a confrontation, and sometimes choosing not to react is the best solution.
What should Brittany and Christina do to resolve this conflict? Create a solution that considers both of their perspectives.
Brittany should apologize to Christina and agree to stop making jokes about her. Christina should clearly explain her boundaries, and Brittany should respect them. If Brittany continues making jokes after being asked to stop, Christina could seek support from a trusted adult.