Teacher QuestionsWhat precipitates conflict?

How do personal values impact

relationships?

How do you minimize conflict?

Who

We

Are AN INQUIRY INTO

THE NATURE OF THE SELF; BELIEFS AND VALUES; PERSONAL, PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH; HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS INCLUDING FAMILIES, FRIENDS, COMMUNITIES, AND CULTURES; RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES; WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN.

Enduring UnderstandingsWhat do we want students to remember for a life time?

Differences in values can cause conflict that we choose to deal with in different ways.

The choices we make about how we deal with conflict can affect our relationships.

Lines of InquiryWhat is the focus of our inquiry?

How personal conflicts arise

How values are formed

How we react in times of conflict

PYP AttitudesWhat attitudes do we want to foster?

Respect: What does it mean to be respectful when dealing with personal conflicts? Respecting others’ values, culture, and ideas helps us to build harmonious relationships.Independence: Learning to make judgements after carefully considering an argument, allows students to think for themselves and not follow the crowd.

Learner Profile AttributesReflective: Students will have many opportunities to reflect on how they manage conflict, allowing them to explore alternative strategies. Knowledgeable: After reading a variety of stories, sharing personal experiences and interviewing members of our community, students will gain knowledge about values, causes of conflict and strategies to deal with conflict.

Central Idea: Differences in values can cause conflict that we choose to deal with in different ways.

Grade 6 Unit of Inquiry Overview: 22 August - 23 September, 2011

Skills

What transdisciplinary skills will students apply during this unit?Communication SkillsRecognizing body language and facial cues gives us insight to how people are feeling. This is a useful skill when striving to create and maintain harmonious relationships.

Research SkillsOur focus during this unit is on collecting and interpreting data. Students will be learning how to prepare for and conduct purposeful interviews, synthesize the data and interpret its meaning.

Self-Management SkillsWe all come into conflict at some point in time and being able to make informed choices when managing such situations is a factor in building positive relationships.

Social SkillsThrough role play, discussion and the establishment of classroom routines, students will develop a greater understanding of what it means to treat others, and themselves, with respect. We will also explore how different personality types deal with conflict and extend the students repertoire of conflict resolution strategies.

ConceptsWhat key concepts will we explore?Function: Understanding how various conflict resolution strategies work allows us to become more flexible in our responses to conflict.Causation: Understanding the triggers for conflict can help us to avoid them or to anticipate a result and better prepare to manage the situation.Connection: Understanding there is a connection between our values and personal conflict, and the connection between the ways in which we deal with conflict and the impact this has on relationships. What are the related concepts?Harmony: Striving for harmony in our communities and relationships is a worthwhile pursuit, allowing us to work together more effectively; knowing that people with different views may also be right.Resolution: Understanding that resolution is a learned process helps us to solve problems by seeking alternative solutions. Solving a conflict does not have to result in ‘winning’ a battle.Relationship: Building positive relationships enables us to participate in a wide range of activities with success. Being aware of our own values and appreciating that others’ may differ prepares us to understand and respect different opinions.

How can parents help at home?Talk to your child about the conflicts they encounter at school, at home and in other situations. Have them explain

Action: How do you deal with conflict in your own life? Now, having a greater awareness of your values and how these may differ from others’, how will you build positive relationships? What might you do when faced with conflict?

what their perspective is and why. Explore why others might feel differently about a situation. What does your family value? Have family discussions about what is important to each member of the family. Do you have shared values? Do you need to have shared values? Is it differences in values that causes conflict in the family?Discuss news items that involve conflict, striving to understand the different perspectives and the underlying values. Discuss possible ways the conflict might be resolved. Ask your child, “What would you do in this situation?”

Success Criteria for this Unit of InquiryStudents will understand that:

differences in values can cause conflict that we choose to deal with in different ways.the choices we make about how we deal with conflict can affect our relationships.

Students will know:subject-specific vocabulary.strategies to manage/avoid conflict.

Students will be able to:articulate an awareness of their values and those of others.formulate questions to conduct interviews as a means of collecting data.interpret data collected from interviews.apply appropriate conflict management strategies.demonstrate respect and independence in their interactions.