Conflict

Resolution
Escape Room
Eve Ogle and Katherine Parker
Our final product is a virtual escape room
that teaches students about conflict
resolution.

The escape room includes 7 challenges that

teach students about different elements of
conflict resolution.
What is conflict resolution?
❖ Conflict resolution refers to multiple individuals
identifying an issue, considering options, and reaching
a solution together (Longaretti + Wilson, 2006).

❖ Conflict resolution with students involves considering

feelings, reactions, and words (Counselor Keri, 2019).

❖ There has been an increase in conflicts in schools

since the pandemic (Belsha, 2022), highlighting the
importance of teaching conflict resolution
Why a virtual escape room?
❖ We wanted to create a final product that we could use
in the classroom!
➢ This product can be used if you are supplying, or as an
activity during the first day of an LTO.

❖ It is a fun way to promote social-emotional learning!

❖ Teaching students about conflict resolution

throughout the year is a proactive approach.
➢ CPS approach
➢ Conflict resolution is effective when presented as peer
mediation (Lane & McWhirter, 1992).
Connections to Concepts in
Counselling
❖ Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a form of
psychotherapy focused on changing one’s behaviours and
thoughts to address mood, frustration tolerance, and
conflict resolution skills (Fourali, 2009).

❖ In counselling settings, conflict resolution is taught through

scenarios, much like our escape room (Okanume-Onah & Onyebu,
2016).
➢ Conflict resolution counselling focuses on supporting
individuals in finding solutions to conflict (Good Therapy, 2017).

❖ Successful conflict resolution is associated with higher

self-esteem (The Conflict Expert, 2019).
The Steps of Conflict Resolution
Counselor Keri (2019) lists Waterford (2020) lists them
the steps as: as:
1. Understanding feelings 1. Cooling off
2. Using calming 2. Share, listen, check
strategies 3. Taking responsibility
3. Scaling the event 4. Brainstorming solutions
4. Expressing feelings 5. Choosing solutions
5. Actively listening 6. Affirm, forgive, thank
6. Brainstorming solutions
7. Choosing solutions
8. Moving on
Our Escape Room
❖ Our virtual escape room can be completed as a Google
Form.

❖ Students complete each challenge by following a link to

a Google Slides presentation.

❖ Students will receive a key word after completing each

challenge.

❖ Type each key word into the Google Form to

successfully escape!
Our Escape Room
❖ Story-based
➢ She has told the class that, since she has had to spend so
much time mediating your squabbles, you no longer have
time for gym class. Everyone begged and said that they’ll
all get along, so Mrs. Angel said you had to prove that you
know how to solve your own conflicts by completing an
escape room in groups. You have 20 minutes before gym
class - Good Luck!
Challenges 1, 2, and 3
❖ Challenge #1: Emotion Matching
➢ When students identify their emotions, it promotes SEL, allows them to
express their feelings, and encourages language development (Osika, MacMahon,
Lodge, & Carroll, 2022).
➢ Connects to steps 1 and 4 of conflict resolution (Counselor Keri, 2019).

❖ Challenge #2: Emotions in the Body

➢ Students learn to identify their emotions according to the feelings in their
body. This helps towards identifying the issue to be resolved and to help
them de-escalate before their emotions become out of control.

❖ Challenge #3: Calming Strategies

➢ Calming strategies combat low frustration tolerance and help students
deal with uncomfortable emotions (Trip & Bora, 2012).
➢ Connects to steps 1 (Waterford, 2020) and 2 (Counselor Keri, 2019) of conflict resolution
Challenges 4 and 5
❖ Challenge #4: Scale the Event
➢ This challenges introduces students to the idea that not all
conflicts need to be resolved, some can be let go.
➢ Students in this challenge sort conflicts into small, medium, and
big problems to put issues in perspective.

❖ Challenge #5: I Statements

➢ I statements support students in expressing their feelings, and
reduce blaming and defensiveness (Rogers, Howieson, & Neame, 2018).
➢ Connects to steps 2, 3 (Waterford, 2020) and 4 (Counselor Keri, 2019) of
conflict resolution
Challenges 6 and 7
❖ Challenge #6: Active Listening
➢ Sometimes big emotions and trigger words make finding the
actual heart of the conflict difficult.
➢ Students need practice to listen for understanding first.

❖ Challenge #7: Choosing Solutions

➢ Once the students brainstorm solution ideas together they will
choose the one that will, ideally, solve the conflict without the
potential for grudges.
Resources
❖ Identifying Emotions
Colour Wheel- Students
can use this colour wheel to
support them in identifying and
naming emotions
❖ How to Teach Kids
Conflict Resolution
Skills- This is a really helpful
resource that teachers can use to
support teaching conflict
resolution
❖ Enemy Pie- A read-aloud
about resolving conflicts
❖ Feelings Thermometer -
To help students identify how
strong their emotions are in order
to find an appropriate calming
technique.
Conclusions
❖ Our escape room allows students to practice the skills
necessary for successful conflict resolution. It
promotes SEL and creates a supportive classroom
environment!
❖ As an extension, we could give the students a common
conflict scenario and ask them to follow the steps to
solve the problem

❖ Limitations:
➢ Virtual- low prep but requires students to have access
to Internet/personal device
➢ Brainstorming step- internal, student-centred
➢ Real conflicts may be more complicated than the ones
presented in our escape room
References
❖ Belsha, K. (July 6, 2022). Pandemic effect: More fights and class disruptions, new data show. Chalkbeat.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2022/7/6/23197094/student-fights-classroom-disruptions-suspensions-discipline-pandemic
❖ Counselor Keri. (2019). How to teach kids conflict resolution skills. Counselor Keri: Resources to Spark Student Growth.
https://www.counselorkeri.com/2019/03/04/teach-kids-conflict-resolution/
❖ Fourali, C. (2009). Tackling conflict: A beyond opposites approach. Counselling Psychology Quarterly. 22(2).
https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070903154898
❖ Good Therapy. (2017). Conflict Resolution Therapy. GoodTherapy.org.
https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/conflict-resolution-therapy
❖ Lane, P. S. & McWhirter, J. J. (1992). A peer mediation model: Conflict resolution for elementary and middle school children.
Elementary School Guidance and Counselling. 27(1). 15-23.
❖ Longaretti, L. & Wilson, J. (2006). The impact of perceptions on conflict management. Education Research Quarterly. 29(4).
3-15.
❖ Okanume-Onah, A. & Onyebu A. (2016). The role of counselling in conflict resolution and its economic effect in Nigeria.
International Journal of Progressive and Alternative Education. 2(1).
❖ Osika, A., MacMahon, S., Lodge, J. M., & Carroll, A. (March 8, 2022). Emotions and learning: what role do emotions play in how
and why students learn? Times Higher Education.
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/emotions-and-learning-what-role-do-emotions-play-how-and-why-stu
dents-learn
❖ Rogers, S. L., Howieson, J. & Neame, C. (2018). I understand you feel that way, but I feel this way: The benefits of I-language
and communicating perspective during conflict. National Library of Medicine 10.7717/peerj.4831
❖ The Conflict Expert. (March 3, 2019). Self-Esteem and Conflict. The-ConflictExpert.com.
https://the-conflictexpert.com/2019/03/03/self-esteem-and-conflict/
❖ Trip, S. & Bora, C. (2012). Psychometric properties of low frustration tolerance scale for students. Social and Behavioural
Sciences, 33(2). 578-582.
❖ Waterford.org. (November 11, 2020). Conflict Resolution Techniques You Can Use in Your Classroom. Waterford.org.
https://www.waterford.org/education/classroom-conflict-resolution-techniques/