No Prep Plans: Kindness, Empathy & Community Conflict Mediation –SEL Grades 6–8

No Prep Plans: Kindness, Empathy & Community
Conflict Mediation – Peer Mediation Handbook
SEL Grades 6–8

Teach students practical conflict resolution skills through an engaging research and group project that explores the power of peer mediation, active listening, restorative justice, and respectful communication.

In this lesson, students investigate how schools use peer mediation to help classmates resolve disagreements peacefully before creating their own Peer Mediation Handbook designed for a middle school audience. Along the way, they learn about the 7-step peer mediation process, Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication framework, and Howard Zehr’s restorative justice approach, while recognizing situations that require trusted adult intervention.

Designed for Grades 6–8, this resource combines research, collaboration, critical thinking, and real-world application in a format that is easy to implement with minimal teacher preparation.

What's Included
- Complete Teacher Direction Page with options for a 45–60 minute lesson or an extended 1–2 lesson implementation
- Student Understanding Peer Mediation worksheet
- Student Peer Mediation Handbook Group Planning Guide
- Student Reflection & Personal Conflict Resolution Plan worksheet
- Full black-and-white printer-friendly versions of all student worksheets
- One-page overview of The Peer Mediation Framework
- One-page summary of Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and Howard Zehr’s Restorative Justice approach
- Online Resources page with free websites for student research

Students Will:
- Understand the purpose and benefits of peer mediation
- Explore the seven-step peer mediation process
- Learn the importance of neutrality, active listening, and respectful communication
- Examine the principles of Nonviolent Communication and restorative justice
- Practice writing effective I-statements
- Identify situations where peer mediation is appropriate and when adult intervention is necessary
- Collaborate to create a Peer Mediation Handbook for their school
- Reflect on their own conflict resolution skills and set personal goals for future disagreements

Perfect For:
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
- Advisory or Homeroom
- Character Education
- Health Classes
- Counseling Programs
- Life Skills Courses
- Conflict Resolution Units
- Project-Based Learning
- Student Leadership Programs

This lesson is part of the Kindness, Empathy & Community collection for SEL Grades 6–8, a growing series of engaging research activities, collaborative projects, and reflection experiences designed to help students strengthen communication skills, build empathy, resolve conflicts constructively, and contribute positively to their school and community.

Curriculum Companion Disclaimer
This resource is designed to serve as a companion to your existing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum, advisory program, counseling framework, health curriculum, or character education program. It is intended to enrich and reinforce instruction through research, discussion, collaboration, reflection, and project-based learning rather than replace a comprehensive SEL curriculum or school counseling program.