Day 7

Yesterday was great. I enjoy those kids so much. I worked with three in particular on adding. These students were adorable. They kept asking me questions about high school and my pink hair. They were talking over each other trying to tell me things, I was trying to balance listening to them with getting them to add the numbers and do what I was telling them. The two girls were both trying to get my attention and it was causing a little bit of conflict. I solved this by letting them take turns talking and give them each an equal turn. This satisfied them with them being able to be heard. There was also a mini crisis when one of the girls was arranging her cubes the same way as the other girl. She was very upset that her idea was being copied. I just asked her if it was hurting her in any way. She said no, so I asked if it would be okay for her to share that idea with the other girl. This seemed to satisfy her and the two girls started joking around with each other like nothing was wrong. It is nice how conflicts don't stick in first grade. For me, I think the key to solving conflicts is communication and making sure everyone's side is heard and understood correctly. This week we learned different conflict resolutions. These consist of conciliatory gestures, avoidance, altering the group structure, appealing to a higher value, I need you and you need me, direct order, communication, seek additional information, outside intervention, compromise, developing new resources, and democratic vote. I think a combination of all these situations, depending on the circumstances, is the best way to handle conflicts.