My Side of the Story

Social Studies

What You Need

• a quiet, supervised space for writing
• time set aside for a student conference

What to Do

1. When students are in the middle of an argument or fight, or are upset because of a recent conflict, separate them immediately. Bring them to a supervised place to write. Without too much discussion, tell the students to write down everything they can remember about the argument, concentrating on specific facts (words, actions other people involved, etc.). Have them sign and date the report.

2. Ask students to read over their writing, noting what else they might like to include. Read the reports yourself. Note your own questions or comments.

3. When possible, bring the students back together. Invite each to read his/her side of the story without interruption. Facilitate a discussion that separates actual facts from feelings or interpretations. (Students will often realize at this point that the basis for the argument was a misunderstood comment or look.) Work toward a consensus about what happened. Establish fair consequences if school or classroom rules were broken.

4. Have the students brainstorm possible alternatives to fighting. They can work together to develop a list of ways to address the problem without getting in trouble.

Teaching Options

• Keep a file of all reports, using these to help students set short- and long-term self-discipline goals.

• Use peer mediators as first line counseling and discipline for student conflicts.

• To train students how to write this kind of report, have them write about an incident from a story or novel, using the first person to tell a character's side of the story.