Mindful Sparring

A Active Listening: What is your partner's argument and evidence? Partner Name: ______________

Paraphrase their claim accurately without mocking or exaggerating:

B My Courteous Challenge / Alternative Consequence Must use a stem from the toolbox

Deliver a challenge focused squarely on outcomes and evidence:

C The Synthesis: Can we find a hybrid compromise or shared value?

What middle-ground or creative redesign might satisfy both groups?

Part 4: SEL Self-Reflection Checklist Check all that you practiced today

Patience: I listened without interrupting, eye-rolling, or mocking. Separation: I challenged the idea, not my peer's intelligence or character. Evidence: I cited facts and logical consequences rather than pure gut feeling. Flexibility: I remained open to adjusting my perspective based on new points.

Final Reflection: Did hearing your partner's argument shift your decision? Why or why not?

Mindful Sparring • Student Deliberation Packet Page 2 of 2

Teacher Coaching Moves for Heated or Stalled Deliberations

Personal Attack:

"That idea is totally dumb." → Intervention: "Time out. Remember our golden rule: critique the idea, honor the person. Rephrase that as an unintended consequence."

Talking Over Peer:

Interrupting mid-thought. → Intervention: "Hold the buzzer. Step 2 requires you to paraphrase what you heard before you can counter. What was their main point?"

Rigid Stance:

"I will never agree." → Intervention: "Our goal isn't to crush the other side. What is one valid concern your partner raised that your plan must account for?"

Guided Debrief Questions (Post-Debate Circle)

1. Emotional Self-Regulation:

"What physical sensations did you notice when your partner disagreed with you? How did using sentence stems help you stay grounded?"

2. Intellectual Humility:

"Did anyone uncover an unintended consequence that made them reconsider their stance? Why is changing your mind a sign of strength?"

SEL Competency Assessment Rubric

Dimension

Level 1: Developing

Level 2: Approaching

Level 3: Proficient

Level 4: Exemplary

Respectful Disagreement & Decorum Tone, body language, phrasing

Interrupts, uses accusatory language ("You're wrong"), defensive body posture.

Refrains from insults but dismisses counterarguments without paraphrasing.

Uses stems consistently; accurately paraphrases peer before stating rebuttal.

Actively validates peer's underlying values; creates psychological safety; seamlessly seeks common ground.

Consequential Decision-Making Matrix use, trade-offs, evidence

Decides on emotion alone; ignores matrix criteria and trade-offs.

Scores matrix but struggles to link evidence to concrete consequences.

Weighs pros/cons systematically; cites 2+ specific long-term consequences.

Synthesizes competing stakeholder needs into an innovative, evidence-backed compromise solution.

Mindful Sparring • Teacher Facilitation Guide Page 2 of 2