Mediation Mastery Teacher Resource Peer Mediation Mastery
Instructional Guide for Peer Mediator Training
Tier 2 Support
Duration
30 Minutes
Audience
9th Grade Peer Mediators
Approach
Trauma-Informed Teaching,
Materials Needed
• Mediation Presentation Slides
• Discussion Guide Handout
• Conflict Management Worksheet
• Role-Play Scenario Cards
The Goal
This session equips student leaders with conflict management skills through a trauma-informed lens. By mastering restorative practices, peer mediators empower their community to handle disagreements constructively, fostering a sense of safety and belonging within the 9th-grade cohort.
Core Objectives
Identify underlying causes of peer conflict.
Practice neutral facilitation techniques as a mediator.
Apply active listening and empathy to de-escalate heated situations.
Instructional Sequence
5 mins
Introduction & Framing
Welcome the mediators. Introduce the goal: enhancing their toolkit for conflict management. Emphasize that their role is not to "judge" but to "bridge." Discuss how peer mediation directly impacts school climate.
10 mins
Guided Discussion
Use the Discussion Guide . Facilitate a dialogue about the "why" behind conflicts. Help students recognize that many conflicts stem from unmet needs or misunderstandings rather than malice.
10 mins
Activity: Restorative Role-Play
Divide into trios (2 disputants, 1 mediator). Assign Scenario Cards . Mediators must focus on finding "middle ground." After 5 minutes, pause to discuss: What was the hardest part? What phrasing worked best?
5 mins
Synthesis & Reflection
Distribute the Conflict Management Worksheet . Students record personal reflections and the top 3 strategies they identified during the role-play.
Facilitator's Note
Remind students that they are "Peace Architects." Their job is to build bridges between people who feel separated by conflict. Encourage them to lead with curiosity instead of criticism.
Mediation Mastery Discussion Guide Mediation Field Guide
Discussion & Reflection Notes
Training Module
Peer Mediation
"The mediator is a bridge-builder, not a judge. We listen to understand, not to decide who is right."
1
Identifying the "Spark"
What are some common conflicts you observe among peers? What are the underlying causes (stress, rumors, misunderstandings)?
2
The Mediator's Toolkit
How can a peer mediator help resolve these conflicts? What specific actions can you take to facilitate communication?
What to look for:
• Body language (crossed arms, eye contact)
• Tone of voice (sarcasm vs. frustration)
• Unsaid needs (respect, apology, space)
Phrases to use:
• "What I hear you saying is..."
• "How did that make you feel?"
• "What would a fair solution look like?"
Peer Mediation Mastery Training • 9th Grade Support
Mediation Mastery Worksheet Resolution Record
Conflict Management Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Personal Reflection
Describe a conflict scenario you have experienced (at school, home, or elsewhere) and how you handled it at the time.
New Strategies
List three specific strategies you learned today that can help in conflict resolution:
1
2
3
Peer Mediator Self-Check
Did you maintain neutrality and practice active listening today?
Yes
Working on it
Mediation Mastery Role Play Cards Mediation in Action
Role-Play Scenario Cards
Instructions: Cut along the dashed lines to separate the cards. Assign roles (Student A, Student B, and Mediator) for each scenario.
Scenario 01
The Project Push-Back
Topic: Group project contribution disagreement.
The Context:
Two students are working on a history poster. Student A feels they have done all the research, while Student B has only "decorated" the edges.
Mediator Goal:
Help them create a fair division of labor for the remaining tasks and address the feeling of being undervalued.
Scenario 02
The Rumor Mill
Topic: Friendship misunderstanding and heated argument.
The Context:
A misunderstanding about a text message has led to a heated argument in the hallway. Both friends feel betrayed and embarrassed.
Mediator Goal:
De-escalate the emotions. Focus on clarifying the initial message and identifying how both parties can communicate better in the future.
Scenario 03
Resource Rivalry
Topic: Disagreement over shared classroom resources.
The Context:
In art class, there is only one specialized tablet for drawing. Two students both claim they need it for their final project today.
Mediator Goal:
Facilitate a compromise (e.g., timed turns or prioritized tasks) while helping both students feel that their project is important.
Peer Mediation Mastery Training Set A
