Iceberg Model Teacher Guide Deep Sea Expedition
Mission Log: Lesson 1
Resource Type
Teacher Guide
Objective
Students will be able to define "Position" and "Interest" and use the Iceberg Model to visualize how surface-level arguments often disguise deeper, unmet needs.
The "Orange Story" Hook (10 mins)
Tell the class: Two siblings are fighting over the last orange in the kitchen. Both insist, "I want the orange!" They end up cutting it in half.
The Twist: One sibling wanted the juice to drink. The other sibling wanted the zest to bake a cake. By cutting it in half, neither got what they fully needed.
Discussion: If they had shared why they wanted it, they both could have had 100% of what they needed.
Quick Stats
60 Minutes
7th Grade
Analytical Skills
Instructional Steps
1
Introduction to the Iceberg (15 mins)
Present the Slide Deck. Explain that the Position is the visible part (the "What") and the Interest is the submerged part (the "Why").
2
Concept Application (15 mins)
Review common student conflicts (e.g., wanting the front seat of a car, fighting over a video game). Help students identify the hidden interests: Respect, Fairness, Fun, or Autonomy.
3
Submerged Scenarios Worksheet (20 mins)
Distribute the "Iceberg Analysis Worksheet". Students analyze three scenarios to find the hidden interests beneath the surface positions.
Teacher Cheat Sheet: Interest Identification
Position (The "What")
Specific demands
"I want X" or "Do Y"
Rigid and narrow
Easily leads to win-lose battles
Interest (The "Why")
Unmet needs or values
Fears or concerns
Flexible and broad
Leads to win-win solutions
Sample Scenario Answer Key
Scenario: "Give me back my hoodie!"
Position: I want my clothes back immediately.
Possible Interests: Respect (you didn't ask), Reliability (I need it for tomorrow), Autonomy (I want control over my stuff).
Scenario: "I'm not sitting with you at lunch anymore."
Position: I am ending our lunch routine.
Possible Interests: Belonging (I want to fit in with a new group), Safety (I'm being teased for our friendship), Growth (I want to make new friends).
Facilitation Tip
When students identify an interest, always ask: "Could someone have a different interest for that same position?" This reinforces that interests are unique to the individual and requires deep listening.
Iceberg Model Slides The Tip of the Iceberg
Beneath the Surface Conflict Navigation
A Simple Orange?
Two siblings want the last orange in the bowl.
"It's mine!"
"No, I saw it first!"
The "Solution"?
They cut it in half.
What went wrong?
Person A wanted:
THE JUICE
To make a refreshing drink.
Person B wanted:
THE ZEST
To bake an orange cake.
They both could have had 100%!
If they had shared their "Why" instead of their "What".
The Iceberg Model
Position
What you say you want
Interest
The "Why" / The Deep Need
Positions
Stated demands. Visible, rigid, and usually lead to conflict.
Interests
Deep needs. Hidden, flexible, and often reveal a win-win path.
Beneath the Surface
What are we actually looking for?
Safety
Feeling secure
Belonging
Fitting in
Respect
Being valued
Autonomy
Choice/Control
"When you know the interest, you can solve the conflict."
Five Whys Teacher Guide Root Cause Investigator
Field Guide: Lesson 2
Resource Type
Teacher Guide
Objective
Students will master the "Five Whys" technique to move past surface-level symptoms and identify the root cause of a conflict or behavior.
The Hook: The Mystery (10 mins)
"A student, Marcus, arrives late to class for the 4th time this week. He looks grumpy and refuses to open his book."
Ask the class: What is the visible problem? (He's late/disrespectful).
Quick Stats
60 Minutes
7th Grade
Skill: Root Cause Analysis
Instructional Steps
1
The Power of "Why" (15 mins)
Use the Slide Deck to introduce the Five Whys. Explain that it’s like peeling an onion. Each "Why" removes a layer of excuses to get to the core.
2
Probing vs. Prying (10 mins)
Critical Distinction:
Teach students that "Why?" can sound aggressive. Encourage them to use phrases like: "What makes that important?" or "Tell me more about that."
3
Detective Partners (25 mins)
Students use the "Investigator’s Notebook" worksheet. One student shares a minor conflict (real or fictional), and the other uses the Five Whys to find the root.
Demonstration: The Onion Peel
1. Why was Marcus late?
Because he missed the bus.
2. Why did he miss the bus?
Because he over-slept.
3. Why did he over-sleep?
Because he stayed up until 2:00 AM.
4. Why did he stay up so late?
He was taking care of his younger sister while his mom worked.
5. The Root Cause (Interest)
Marcus values family responsibility and loyalty , but he is exhausted and needs support .
Common Student Struggles
Hitting a Dead End
"I don't know why."
Fix: Ask them to guess. "If you had to guess why someone might feel that way, what would it be?"
Looping
"Because I'm mad. Why? Because I'm mad."
Fix: Rephrase. "What is the feeling behind the anger? Is it disappointment? Sadness?"
Five Whys Investigator Worksheet Investigator's Notebook
Case File: The Five Whys Technique
Date:
Agent:
Mission Briefing
Conflicts are like weeds. If you only pull the top, they grow back. To solve them, you must pull the root . Your job is to use the "Five Whys" to dig beneath the surface behavior to find the deep interest.
Part 1: Sample Evidence
"Chloe won't let her brother use her gaming headset, even though she isn't using it."
1
Initial Why
Why won't Chloe share? Because she's protective of her stuff.
2
Second Why
Why is she protective of it? Because her brother broke her last pair.
3
Third Why
4
Fourth Why
5
Fifth Why (The Root)
Part 2: Active Investigation
Partner up. Ask your partner about a recent conflict or annoyance. Use the Five Whys to dig deep.
The Surface Problem (Position):
Why 1:
Why 2:
Why 3:
Why 4:
Final Why (The Root):
Core Needs Slides The Drivers of Behavior
Core Human Needs in Conflict
What are they really saying?
"Stop ignoring me when your other friends are around!"
"You always take my stuff without asking!"
The Secret Language
People rarely say "My core need for belonging is threatened." They say things that sound like attacks or complaints.
The 4 Buckets of Need
Safety
"I need to feel physically and emotionally secure."
Belonging
"I need to feel included and valued by others."
Respect
"I need my skills and character to be recognized."
Autonomy
"I need to have control and choice over my life."
Autonomy
When people feel controlled or forced , they often push back—even if the request is reasonable.
The Complaint:
"Don't tell me how to do my project! I'll do it my way!"
The Real Need:
Freedom
To be the boss of their own actions and decisions.
Belonging
The Real Need:
Connection
To know they are a part of the group and liked by peers.
When people feel excluded or invisible , they might act out to get attention or pull away entirely.
The Complaint:
"Fine, go without me. I didn't want to go anyway."
Core Needs Tracker Worksheet The Needs Tracker
Analyzing the Drivers of Conflict
Name & Date
Safety
Security
Belonging
Connection
Respect
Value
Autonomy
Choice
Part 1: The Complaint Decoder
Read the complaint. Which Core Need is most likely being threatened? Write the need on the line.
"I'm not doing it just because you told me to!"
"They're whispering about me... what did I do?"
"You never listen to my ideas for the group project."
"I don't feel like I can trust anyone in this class."
Part 2: Case Analysis
Case Study: The Bench Cold War
"Sam has sat at the same lunch table with Jordan for three years. Today, Jordan brought a new group of friends and didn't save Sam a seat. When Sam tried to sit down, Jordan said, 'Oh, we're actually full today, sorry!' Sam walked away and hasn't spoken to Jordan since."
Stated Position:
Threatened Core Need:
Explain the "Why":
Case Study: The Script Stealer
"Mia is the lead writer for the drama club play. The club advisor, Mr. Henderson, completely rewrote the ending of her script without telling her. Mia is now refusing to attend rehearsals and says she wants her name taken off the program."
Stated Position:
Threatened Core Need:
Explain the "Why":
Group Chat Dossier Handout Classified Dossier
Subject: The "Friday Night" Explosion
Evidence File #802
Incident Report
What started as a simple group project for History class turned into a social media "blackout." Three friends (Alex, Taylor, and Jamie) are no longer speaking. A fourth person (Riley) is caught in the middle.
Evidence Item 01: Group Chat "History Heroes"
Alex
I'm done. I did all the slides. Nobody else contributed. I'm taking my name off the project.
Taylor
Are you kidding?? I sent you the research on Thursday! You just ignored it and did your own thing because you're a control freak.
Jamie
I was at basketball practice! I said I'd do the citations tonight. Why is everyone yelling? Also, Alex, why didn't you invite me to get pizza after practice? I saw the photo.
Item 02: Social Media Screenshot
Caption: "Besties & Pizza! #NoStress #ProjectDone"
Tagged: @Alex, @Taylor
Item 03: Intercepted Note
"Riley— I can't even sit at the lunch table tomorrow. Taylor and Alex are fighting over the project, but I think it's actually about Taylor feeling left out from the pizza thing. Jamie is mad at everyone because they feel invisible. I just want us to pass History!"
- Anonymous
Your Mission:
Use the "Conflict Map Blueprint" to identify the position and hidden interest of each person involved.
Conflict Map Blueprint Worksheet Conflict Map Blueprint
Multi-Party Relationship Analysis
Agent Name
Mapping the Web:
Using the "Friday Night Explosion" dossier, identify the surface **Position** and the submerged **Interest** for each person. Then, draw lines to show where interests collide or connect.
A
Alex
Position (The "What"):
Interest (The "Why"):
T
Taylor
Position (The "What"):
Interest (The "Why"):
J
Jamie
Position (The "What"):
Interest (The "Why"):
R
Riley
Position (The "What"):
Interest (The "Why"):
Final Intelligence Analysis
Looking at your map, what is the **core conflict** that is hiding beneath the surface arguments about the project? How are these four people actually connected?
Deep Solutions Slides Solving for the Deep Need
Moving Beyond Compromise
Is "Meeting in the Middle" enough?
The Half-Orange Problem
Compromise often means neither person gets what they actually need. It's a "lose-lose" that looks like a "win-win."
The Deep Solution
Addresses the Interest (submerged) rather than just the Position (surface).
Splitting doesn't solve.
The Solution Framework
1
Identify
Name the deep human need (Safety, Belonging, Respect, Autonomy).
2
Brainstorm
Find 3 ways to meet that need without touching the surface position.
3
Validate
Ask: "Does this solution actually fix the hidden pain?"
Case: The Group Chat
Position
"Alex wants to do the whole project alone."
Interest
Respect & Competence
Alex is afraid the group will get a bad grade.
A Deep Solution:
Set up a "Quality Check" system where Alex gives final approval.
Assign Taylor and Jamie high-research tasks they are experts in.
This solves for Alex's fear while keeping the team together.
Your Mission
"Don't just fix the fight. Fix the heart of the person fighting."
Step 1
Pick a case
Step 2
Map the need
Step 3
Pitch the cure
Solution Pitch Worksheet Solution Architect
Designing for the Deep Need
Project Lead
Phase 1: Case Selection
Select the conflict you are solving today. Briefly state the surface argument.
The Friday Night Explosion (Alex vs. Taylor vs. Jamie) The Bench Cold War (Sam vs. Jordan) Custom Case (Identify your own)
The Surface Position (What they are fighting about):
Phase 2: Deep Needs Analysis
Identify the core human needs for the primary parties involved.
Person A:
Enter Name
Core Need(s):
Safety Belonging Respect Autonomy
Person B:
Enter Name
Core Need(s):
Safety Belonging Respect Autonomy
Phase 3: The Deep Solution Pitch
Propose a solution that satisfies the hidden interests of BOTH people. Why will this work better than a simple compromise?
The Proprosal:
Why this meets the deep needs:
Iceberg Mastery Test Student Beneath the Surface
Unit Assessment: Conflict Navigation
Name
Section 1: The Iceberg Vocabulary
Match the term to its definition.
1. Position
2. Interest
3. Root Cause
4. Autonomy
A. The fundamental reason behind a problem or conflict.
B. The visible demand or "what" someone says they want.
C. The need for control and choice over one's life.
D. The hidden "why" or deep human need driving behavior.
Section 2: The Five Whys
Complete the Five Whys chain for the following scenario: "A student constantly interrupts the teacher with jokes."
Why 1?
To get attention from classmates.
Why?
Why?
Why?
Root:
Section 3: Designing Solutions
Scenario:
"Jordan is upset because their best friend, Avery, is spending all their time with a new person. Jordan's position is: 'I'm not talking to Avery anymore.' Jordan's hidden interest is Belonging/Security ."
A. Why is "silent treatment" (Jordan's position) a failing strategy for meeting their deep need?
B. Propose a solution that addresses Jordan's need for belonging WITHOUT Avery having to stop seeing their new friend.
