That Bugs Me Lesson

That Bugs Me!

4th Grade Guidance

This week's lessons all incorporated conflict resolution. For the fourth grade, we did That Bugs Me! This was a fun lesson with a cute activity to teach students to recognize things that bug them, that we all do things that bug others, and how to resolve conflict that may arise. 

I purchased this lesson on TeachersPayTeachers for $3.00-definitely worth the investment :) The store is called The Learning Tree by Kimberly Santana. Along with the supplies to make the bugs, it comes with some GREAT activity sheets for recognizing feelings, conflict resolution, and planning ahead to make positive choices. 

Link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Learning-Tree

I started the lesson with asking the students what they thought conflict meant. Examples included fighting, not getting along, arguing, etc. After we had a great definition for conflict, I asked the students what they thought resolution meant. Examples included solving, making up, etc. 

We then put the two words together and discussed what it meant to have a conflict and how we could resolve conflict. Overall, the students did a great job with this discussion!

I then wrote on the board "What Bugs You?". I instructed the students that we would not be using any names, just behaviors/actions that bug them. Student examples included: 

• Being bossy
• Being jealous
• Using mean words
• Name calling
• Tattle-tale
• Interrupting 
• Blurting out
• Not playing fair/cheating

I then wrote on the board "Things You May Do That Bugs Others". I explained that we all sometimes do things that bugs others. I gave them an example that I know sometimes I interrupt others and that bugs other people. They did a great job being self aware and giving examples of some of their behaviors that may bug others. 

After this discussion, I passed out all the supplies they would need for their bug. Each student receives: a bug head, body, wings, eyes, and antennas (pipe cleaners). Students also received a circle with writing lines that goes on the bug body. 

I asked the students to put their bug together first. I then instructed them to write "It bugs me when.." on one of the bug wings. On the lined paper they were instructed to write something that bugs them. 

Once their bugs were all put together, we went over some of the things students wrote and how we could resolve the conflict that may arise. 

Overall, I LOVED this lesson! It was a super creative way to discuss conflict (which sometimes can bring negativity) and how to resolve conflict! The lesson was not only very engaging for the students, it allowed them a moment of self reflection on things that bug them and some of their behaviors that may bug others. 

Here are a couple pictures of the finished project: