🪶 300-word Summary

Conflicts among students are inevitable in any classroom, but how a teacher handles them can define the classroom culture for the entire year. In this article, TobiraAI presents the “RESOLUTION Framework”, an 11-step model developed through years of practical teaching experience in Japan.

It begins with R–Report and E–Engage Guardians, emphasizing calm assessment and transparency through early parental contact. Steps like Set the Scene and Open Declaration ensure fairness and neutrality. Then, through detailed event mapping (L–U–T), teachers reconstruct what happened, verify facts with witnesses, and move toward Identify Responsibility and Open Heart Session, where students can safely express their emotions.

Finally, the teacher calls parents before students return home—this “Final Resolution” step prevents misunderstandings and promotes trust. The entire process reframes “conflict resolution” from punishment to “relationship re-design.”

The framework concludes with a reminder: prevention is communication. As TobiraAI humorously notes, “Mediation is a lot of work—so I tell my students: no fights allowed! Because it’s too much trouble!”

Ultimately, pre-declaration and transparency are the most effective tools for maintaining peace in the classroom—and nurturing emotional intelligence in children.

Full English Translation (complete, no omissions)

My name is TobiraAI, a humble educator living in this area. Thank you always for reading. Please take your time and relax as you read this.

The goal of this post is simple:

“Whatever happens, advance notice is essential.”

Details below.

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A Story from One Afternoon

One afternoon after class, a small commotion broke out.

“Teacher! Ando and Baba are fighting!” gasped Seto, running to tell me.

The teacher immediately confirmed the situation and called both students’ guardians before sending them home:
“I’ll be mediating now, please don’t worry.”

In a quiet classroom, the three sat together.
Ando and Baba side by side, the teacher facing them.
An A4 sheet was placed in front of the teacher—divided in two columns: “Ando” on the left, “Baba” on the right.

The teacher spoke calmly:
“I am on neither side. Please tell me only the facts.”

Ando started:
“I first took Baba’s eraser.”
“When was that?”
“About ten minutes ago.”
The teacher wrote under Ando’s column: Took Baba’s eraser, 10 minutes ago.

“Baba, is that true?”
Baba nodded quietly.
The teacher marked a circle on Baba’s side (meaning ‘acknowledged’).
“Yes. I got angry and hit him.”
The teacher wrote: Got angry, hit Ando.

“Ando, did he hit you?”
Ando nodded. A circle was marked again.
“And why did you take his eraser?”
“Because Baba said bad things about me.”
Baba interrupted: “No, I didn’t!”
The teacher stopped him. “Hold on—Ando’s turn to speak. What exactly did he say?”

Step by step, the teacher arranged the timeline, confirming and writing everything down.
If their stories disagreed, witnesses were called.

Gradually, the truth became clear:
Ando played a prank first; Baba retaliated physically.
The teacher had both acknowledge their actions and apologize.

“The important thing,” said the teacher, “is that you both faced the facts honestly.”

Then the teacher kept Baba behind.
“Is there anything left unsaid?”
Baba whispered, “I actually want to make up.”

Ando was called back.
“Do you have something to say to Baba?”
“I think I was wrong, too.”

The two apologized again. The classroom softened.

Finally, the teacher called both parents again:
“They admitted their actions and apologized. If they seem unsettled at home, please let me know.”

Thus, the small fight ended peacefully—with the courage to face the truth.

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The “RESOLUTION” Framework

— Turning Student Conflicts into a Learning Restart —

This framework is what I have been practicing daily, now organized into a clear structure.

R – Report
Receive the report from a third party (like Seto) and grasp the situation calmly. Avoid emotional reactions or labeling (“those two again”).

E – Engage Guardians
Before mediation, contact guardians to ensure transparency. Tell them, “We’ll be mediating now.” If they ask, “Should I do anything?”—simply reassure them that all is under control.

S – Set the Scene
Arrange seating fairly. Students side by side, teacher opposite. Physical symmetry brings psychological fairness.

O – Open Declaration
State clearly: “I am neutral. Let’s discuss only the facts.”

L – Line of Events (1)
Start by confirming what happened first, in chronological order. Cross-check each statement: “Do you both agree this is correct?”

U – Unfold the Sequence
Clarify what happened next, step by step. Keep emotions low; ensure each side speaks without interruption. Confirm mutual understanding and write everything down—because halfway through, memories blur.

T – Test with Witness
If accounts differ, bring in witnesses. If unclear, mark that point as pending.

I – Identify Responsibility
Determine accountability and guide apologies based on facts. In most cases, both students apologize—to each other and to the teacher—for causing trouble.

O – Open Heart Session 1
With one student outside, ask the other: “Is there anything you couldn’t say? How do you really feel?”

N – Next Reflection
Switch roles and repeat. If inconsistencies appear, return to “U” and review facts again.

★ Final Resolution
Before students go home, call their parents:
“They have acknowledged the facts and apologized.”
Ask for their continued support. Also, ensure both families feel reassured—especially when wondering how the “other parent” reacted.

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The “RSA Agreement”

Sometimes, even after mediation, relationships between parents are strained, which worsens the children’s conflict—especially before entrance exams.
I once received parent complaints about friendships right before exam season. In such cases, reconciliation may be impossible.

So I tell them:
“Let’s not aim for a positive relationship. Let’s make it neutral. Avoid each other until exams end. Afterward, you’ll attend different schools anyway.”
I even had them sign a handwritten “agreement.”
Let’s call it the RSA — Relationship Safety Agreement, my own term. (Taking too many international classes makes me invent acronyms!)

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Five Critical Points Teachers Must Never Miss

1️⃣ Mediate before students go home.
Once home, they’ll tell a one-sided story. Some parents ask, “Was my child at fault?”—answer, “We’re still investigating.” Tears don’t always mean victimhood.

2️⃣ Always declare neutrality.
This prevents bias and builds trust.

3️⃣ After confirming events, call parents and say:
“Your child admitted the facts.” This is crucial.

4️⃣ The final call must happen before they go home.
Do it whichever order, but the key is before returning home. Prevent comments like “The teacher made me apologize!”

5️⃣ Never skip a RESOLUTION step.
Skipping even one may trigger major complaints. Handle each with care.

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The Essence of Mediation

Mediating fights is not “anger cleanup.”
It is relationship redesign.
RESOLUTION provides the roadmap for children to rebuild their world.

It’s tedious, yes—so much so that I joke about it in class:
“No fighting allowed! Why? Because it’s too much work for me!”
Laughter helps the message sink in.

Ultimately, prevention means communication.
Advance notice saves you from post-crisis chaos.

Thus, the quiz answer is: advance.
Dealing with things afterward only adds trouble.

Thank you very much for reading.
If you enjoyed this post, please leave a “like.”
I also look forward to your comments and discussions.
Your support truly keeps me motivated.

With sincere gratitude,
Warm Regards,
TobiraAI