Risk It or Lock It: Conflict Edition

Risk It or Lock It – Conflict Resolution Edition Game Show Style SEL Game

Turn conflict resolution and social emotional learning into a game students actually want to play! Risk It or Lock It: Conflict Resolution Edition is a fun, interactive Google Slides SEL game that helps middle school students practice conflict resolution, communication, problem solving, decision making, and de escalation strategies through realistic social situations.

Instead of simply telling students to “walk away” or “use your words,” this game gives them opportunities to think through what escalates conflict, identify strategies that can calm a situation, and choose responses that can help move a conflict toward resolution.

Students play in teams, select “backpacks,” respond to conflict resolution scenarios, and decide whether to “Risk It” by continuing to play or “Lock It” by accepting the negotiator’s offer. The result is a high energy game show style SEL activity that gets students discussing, debating, collaborating, and thinking about the consequences of different choices.

KEY FEATURES

15 Editable Conflict Resolution Scenarios

Realistic middle school conflict situations that get students thinking about communication, perspective taking, problem solving, escalation, de escalation, and appropriate responses.

Conflict Resolution Mini Lesson

A short introductory section gives students helpful background before they play, including:

• What causes conflict to escalate

• What helps de escalate conflict

• Communication strategies

• What to avoid during an argument

• How to pause and reset before responding

Fun Game Show Audio

Optional sound effects for correct and incorrect answers, suspense, and celebrations help create a high energy game show experience. Audio can be muted if preferred.

Interactive Game Board

Students select clickable backpacks to reveal hidden conflict scenarios. The interactive format keeps students involved and makes the game easy to navigate.

Multiple Ways to Play

Use with teams, small groups, counseling groups, advisory, or a whole class. Students can discuss their answers before making a final choice.

Fully Editable Google Slides

Customize scenarios and other editable elements to meet the needs of your students, classroom, counseling group, or school.

Low Prep

Open the resource, make your copy, review or customize the scenarios, and you are ready to play!

WHAT STUDENTS ARE PRACTICING:

• Conflict resolution

• De escalation strategies

• Communication skills

• Problem solving

• Decision making

• Perspective taking

• Active listening

• Managing disagreements

• Identifying conflict triggers

• Recognizing escalation

• Choosing appropriate responses

• Thinking about consequences

• Knowing when to pause or take a break

• Finding solutions instead of trying to “win” an argument

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

• Interactive Google Slides game board with clickable links

• 15 editable “backpacks” with hidden conflict scenarios

• Conflict resolution mini lesson

• Conflict escalator / de escalation information

• Negotiator offer slides

• Fun optional game show audio cues

• Step by step teacher directions with editing tips

• Student directions for easy gameplay

• Reusable game board with master slide

PERFECT FOR:

• Middle school SEL

• Conflict resolution lessons

• School counseling

• Counseling groups

• Advisory

• Social skills groups

• Classroom community building

• Health class

• Character education

• Morning meetings

• Homeroom

• Behavior support

• Problem solving lessons

• Communication skills lessons

• De escalation lessons

GREAT FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED PRACTICE WITH

“What should I say?”

“Should I respond or walk away?”

“Is this making the conflict better or worse?”

“What could I do differently?”

“When should I take a break?”

“How can I solve this without making it bigger?”

TIME NEEDED

Approximately 20–45 minutes, depending on the number of teams, questions, and discussion.

Students will love the suspense, strategy, competition, and game show experience, while you get a practical way to teach and reinforce conflict resolution skills without another worksheet or lecture.

Looking for more game based SEL activities? Check out the other Risk It or Lock It editions in my store!