Sit in a circle and ask the group to close their eyes and think about a time when they had an argument with someone. Pass the sentence: ‘When I had an argument I felt…’ around the circle.
Each person in the group completes the sentence. If someone repeats something said before (which will happen) they change places with that person.
Next read out the following short story: One day in Max and Daniel’s class there was a new activity to do with a machine that recorded sound. Both of them wanted to use it first. They started to argue, and ended up fighting. Max pushed Daniel who fell onto the machine and it got damaged.
Ask the group to imagine they are Max. Pass the sentence: ‘If I were Max I would…’ around the circle.
Now explain that you want to act out the scene and see how Max and Daniel can make up. Ask for volunteers who can take the roles of Daniel and Max. Make sure they only act and do not actually hurt each other!
After playing the scene that you read, they should act out how they can become friends again.
After the play, ask the group if they have any other ideas for making up that they want to show in a play. Get new volunteers into the middle to play the scene. You can have a few rounds to see different possibilities for reconciliation.
Discussion Questions
- Which method of making up would you choose if you were in an argument?
- Can you remember a situation where you had an argument with one of your friends and you made up afterwards?
- How did you do it?
- Why is it important to say sorry to each other (and to really mean it)?
- Have you ever had to help sort out a quarrel between your friends? How did you do this? What did you say?
- What can you do to stop big arguments? (For example, suggest that you talk about it later, count to ten, keep calm, apologise).
This activity is from IFM-SEI Peace Education Handbook
