Years ago in my 8th grade math class, a conflict emerged during a group project where one student felt like they were doing most of the work, while the other two felt they were being excluded. I noticed the tension and decided to step in, organizing a collaborative problem-solving meeting with the group. I created a safe space where each student could share their perspective—the first student felt overwhelmed by the workload, and the other two felt left out of the process. After acknowledging their feelings, I guided them toward finding a solution together. They decided to divide the tasks more clearly, with one student handling the calculations, another working on the written explanation, and the third creating the presentation. They also agreed to hold check-ins to ensure everyone was contributing equally. Reflecting on the process, I felt that it helped the students develop better communication and teamwork skills. The project was completed on time, with the conflict resolved, and the students more confident in their ability to collaborate effectively.
