Kindness
Your friend opens their backpack and an avalanche of papers and snacks explodes onto the floor. What’s the kind thing to do?
Ask them if they need help picking up their materials.
Your teacher says, “You did a great job explaining your ideas, but you need to add more details.”
What would be a respectful reaction?
"Thank you, I'll go back and add more details."
You accidentally bump into someone in the hallway and their papers fall everywhere.
How can you take accountability for your actions?
Apologize and help them clean up their papers.
You wave to someone in the hallway, but they don’t wave back and now you feel confused.
What’s another way to look at the situation?
They may not have seen you waving.
Your friend trips and falls playing soccer during gym. Everyone laughs. What's a kind response?
Help them up and make sure they’re okay!
A friend asks you to stop talking over them while they're talking.
What is an example of a defensive reaction?
"You interrupt me all the time!"
You forgot to turn in your work and tell the teacher, “I just didn’t feel like doing it.”
Is this taking accountability or making an excuse?
Making an excuse.
A student gets quiet during class and puts their head down. It looks like they are ignoring the classwork.
What's another reason their head could be down?
Someone answers a question wrong in class and some of the peers start calling them "dumb". What could you do to show them kindness?
Stay respectful, encourage them, or help them find the right answer.
Your teacher says you were off task and distracting others during class.
What response shows accountability?
“You’re right. I should have stayed focused and not distracted other people.”
During group work, you spend most of the time talking instead of helping. Later, your group is upset. What could you say to take accountability?
“I should have focused more and helped the group.”
Your friend gets upset after losing a game.
What’s another explanation besides “they’re overreacting”?
They may feel disappointed or embarrassed.
A visiting student joins your class and looks nervous when they come in for Homeroom. What is something kind you could do?
Try talking to them or show them around the classroom to make them feel included.
A teacher offers to help you after you are struggling with an assignment. You respond, “Why do I need help? I think I’m doing it right already.”
Is this response defensive or respectful?
Defensive
A teacher notices you are off-task during independent work time. You say, “Sorry, I was feeling distracted. I will get back on track."
Is this accountability or an excuse?
Accountability
A classmate keeps asking questions during class, and some students get annoyed.
What’s another way to understand their behavior?
They may feel confused and need some extra time to understand the lesson.
Your class is doing a competition and one of your teammates keeps messing up. Some of the other peers want to kick them out of the group. What's the kind thing to do?
Encourage your teammate, remind them everyone makes mistakes. Tell your other peers they should be more respectful and supportive.
You worked really hard on an assignment, but your teacher gives you a lot of corrections. You feel frustrated and want to give up.
What would be a good strategy to use to help you stay calm?
Ask for help from your teacher or take a break!
You copied part of a friend’s assignment because you were stressed and running out of time. The teacher asks about it the next day. What would taking accountability sound like?
“I should not have been copying, I should have asked for help instead."
Your friend stops talking to you during the school day. Before assuming they’re mad, what’s another possibility?
They may be distracted, tired, or dealing with something personal.