I-Statements
Your friend takes your favorite blue crayon off your desk without asking. Instead of yelling, "You stole my crayon!", finish this statement: "I feel frustrated when you take my supplies without asking. Can you please..."
return it
"I can't do this hard math problem," a growth mindset adds this powerful 3-letter word to the end of the sentence.
YET
Before you can fix a problem, you have to do this important first step to know what is actually wrong.
identify (or name) the problem?
You feel a big wave of anger rising in your chest. Name one simple physical trick you can do right away using your breath to help calm your body down.
deep breaths, squeezing fists
Saying "Thanks a lot" with a smile sounds polite, but saying it with rolled eyes and a flat voice means something completely different. What is the word for using a tone that means the opposite of what you actually say?
sarcasm
omeone bumps into you in the lunch line and you spill your milk. Rather than saying, "You're so clumsy!", how would you start an "I" statement to tell them how you feel?
I feel upset (or surprised/annoyed)
Fixed Mindset says, "Mistakes mean I'm not smart." What does a Growth Mindset say about making mistakes?
Mistakes help my brain grow
You and a classmate both want to play with the same basketball during recess. Name one fair strategy to solve this problem without arguing.
taking turns (or sharing, setting a timer, flipping a coin, or playing together)
Noticeable signs like a fast heart rate, clenched fists, or a hot face are called body cues. Why is paying attention to these body cues helpful?
because they warn you that your feelings are getting big before you lose control?
Your tone of voice isn't about the words you choose. What three clues about your voice make up your tone?
volume (loud/soft), pitch (high/low), and speed (fast/slow)? (Accept any combination describing voice volume, pitch, or speed!)
Turn this "You" statement into an "I" statement: "You are being way too loud and ruining my drawing!"
I feel distracted when it gets loud, can you please be more quiet?
Flip this Fixed Mindset thought into a Growth Mindset thought: "She is just naturally good at soccer, and I'm terrible at it."
She has practiced a lot, and if I practice, I can get better too!
When brainstorming solutions to a problem, it is best to come up with only one idea or multiple ideas?
multiple ideas
Name a safe, quiet space in the classroom (or an activity) you can use to cool down when you enter the "Red Zone" or feel overwhelmed.
Calm-Down Corner (or taking a short break, drawing, squeezed stress ball, or listening to quiet music)
I can't wait for recess." Demonstrate the tone of voice you would use if you were feeling excited versus if you were feeling bored.
answers will vary
What are the 3 parts of an I-statement?
I feel..
When you..
Can you please...
Science shows that when you try hard things and don't give up, your brain forms stronger connections. What is the word for putting in steady effort even when something is tough?
Perseverance (or grit / effort)
You are building a tower for a STEM project, but it keeps falling over. What are the 3 steps of the problem-solving wheel you should follow?
Stop and calm down
Think of solutions
Try a solution and check if it worked?
You are feeling super frustrated during a test and your brain is stuck on negative thoughts. What is the strategy where you change "I can't do this, I'm going to fail" into "This is tough, but I can handle it if I slow down"?
positive self-talk
Matching your tone of voice to the situation is called using an appropriate tone. If a friend is telling you about their lost pet, which tone of voice shows empathy: a loud and cheerful tone, or a gentle and calm tone?
gentle and calm tone
Complete all 3 parts of an "I" statement for this situation: Your group partner is talking over you while you are trying to share an idea for your science project.
I feel frustrated when you talk over me. Can you please let me share my idea?
Give two different ways you can reset your thinking when you feel like giving up on a difficult project.
Asking for help or trying a new strategy
Taking a short break and breathing
Reminding yourself that learning takes time and practice?
(Accept any two positive coping/learning strategies!)
You forgot your lunch box at home today. Give a Win-Win solution where you get to eat lunch without causing a bigger problem.
telling the teacher or cafeteria worker so you can get a school lunch or call home
Your group project partner accidentally rips your paper. Instead of reacting right away with anger, give the 3-Step Calming Sequence you should follow before responding.
Stop / Pause (don't react immediately)
Calm your body (deep breath or count to 10)
Choose a safe action (use an "I" statement or ask for help)?
Accentuate a different word each time you say this sentence to change its meaning: "I didn't say you stole it." Explain how emphasizing the word "I" changes the meaning compared to emphasizing the word "YOU".
Emphasizing "I" means someone else said it, not me.
Emphasizing "YOU" means someone else stole it, not you!