Emotion Regulation
You lose a game and feel yourself getting angry. What is one thing you can do before you speak or act?
Pause, take deep breaths, count, or take a short break.
Your group has four students, but one student isn't getting a chance to speak. What should a good teammate do?
Invite the student to share their idea.
Which is a stronger goal: “I want to be better at math” or “I will practice multiplication facts for 10 minutes, four days a week”?
“I will practice multiplication facts for 10 minutes, four days a week”?
Maya tells her friend about the book she is reading. She asks, “Have you read this book?” Is this gossiping or conversation?
Conversation
What is the difference between saying “I made a mistake” and “I am a mistake”?
A mistake is something you did; it does not define who you are.
Your partner accidentally knocks over your project. You feel like yelling. Which response shows better emotional regulation: yelling immediately or taking a breath and explaining how you feel?
Taking a breath and explaining how you feel.
Two students disagree about how to complete a project. Does teamwork mean one student always gets their way?
No. Teamwork means listening, discussing ideas, compromising, and finding a solution together.
Why should a goal include a specific action instead of simply saying, “I will do better”?
A specific action tells you exactly what you need to do to make progress.
Jordan says, “I heard that Alex got in trouble yesterday. Do you know why?” Alex isn't there. What could make this gossiping?
Talking about Alex's personal situation when Alex isn't there, especially when there is no good reason to share it.
Your friend says, “I'm not as good at drawing as Taylor, so I'm not talented.” What could you tell them?
Everyone has different strengths, and being different from Taylor doesn't mean they aren't talented.
You are nervous about giving a presentation. Name two strategies that could help you manage the feeling.
Deep breathing, positive self-talk, practicing, asking for help, or imagining yourself succeeding.
Your group finishes its project, but one student did almost all the work. What teamwork skill was missing?
Sharing responsibilities / doing your fair share.
Your goal is to read more books. You planned to read 20 minutes every night, but you keep forgetting. What could you change?
Set a reminder, choose a specific reading time, or create a routine.
Your friend tells you, “Don't tell anyone, but I heard that Sam is moving.” What should you do before repeating it?
Don't repeat it. It is private information, and you don't know if it is true or if Sam wants others to know.
Is positive self-concept the same thing as believing you are better than everyone else? Explain.
No. It means recognizing your own strengths and worth while also respecting the strengths of others.
You are extremely frustrated with a difficult assignment. Is walking away forever emotional regulation? Explain.
No. Taking a short break can help, but you should return and try again or ask for help.
Your teammate has an idea you think won't work. What is a respectful way to respond?
Listen first, explain your concern respectfully, and work together to find a solution.
You have worked toward a goal for two weeks but aren't seeing much improvement. Should you automatically give up? Explain.
No. Look at what you've tried, make adjustments, ask for help if needed, and keep working toward the goal.
You and a friend are talking about another student. You realize you wouldn't say the same things if that student were standing beside you. What is a good clue that you may be gossiping?
You are saying things about someone that you wouldn't say directly to them.
Your classmate is excellent at sports but struggles with reading. They say, “I'm bad at everything.” What is wrong with that statement, and how could you help them reframe it?
One difficulty doesn't mean they are bad at everything. They can recognize their strength in sports while identifying reading as a skill they are still developing.
Your friend says something that hurts your feelings. You feel angry, but you know yelling will make things worse. Describe three steps you could take to regulate your emotions and handle the situation.
Pause/calm your body → identify and name the feeling → choose a respectful response, such as explaining how you feel or asking for help.
Your group is running out of time and everyone is arguing about what to do. What should the team do first, and why?
Pause and agree on a plan. Assign jobs and focus on the most important tasks so everyone knows what to do.
Create a realistic goal for improving your classroom behavior. Your answer must include what you will do and how often you will do it.
Example: “I will raise my hand before speaking at least 4 out of 5 days each week.”
Your friends start talking about a classmate's mistake. You don't want to join the gossip. Give two responses you could use.
"Let's talk about something else,” “We shouldn't talk about them when they're not here,” or “Let's give them a chance to explain.”
BONUS: You are working on a group project. One teammate starts gossiping about another student. At the same time, you are frustrated because your group isn't making progress, and you are worried you won't finish your part of the project.
Name at least THREE skills that we reviewed today that you can use in this situation and explain how each one would help.
Emotional regulation: Take a breath and manage your frustration before reacting.
Gossiping vs. conversation: Avoid joining the gossip or redirect the conversation.
Teamwork: Help the group refocus and listen to everyone's ideas.
Goal setting: Break the remaining work into smaller tasks and make a plan.
Positive self-concept: Remind yourself, “I can handle this, even if it's challenging.”