Greetings and Goodbyes
You walk into your classroom in the morning and your teacher says, "Good morning!" What are two appropriate ways you could respond?
"Good morning"
"Hi! How are you?"
True or false: You can say the exact same word in two different ways and give it different meanings.
True! Saying "Whatever" in a cheerful relaxed tone might mean you are happy with either choice. Saying "Whatever" in an annoyed or sarcastic tone might make someone think you are frustrated or upset.
True or False: Its ok to hug a friend without asking because you have hugged them before.
False! Just because someone was comfortable with a hug before doesn't mean they always want one. You should ask first and respect their answer.
True or False: If everyone in the classroom is being quiet and working its ok to walk in and start talking loudly.
False: If everyone is working quietly you should use a quiet voice and avoid interrupting.
You see a classmate you know in the hallway. You want to be friendly, but you don't know what to say. What could you say to start a conversation?
You could say, "Hi! How are you?" or "Hey, what's up?" and give the person a chance to respond.
What is the difference between a whisper and a shout? When might you use each?
A whisper is a very quiet voice you use when you don't want to disturb someone.
A shout is a very loud voice you might use to warn someone about danger.
You are standing in line and the student in front of you keeps stepping away from you. What might they be trying to tell you without using their words?
They might be uncomfortable with how close you are standing and want more personal space. You can take a step back to give them room.
You see a classmate sitting alone at recess. What's one friendly thing you could say?
"Hi! Do you want to play?"
You have been talking to a friend at recess. The recess monitor blows the whistle to line up. How can you politely end the conversation?
You could say "It was nice talking to you. See you tomorrow!" and allow the other person to say goodbye.
True or False: Speaking loudly always means someone is angry.
False! People might speak loudly because they are excited, happy surprised or trying to be heard in a noisy place. You can't always tell how someone feels just by their tone of voice.
True or False: Everyone is comfortable with the same amount of personal space.
False! People have different comfort levels depending on their preferences, relationships and the situation. Its important to respect those differences.
You are talking about your favorite video game, but your friend says, Can we talk about something else?" What should you do?
Stop talking about the game and give your friend a chance to choose another topic. You could say "Sure! What do you want to talk about?"
You are talking to a classmate, but you notice they keep looking at the clock and turning towards the classroom door. What might their body language be telling you, and what could you say?
They might need to leave or be ready to end the conversation. You could say, "Do you need to go? We can talk later."
Remember that body language can have different meanings.
You disagree with a classmates idea during a group project. How can your tone of voice show respect even when you disagree?
Use a calm and friendly voice. You could say "I see what you are saying but I have a different idea. Can I share it?"
A classmate keeps touching your belongings without asking. What could you say to them? What could should you do if they continue?
Say calmly "Please ask before touching my things. I don't like it when you take my things without permission".
If they continue, ask a teacher for help.
You walk up to a group of friends who are already talking. What should you do before you start talking?
Listen to what they are saying, wait for a pause, and then join in with something related to what they are talking about.
Your friend is still talking but you need to leave. How can you end the conversation without being rude or hurting their feelings?
You can politely say "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need to go. I really liked talking to you. Can we finish our conversation later or another time?"
You are working in a group and someone keeps interrupting you. You want them to stop, but you don't want to get into an argument. What could you say, and what tone of voice would be the best choice?
In a calm respectful voice say "I would like to finish what I was saying and then I would like to hear your idea."
Someone stands too close to you while you are talking. How can you politely let them know you need more space?
Use a calm respectful tone and say "Could you please move back a little? I need some more room."
You want to tell your friend a funny joke, but they are crying because something bad happened. Should you tell your joke right now? What should you do?
No. This probably is not the best time for a joke. You could ask"Are you ok?" or "Do you want some help?" Save the joke for another time.