Stress & Coping
Name 2 physical signs your body gives you when your anger or stress starts rising.
What is heart beating fast, clenched fists, hot face, tight shoulders, or rapid breathing.
Someone texts you just the letter "k". Name two different ways to interpret this without assuming they are mad.
What is they are in a hurry, they are multi-tasking, or they just meant "okay."
What is the difference between self-advocacy and complaining?
Complaining just focuses on the problem without trying to fix it; self-advocacy clearly states what you need to solve the problem.
Someone posts a vague quote on their story like "Real friends don't act like that..." right after you had a disagreement. What is the BEST way to handle it?
A) Post an even meaner quote targeted back at them.
B) Screenshots it and send it to the group chat to roast them.
C) Ignore the post online, take a breather, and talk to them privately in person tomorrow.
You wave back at someone across the hallway, but then realize they were waving to the person standing right behind you! What is the best way to handle this awkward moment?
Laugh it off or pretend it didn't happen.
Name a coping strategy you can do right at your desk without anyone else noticing.
What is deep breathing, fidget, doodling
You walk up to a group of friends and they suddenly stop talking. What is a non-dramatic reason for this?
What is they were finishing a private conversation
What is one polite way to ask a teacher to explain an assignment again when you are confused?
"Could you show me an example of how to do this?" or "Can you explain that one more time?"
What does it mean to "repair" a friendship after you say something hurtful?
Acknowledge what you did wrong, give a sincere apology, change your behavior moving forward.
A teacher marks an answer wrong on your test that you know is actually correct according to the textbook. What do you do?
Wait until independent work time or after class, show the teacher the page in the textbook, and politely ask them to take another look.
What does it mean when your "Social Battery" hits 25%?
What is your social/emotional energy is running low, you might feel easily annoyed or quiet, and you need a mini-break to recharge.
What is the main difference between a close friend and a classmate acquaintance?
A close friend shares mutual trust, keeps secrets, and supports you outside of school; an acquaintance is someone you are friendly with in a specific class.
You are in a group project and one teammate isn't doing any work. What should you do first?
Privately ask the teacher for guidance without starting a fight.
Explain the difference between a Fact and an Assumption in a peer argument.
A fact is what actually happened/was said; an assumption is what you think someone meant or felt.
Name 2 "unspoken rules" of cafeteria seating or hallway walking in middle school that aren't written in the handbook.
Examples include: Don't take someone's regular unassigned seat; don't stop abruptly in the middle of a crowded hallway; keep to the right side of the stairs.
True or False: Feeling angry or frustrated is a "bad" emotion.
False. All emotions are normal and valid.
A peer rolls their eyes while you are speaking. What is a respectful way to handle it?
Pause, stay calm, avoid yelling, and either ignore it or privately ask later if everything is okay.
What is a healthy boundary to set with a friend who texts you constantly while you are trying to study or sleep.
I’m putting my phone on Do Not Disturb so I can [study / sleep]. I’ll catch up with you [tomorrow morning / after my test]
Why is it much easier for miscommunication to happen over text or social media than face-to-face?
Because you can't hear tone of voice, see facial expressions, or read body language through a screen.
Someone bumps into your backpack in a crowded hallway and knocks your binder over. They keep walking without saying anything. What do you do?
Take a deep breath, pick up your binder, and assume it was an accident caused by the crowded hall rather than a personal attack.
What is the main difference between an Internal Trigger and an External Trigger?
An internal trigger comes from inside your body/mind (hunger, tiredness, negative thoughts). An external trigger comes from your environment (loud noises, mean comments, hot weather).
What does it mean to "Read the Room" before bringing up a topic or making a joke?
Checking the overall mood, energy, and setting of the environment to make sure your comments are appropriate for the moment.
What is the difference between setting a boundary and being rude?
Setting a boundary clearly states what you need calmly, while being rude attacks the other person.
What does "Digital Footprint" mean, and why does it matter when you are frustrated with a peer?
Anything posted, sent, or screenshot online leaves a permanent record that can be shared, saved, or brought up later by school staff or parents.
What should you do if two friends tell you to pick a side in an argument?
I care about both of you, so I'm not taking sides in this argument.