Empathy & Communication in Group Work
A program with a goal of helping students build human skills like nurturing positive relationships, managing emotions, and meeting goals - so students are able to thrive in school and in life beyond!
What is Second Step?
What is a grievance?
a complaint or a strong feeling that you have been treated unfairly
a body's reaction to feeling under pressure
What is stress?
A term used for a set of brain functions. These functions help you to be successful in both school and life.
What is executive functioning?
A solution to a problem where both parties feel like their perspectives, feelings, needs, and wants are considered.
What is a win-win solution?
the ability to identify, understand, and respond thoughtfully to the feelings and perspectives of others
What is empathy?
What are two of the skills for handling a grievance?
Possible Options:
Explain your perspective clearly
Consider the other person’s perspective
Be assertive
Avoid blaming language
What is an example of a time when stress is good?
Answers may vary.
Possible answers:
-when stress motivates you, for example when studying for a test or practicing before a big game
You just got assigned a long-term project. How can you make sure you finish it on time?
Possible answers:
Chunk the assignment
Work on a little each day
Set deadlines for each part
What are the first two steps when solving a problem?
Think of the Action Steps.
Analyze the situation
Brainstorm options
During the shipwreck challenge, what was one of the skills that you needed to use to pick your items?
Answers may vary.
Possible answers:
-respecting other's ideas
-negotiating and compromising
-including everyone
-active listening
Language that implies (whether intentionally or unintentionally) that a person is partially or wholly responsible for the problem.
What is blaming language?
What were two of the stress management strategies we practiced?
Possible answers:
Mindfulness meditation/breathing
Grounding Techniques
Making a to-do list
Taking a break
How can paying better attention in class help reduce stress?
Possible answers:
Reducing the mental effort needed to re-engage with the material, can significantly reduce stress by improving focus, enhancing learning, and potentially leading to better performance, which in turn reduces anxiety and worry.
What are the last two steps when solving a problem?
Think of the Action Steps.
Decide on and do the best option
Evaluate if it works
What are the four group work skills?
Active listening, respecting others' ideas, and including everyone
How can you be assertive when handling a grievance?
Look at the other person
Keep your head up and shoulders back
Use a calm voice
Use respectful, clear language
A strategy that makes the stressful situation unchanged and can make you feel worse.
What is an avoiding strategy?
Describe the steps you would take to organize your locker? List at least 3 steps.
Possible answers:
Throw out old papers from trimester 1 and 2
Put any current loose papers into the correct folder
Put all materials for one class in a designated area
How did we use negotiating and compromising in the Battle of the Orange Activity?
We went through the action steps, analyze the problem, brainstorm options, communicated, heard each other's perspectives, and considered each option to come to a solution where both companies were able to come to a win-win solution.
What is one strategy to having a successful group where everyone's ideas are included?
Answers may vary.
Possible answer:
Have each person brainstorm ideas, on their own first. Then go around the group listening to everyone's ideas individually before discussing as a group.
How would you handle this situation using the skills for handling a grievance?
A friend wants to work with you in class, but you remember that they didn’t do their fair share of the work the last time you worked with them. They come and sit by you, but you want to tell them no. What do you do?
Answers may vary but should include explain and consider other perspectives.
Why can taking a break be a successful coping strategy?
When you are stressed, taking a break allows your brain to disengage from the tasks at hand and rest. That much-needed time to recharge will allow you to come back refocused, refreshed, and ready to tackle the tasks at hand.
You don't turn in (or complete) some of your assignments this term. How is this going to impact you in the short-term? Long-term?
Short term- it will impact your grade
Long term-it will impact your understanding of the material and ability to complete future assignments
How would we use negotiating and compromising skills in the following scenario.
One of your friends is writing threatening messages to another student and posting untrue gossip online. You both want to do something positive to stop it.
Perspectives:
Person 1: You know what’s going on is wrong, but you don’t want to report it because you don’t want to become involved yourself. You think you should just tell the person to stop.
Person 2: You know what’s going on is wrong. You think you should ask an adult what to do.
Answers may vary but should include both parties being heard and having their perspectives considered.