🗣️ COMMUNICATION
Your friend does something that bothers you. What is one respectful way to tell them?
Suggested response: “I didn’t like when you did that. Can you please stop?”
Skill: Assertive communication.
What does impulse control mean?
Stopping long enough to think before acting or speaking.
Before making a choice, what is one question you should ask yourself?
“What might happen if I do this?”
Why do schools and classrooms have rules?
To create safety, structure, fairness and an environment where people can learn.
Someone cuts in front of you in line. What could you say?
“Excuse me, I was already in line.” rather than pushing or insulting them.
Someone says something you disagree with. What could you do instead of immediately arguing?
Suggested response: Listen, pause and say, “I understand what you're saying, but I see it differently.”
Skill: Active listening and respectful disagreement.
You really want to yell out an answer in class. What could you do?
Pause, keep the answer in your head and raise your hand.
You find something that doesn't belong to you and really want it. What are your choices?
Take it, leave it alone, give it to an adult or find the owner. Discuss which choices avoid creating a bigger problem.
You don't agree with a teacher's rule. Do you still have to follow it? What can you do if you disagree?
Follow reasonable school expectations in the moment and respectfully ask about or discuss the rule at an appropriate time.
Your parent/teacher says no, but you really want something. What's an appropriate response?
Ask why respectfully, accept the answer or ask whether there's another option.
A teacher corrects you, but you think they misunderstood what happened. How can you respond?
Suggested response: “Can I explain what happened from my perspective?” instead of yelling, walking away or refusing to talk.
Someone makes you angry and you immediately want to push them. What are 3 things you could do first?
Stop → step away → breathe → get an adult → use words.
Your friends want you to make fun of another student. What are two possible choices and consequences?
Join them → hurt someone/get in trouble. Refuse/walk away → avoid hurting someone and making the situation worse.
Your teacher tells the class to stop talking, but your friend keeps whispering to you. What could you do?
Stop responding and tell your friend you'll talk later.
A friend keeps touching your belongings after you said stop. What should you do?
Clearly restate the boundary: “I asked you not to touch my things. Please stop.” Move the item or seek adult assistance if the behavior continues.
You are angry and know you might say something hurtful. What can you communicate?
Suggested response: “I'm really upset right now. Can I have a few minutes before we talk?”
Skill: Communicating needs before escalation.
Your friend dares you to do something you know will get you in trouble. Your brain says, “Just do it!” What could you ask yourself?
“What could happen if I do this?” “Is this worth the consequence?” “Would I do this if an adult were watching?”
You made a poor choice and are afraid you'll get in trouble if you admit it. What could you do?
Tell the truth, accept responsibility and ask how you can repair the situation.
What's the difference between not liking a rule and refusing to follow a rule?
You can dislike or disagree with an expectation while still choosing how you respond to it.
You get caught breaking a rule and immediately want to say, “But they did it too!” What's a more responsible response?
“I understand that I broke the rule. I should have made a different choice.” You can discuss someone else's behavior separately.
Someone tells you that your behavior hurt their feelings, but you didn't mean to hurt them. What could you say?
Suggested response: “I didn't mean to hurt you, but I understand why you felt that way. I'm sorry.”
Discussion: Intent and impact can be different.
You are already at an anger level of 8/10, and someone says something irritating. Create a 3-step impulse-control plan.
Bonus skill: STOP — Stop, Take a breath, Observe what's happening, Proceed carefully.
Use this formula:
STOP → THINK → CHOOSE → CHECK
Scenario: Your friend sends you an embarrassing picture of another student and tells you to post it.
Example response: Stop before posting → think about consequences → choose not to share it → check whether the choice is respectful, safe and unlikely to create a bigger problem.
A teacher tells you to put your phone away. You say, “Everyone else has theirs out!” What's a better response?
Put the phone away first. If you think the situation was unfair, calmly discuss it with the teacher later.
Skill: Following directions without turning a small problem into a bigger consequence.
You're angry with a teacher. You want to curse, slam the door and walk out. Your friend is encouraging you to do it. What could you do instead?
Pause → don't follow the peer → use a coping strategy → respectfully request space → return to the conversation when regulated.
Example: “I'm getting really frustrated. Can I take a few minutes to calm down?”