Small Acts of Kindness
You see a classmate drop all their books in the hallway. The kindest thing to do is this.
What is help them pick them up?
You and your friend both want to use the same iPad. A fair way to handle this is to do this.
What is use a timer to share?
When working in a group, this is the most important skill to ensure everyone is heard.
What is active listening?
A friend asks to borrow your favorite sweater, but you don't want to lend it. A firm, polite boundary is to say this.
What is "No, I'm not comfortable lending that one"?
You are walking in the hall, and someone trips you and laughs. Instead of fighting, you do this.
What is walk away and tell a teacher?
A new student is sitting alone at lunch. An act of kindness would be to do this
What is ask them to sit with you?
You want to watch a movie, but your friend wants to play a game. A compromise would be this.
What is play a game first, then watch a movie?
You and a partner have different ideas for a project. To collaborate, you should do this.
What is combine the best parts of both ideas?
Someone is standing too close to you in line. A healthy boundary to set is this.
What is "Please give me some personal space"?
You find out your friend lied about being sick to go out with someone else. A mature way to handle this is to do this.
What is talk to them privately about how it made you feel?
Your friend missed the last shot in a game and feels upset. A kind response is to say this.
What is "It's okay, nice try"?
A classmate is being too loud while you are studying. Instead of yelling, you should say this.
What is "Could you please be a bit quieter?"
A team member is struggling with their part of the task. A collaborative response is this.
What is offer to help or explain it to them?
A classmate keeps texting you late at night when you are trying to sleep. A boundary to set is this.
What is "I don't reply to texts after 10 PM"?
You have a lot of work to do, but a friend keeps asking you to play. To respect your own time, you say this.
What is "I can't right now, but I can later"?
Someone is spreading rumors about your friend. An act of kindness and courage is to do this.
What is stand up for them or tell an adult?
During a group project, one person is doing all the work. To re-negotiate roles, you say this.
What is "Let's break down the tasks so everyone helps"?
When a conflict arises during a group project, a collaborative approach is to focus on this, rather than who is right.
What is finding a shared solution?
A friend is pressuring you to do something you know is wrong. Saying "no" without giving a long excuse is an example of this.
What is a healthy boundary?
You forgot to return a book you borrowed. The kindest thing to do is this.
What is apologize and return it immediately?
You notice a classmate is being left out of a game because they are not as good at it. You should do this.
What is include them and encourage them to play?
Your parents say no to a sleepover, but you really want to go. A calm negotiation tactic is to do this.
What is ask why and offer to do extra chores?
The best way to make sure a group project is successful is to do this at the beginning.
What is set clear, shared goals?
This is the purpose of setting personal boundaries
What is to take care of yourself/set limits on what you accept?
Someone is making jokes about your culture. A boundary-setting response is this.
What is "That joke makes me uncomfortable, please stop"?