Community
Name one community you are part of.
School, class, neighborhood, sports team, club, family, etc.
Someone asks you to join their game at recess. Does that usually make someone feel included or left out?
Included
Someone asks you to play a game, but you don't want to. What's a respectful way to say no?
“No thanks,” “Maybe later,” “I don't feel like playing right now.” (answers vary)
You walk into class and everyone is already talking to each other. You don't know what they're talking about. What might you think?
“I don't know anyone,” “What are they talking about?” “Maybe I should join them,” “Maybe they don't want me there.” (Answers vary)
A student walks into class and puts their head down. What could be going on?
They're tired, they're upset, they don't want to talk, etc.
True or False: Everyone in a community has to be exactly alike.
False
You're new to a school. Which would probably help you feel like you belong?
A. People ignore you
B. Someone shows you around
C. People don't talk to you
B. Someone shows you around
You see someone standing alone while everyone else is playing. What could you do?
Say hi, ask if they want to play, ask them to join you, check if they're okay, etc.
A kid gets picked last for a team. What might they think or feel?
Embarrassed, disappointed, annoyed, left out, sad, angry, or maybe they don't care, etc.
A student doesn't join a game at free time. What could be the reason?
They don't like the game, they don't know how to play, they want to be alone, they're nervous, etc.
What is one thing members can do to make their community stronger?
Help others, participate, listen, include people, show respect, etc.
Name one thing someone could do at school that might help another person feel included.
Say hi, invite them to play, sit with them, ask them a question, help them, include them in a conversation, etc.
Someone keeps interrupting you while you're talking. What could you say?
“Can you let me finish?” “I wasn't done.” “Can I finish what I was saying?” (answers vary)
A student doesn't want to join a group activity. What could be going on?
They're nervous, tired, don't understand the activity, don't like the activity, don't know the other kids, want to work alone, are having a bad day, etc.
You say hi to someone in the hallway and they don't answer. What is one possible explanation?
They didn't hear you, they were distracted, they were upset about something, they didn't want to talk, etc.
Why can differences between people make a community stronger?
People can bring different ideas, experiences, skills, and perspectives.
You're sitting alone at lunch. Three kids you know are sitting together. What could they do that might make it easier for you to join them?
Say hi, ask you to sit with them, make room, ask you a question, invite you into the conversation, etc.
Your friend wants to play one game, but you want to play a different game. What could you do?
Take turns choosing, compromise, play one now and one later, vote, etc.
Your friend doesn't say hi to you in the hallway. Give two possible reasons.
They didn't see you, they're distracted, they're upset about something, they're talking to someone else, they're in a hurry, they didn't feel like talking, etc.
Someone is being really silly during class. What could be going on?
They're trying to make people laugh, they're bored, they're nervous or uncomfortable, etc.
A community is a group of people who…
A. Never disagree
B. Have something in common or share a place
C. All like the same things
D. Always get along
B. Have something in common or share a place
Two people are playing a game. A third person asks to play, but they say, “No, we're already playing.” Is that automatically mean?
No. They might want to finish their game, there may be rules about how many people can play, or they could invite the person to play next.
You invite someone to join your group and they say no. What are two possible reasons?
They're tired, they're shy, they don't understand the game, they want to do something else, they're already waiting for someone, they're having a bad day, they don't feel like talking, etc.
You make a joke and someone doesn't laugh. Give three possible explanations besides “They hate my joke.”
They didn't hear you, didn't understand the joke, are distracted, aren't in the mood, have a different sense of humor, are thinking about something else, etc.
Two students are arguing. One student is yelling, “You NEVER listen to me!” What might that student be trying to communicate?
“I'm angry.”, “I want you to listen.”, “I feel like you're ignoring me.” (Answers vary)