Facial expressions
You see a girl smiling with her eyes wide open and eyebrows lifted. What emotion is she showing?
She is likely feeling happy, excited, or surprised (in a good way).
If someone says “Great job!” with a big smile and cheerful tone, what do they probably mean?
They really mean it—they’re proud or impressed.
Your friend says, “I’m fine,” but looks upset. What might they actually be feeling?
They’re likely not fine. They may be sad, frustrated, or angry. You could ask, “Are you sure?” or “Do you want to talk?”
Someone tells a knock-knock joke and everyone laughs. How do you know it’s meant to be funny?
Everyone laughs, the tone is playful, and no one is upset—shows it was meant to be funny.
You forgot your pencil. What’s the problem, and what could you do?
Problem = No writing tool.
Solutions: Ask to borrow one, check the classroom supply, or ask the teacher.
A boy has his arms crossed, is looking down, and his lips are tight. How do you think he feels?
He may be feeling angry, annoyed, or frustrated.
Your classmate says “Nice one…” after you trip and drop your pencil, but they roll their eyes. What do they mean?
They are being sarcastic and probably don’t mean it nicely. A good response might be ignoring it or saying, “That wasn’t helpful.”
You tell a joke and someone doesn’t laugh and looks away. What could they be thinking or feeling?
They might be embarrassed or didn’t find it funny. Maybe the joke made them uncomfortable. You could check in with them.
Your friend tells a silly story and laughs. What helps you know it’s a joke?
Their tone, facial expression, and the setting (like lunchtime) show it was a joke.
You and a friend both want the same seat. What’s the problem, and what are two ways to solve it?
Problem = Conflict over one space.
Solutions: Take turns, find another spot, or ask a teacher to help decide fairly.
A classmate frowns and slams their notebook shut. What might they be feeling, and what could have caused it?
They might be feeling angry or overwhelmed—possibly because something didn’t go as planned (e.g., a bad grade or argument).
A teacher says, “That was so helpful,” after a student interrupts. What clues help you understand how they really feel?
They are likely annoyed. The exaggerated tone shows sarcasm. The real meaning is “That wasn’t helpful.”
At recess, a student is sitting alone with their hood up. What might they be feeling? How could you respond?
They might be feeling lonely or sad. You could ask if they want to join you or say hello.
A student tells a joke during class and the teacher doesn’t laugh. Why might that joke not be appropriate?
The timing was wrong. It may have interrupted learning or wasn’t appropriate for class.
You don’t understand your homework, and your teacher has already moved on. What can you do?
Problem = Confusion.
Solutions: Ask a classmate, wait and ask the teacher after class, or email the teacher later.
You’re telling a story and your friend suddenly looks away and doesn’t laugh. What could their facial expression mean?
They might be feeling left out, embarrassed, or not interested in the story.
Your friend says “Perfect timing!” in a flat voice when you show up late. How can you tell they’re being sarcastic?
They’re being sarcastic. You can tell by their flat tone. They mean your timing was bad.
You tell your classmate their project isn’t very good. They get quiet and walk away. What might they be thinking, and what can you do?
They might feel hurt or embarrassed. A good next step is to say, “I didn’t mean to be rude,” or apologize.
A friend makes a joke about your haircut and says, “Just kidding!” but it hurt your feelings. What might their real intention be?
They may be covering up a hurtful comment. They might have meant it as a joke, but it still hurt. You could say, “That kind of joke wasn’t funny to me.”
Your group isn’t including you in a project. What’s the problem, and what are two respectful ways to fix it?
Problem = Exclusion.
Solutions: Ask to join in, tell the teacher, or suggest a task you can help with.
You see a classmate smiling, but their eyes look sad. What mixed feelings might they have, and what should you do?
They may be pretending to be happy, but actually feel sad or upset. You could say, “Are you okay?” or “You seem a little down.”
How can you tell the difference between someone joking in a friendly way and someone using sarcasm to be mean? What social cues would help you decide?
Friendly jokes are followed by smiles, laughter, and include everyone. Mean sarcasm may include eye rolls, flat tone, or put-downs. Look at the person’s face and how others react. If someone looks hurt, it’s not friendly.
You overhear your friend say something behind your back. Later, they act normal around you. What are some possibilities for what they’re thinking? What are two appropriate ways to handle this
They may be hiding something, feeling guilty, or avoiding confrontation. Two options: ask them privately if something is wrong, or give yourself time to think before responding.
How can you tell if a joke is funny to one group but offensive to someone else? What should you do if someone laughs but another person looks hurt?
if someone looks down, doesn’t laugh, or pulls away, the joke may have crossed a line. Best action: stop the joke, check in with the person who looked hurt.
You accidentally shared something personal about your friend, and now they’re upset. What’s the problem, and what are two ways you can make it right?
Problem = You broke trust.
Solutions: Apologize sincerely, ask what you can do to make it better, or give them space if needed.