Advice/Feedback
During English class, you’re presenting a book report in front of the class. After you finish, your friend Mia, who is sitting in the front row, raises her hand. She says, “You did a great job overall, but maybe next time you could slow down a bit when you talk. It was a little hard to follow at times.”
You respond, “I don’t need to slow down. I know what I’m doing, and I don’t need anyone telling me how to present!”
What could you have done differently to accept the feedback more appropriately?
Instead of getting defensive, you could have said, “Thanks for the tip, Mia. I’ll keep that in mind for next time.”
Your friend Lily helped you with a group project, and it turned out really well. You want to thank her for her hard work and show your appreciation.
What positive comment would you say to show gratitude to Lily?
Answer vary. Should include something specific your appreciated (examples: hard work, leading the project, her creativity etc)
You have been wanting to hang out with your friend Noah, but he lives too far away to hang out much after school or on the weekends. What could you do?
Answers vary, talk about joining a club, meeting at school early, hanging out during lunch and recess or between classes.
During Science class, you see your friend has failed the test. You laugh and say, "Wow, you must be really dumb. This stuff is so easy."
In response, your friend says, "At least I didn't get held back!"
You shove your friend and you both end up talking with the principal.
What could you do differently to avoid the conflict?
Answers may vary.
You’ve been working on a project and aren’t sure if it’s going well. You trust your friend Sophia’s opinion and decide to ask for her feedback.
How would you ask Sophia for advice, and how would you accept her feedback?
Asking for advice answers vary. Accepting advice answer, must include "Thank you or thanks etc."
Your classmate Sophia has been working hard on her art project for weeks, and it turned out amazing.
What positive comment could you give Sophia?
Answers vary.
You and your friend Ava both love playing video games, but she’s been feeling stressed with her schoolwork lately. You want to spend time together but also know she wants to relax.
How would you suggest an activity that you both enjoy to help Ava unwind?
Correct answer should mention that you recognize she has been stressed, but also letting her know you want to hang out. Answer could also include the suggestion an activity that you both enjoy or you know is relaxing for Ava.
Your friend just got a new haircut and have been sending you snaps talking about how good it looks. You don't think the haircut looks very good on them.
What could you do to avoid conflict?
Mention that you could say something like you are glad they like it, or good to have something new, or just not say anything at all.
You’ve been struggling to keep up with schoolwork recently, and it feels like you’re always rushing to finish assignments. You’ve heard your friend Zoe talking about how she stays on top of everything, so you decide to ask her for advice.
How might you ask for her advice? How would you respond?
Mention that you know she does that well, and want some advice. Remember to thank her for her ideas, even if you already knew them.
Your friend Michael helped you study for a big test and you both did well.
What could you say to Michael after the test?
Saying thank you. You could also mention how it might have gone if he didn't help (example: I might not have done as well without your help.)
You and your friend Jordan both love playing soccer, but recently he’s been busy with schoolwork and not making it to practice. You want to get him back into playing and to participate without pressuring him.
How do you approach this situation in a way that encourages Jordan to join the activity again without making him feel guilty?
answers may vary; talking about telling him how you would like him to come back, but understanding there isn't any pressure to join.
You and your friend Ethan got into an argument during a group project about who should do which part. Instead of talking it out, you both just ignore the situation, avoid each other, and continue with your work in silence.
What is wrong with the way you’re handling the conflict?
Mention that you haven't solve the problem by not talking.
In social studies class, you and your friend Carson are working together on a group project about ancient civilizations. After presenting, Carson says, “I think you did a good job explaining the main ideas, but it might have been better if you spoke a little more clearly. Some people couldn’t hear you at the back of the room.”
You feel a little defensive, thinking that everyone could hear you just fine.
How might you respond to Carson?
Answers vary.
Your friend Leah just finished performing in the school talent show. She played the piano beautifully, and everyone in the audience is applauding. You start talking about the other performances, but forget to tell Leah how well she did.
Why should you have told Leah how well she did? How could you have done it?
Answers vary, but mention that people like to know other people appreciate them or be told they have done a good job. You could also mention it is nice to say something positive and builds your friendship.
You could have said something like "You did such a good job! You sounded great!"
You were excited to participate in the school play and asked your friend Michael to join, which he did. You both were supposed to work on a school play together, but every time you meet up for rehearsal, he seems disinterested. He’s constantly distracted by his phone, barely paying attention, and never practices his lines. He doesn’t even seem to care about the performance.
What is Michael doing wrong, and what might you say to Michael?
Point out how Michael isn't being present, but is distracted. When talking with him, you could mention how excited you were for the play and how you thought this could be a good way to hang out as well. You could also ask him if there is something wrong.
During a group discussion, your classmate Maya interrupts you while you’re explaining your idea. You feel frustrated, so you raise your voice and snap, "You always do this! Why can’t you just let me finish?!"
What is wrong with how the situation was handled?
You could mention how Maya interrupts you, but you MUST mention how you responded snapped at her.
During a lunch, you and your friends are drawing comics. You make a joke about another friend's drawing which they had been working on, laughing loudly. The whole whole table hears it, and your friend Jack turns to you and says, “Hey, that wasn’t cool. Don't make fun of them. ”
You roll your eyes and say, “It’s just a joke, Jack. Their fine. She probably didn’t even notice.”
Jack looks frustrated but doesn’t push the issue.
What might have been wrong with how you responded? What would be a better way to react?
Rolling your eyes and responding "it is fine" doesn't show you care about their feedback or how your friend might feel. Instead a simple apology would probably be enough.
Your friend Alex worked really hard on a group project for science class. He stayed up late researching and making sure everything was perfect. When the group gets together to present, you all do well, but you don’t mention how much Alex contributed. You focus on the content of the project, but you don’t thank Alex for his extra effort.
Alex seems happy with the project but doesn’t get the recognition he deserves for all the work he put in.
Why should you have given Alex a positive comment, and how could you have done it?
Sample answer: You should have acknowledged Alex’s effort because recognition for hard work motivates people to continue doing their best. You could have said, “Great job on the project, Alex! You really helped make it awesome with all your research.”
You and your friend Ellie decided to bake together, but every time you share your ideas about how to improve the recipe, Ellie dismisses them without giving them a chance. She says, “I know better,” and insists on doing things her way, even though her way is making things go wrong.
What is Ellie doing wrong, and how could you address this?
During lunch at school, you and your friend Lily are sitting together at a table when another student, Ava, comes over and accidentally bumps into your tray of food, spilling some of it. You’re slightly annoyed but decide to say something to her. She apologizes quickly, but instead of letting it go, you respond sarcastically, “Wow, great job, Ava. You really know how to ruin someone’s lunch!”
Lily tries to quiet you down, but Ava looks embarrassed and quickly walks away.
What could have been done differently? How might the situation have changed with the change you suggested?
Answers may vary.