💬 Conversation Corner
You are watching a video about surgery for a science class. You have a detailed, graphic thought about it. What should you do?
Keep the thought to yourself or write it in a private journal. (A public setting like a classroom is not the audience for graphic thoughts.)
When someone is frowning and avoiding your eyes, they are most likely feeling:
Sad or Upset.
True or False: During a lecture, if you have a non-urgent thought, it is best to shout it out immediately so you don't forget it.
False. You should raise your hand if it's relevant for the lecture or write it down to share later.
True or False: If you make a mistake, you should try to ignore it and hope no one noticed.
False. Acknowledging mistakes is a sign of maturity.
True or False: Social norms are like official rules and are almost never broken.
False. Social norms are expectations and are often situational; they are not official laws.
True or False: If you have a strong opinion that a classmate's art project is "ugly" or "bad," it is a social expectation that you share this honest opinion with them.
False. A key social filter is deciding when "honest" is less important than kindness or politeness. (It's generally expected to either say nothing or find something positive to say.)
True or False: The general social rule for personal space when talking to someone is about the length of your arm (an arm's length away).
True. This distance is usually considered comfortable for casual conversation.
When an assignment has a specific due date, that date is usually considered:
A rigid boundary that must be met.
A classmate gives you a gift you really don't like. What is the kindest way to respond?
Thank them for the thoughtful gift, even if you don't like it, and do not mention disliking it.
"Thank you for thinking about me!"
True or False: If you are walking down the middle of a hallway or sidewalk, it's an unwritten rule that you should move to one side to let faster people pass.
True. In busy public spaces, this norm helps traffic flow and prevents collisions. This falls under the general norm of "managing personal space and flow."
You are talking to your teacher about your weekend, and you had a very long, technical thought about how elevators work. Is this okay to share?
You can share one or two sentences about it, but check your listener's interest before sharing too much detail. (This teaches checking for interest and managing conversation length.)
You are telling a funny story. If your listener is smiling and leaning slightly toward you, what nonverbal message are they sending?
"I am interested in what you are saying"
You are working in a group, and another student keeps giving wrong answers. What is the most appropriate response?
Say, "That's an interesting idea, but let's check the instructions again."
Let's not make them feel bad for trying, but help them to get better answers.
You are feeling overwhelmed and angry about a group project. The best first step is to:
Step away from the group, take a few deep breaths, and then calmly ask a teacher or friend for help.
A friend tells you, "Your new haircut is really something." If their tone is very flat, they are probably trying to say:
They are not sure if they like it, or they are just trying to be neutral.
When is the most appropriate audience for sharing a deeply personal, upsetting, or disturbing thought (such as a frightening nightmare or a very sad detail)?
A trusted family member, therapist, or a close friend in a private setting.
You are working in a group, and a classmate keeps tapping their pen very loudly. What is the unwritten rule you should assume about that behavior?
The behavior is likely distracting others, even if the person doesn't realize it. We can ask them kindly to stop and explian is distracting you.
What is the main difference between private behavior and public behavior in a school setting?
Private behavior (like humming to yourself) is okay in your personal space, but public behavior (like whispering) affects the whole class.
When someone is upset with you and yelling, what should you focus on doing?
Stay calm, keep your voice quiet, and listen to what they are saying without yelling back. or even ask for a moment before continuing the conversation.
You are invited to a party. The invitation does not say "No gifts." What is the unwritten rule about whether you should bring a gift?
Bringing a small gift is a kind gesture but is generally not required unless the invitation mentions it.
A classmate tells you a story that is highly inaccurate, but they seem very proud of it. What is the best filtered response?
Say, "That's interesting!" and then change the subject without correcting them. (Prioritizes the social goal of preserving the relationship over the factual goal of correcting information.)
When someone says "Oh no! I'm not scared at all!" but their voice is shaky and high-pitched, what is the most important thing to focus on?
Their tone of voice, because it suggests they might be feeling anxious or stressed, not confident.
You accidentally bump into a shelf and knock over a display in the hallway. What is the expected sequence of actions?
Immediately apologize, help clean up, and tell an adult about the accident.
You are playing a board game, and your opponent is cheating. What is the most appropriate way to address the situation?
Say calmly, "I think there was a mistake in that move. Let's check the rules.", if they continue trying to cheat you have the right to say: "I don't want to keep playing if we're not playing as it's meant to be played"
Your science teacher says they need a volunteer who is a "real rocket scientist" to help with a simple task. What is the teacher most likely using?
Hyperbole (exaggeration) to express that the task requires concentration, not actual expertise.