Reading the Room
The bell has just rung. The teacher is standing at the front of the room with a marker in hand, while students are taking out their notebooks and sitting quietly at their desks.
What is the time?
The beginning of class.
A student is sitting at their desk, tapping their pencil quickly, eyes darting around the room. Their eyebrows are furrowed, and they keep biting their lip.
Nervous, Uneasy, Worried
You’re working with a lab partner, but they keep checking their phone instead of helping with the assignment.
Split up the work and have them agree to do specific parts of it.
Friend: “Hey, I’m having a party Friday night—you should come!”
“Sounds fun! What time does it start?”
Students are gathered around tables with trays of food. Some are laughing and talking with friends, while others are standing in line holding money or lunch cards.
What is the space?
The lunchroom / cafeteria.
A student walks down the hallway with a huge smile, shoulders back, and a spring in their step. They keep waving excitedly at their friends.
Cheerful, Excited, Thrilled
You have a big math test the next day, but your friends are pressuring you to go to a school basketball game the night before.
You agree to go to the game for the first half but leave early to finish studying.
Classmate: “I just joined the environmental club after school.”
Follow-up Question: “Cool—what kinds of activities does the club do?”
The teacher has handed out a worksheet. Students are using pencils and calculators, with their heads bent over their desks. The room is mostly quiet except for the sound of writing.
What are the objects?
Pencils, calculators, worksheets.
A student sits at a lunch table staring at their tray, shoulders slouched, arms crossed. Their eyes look down and they barely respond when someone talks to them.
Lonely, Disappointed, Downhearted
You have an important debate team practice scheduled for the same evening as your younger sibling’s school play, which your parents want you to attend.
You could talk to the debate coach about leaving practice a little early so you can make it to the play in time.
Friend: “I just started working at the coffee shop downtown.”
“Nice! How did you get the job—did you apply online or in person?”
A group of students is sitting in bleachers, clapping and cheering loudly while a basketball game is being played on the court. Some students are wearing school colors and waving signs.
Who are the people?
Students who are fans / spectators at a game.
A student slams their locker shut, face red, fists clenched at their sides. Their jaw is tight, and they avoid eye contact with anyone nearby.
Upset, Annoyed, Frustrated
You and a friend both want to invite the same person to Homecoming, and it starts to cause tension between you.
Suggest you all go together with a group of friends.
Friend: “I just started watching this new show on Netflix, and it’s so good.”
“What’s it about?”
The teacher is reading instructions out loud. Some students are raising their hands to ask questions, while others are writing the assignment down in their planners.
What is the time?
The directions or instruction time in class.
A student is talking to someone they like, cheeks slightly red, avoiding direct eye contact but smiling shyly. They fidget with their backpack strap and laugh nervously.
Shy, Nervous, Embarrassed
You’re playing an online game with friends, but one of your teammates keeps “rage quitting” when they lose, which frustrates you.
Offer to play a different game that you like
Teammate: “Coach said practice times are going to change next week.”
“Do you know what days and times it’ll be?”