Refocusing Your Attitude
A student thinks: “I’m terrible at math. I’ll never get it.”
What is a better way to refocus this thought?
“I’m still learning math. I can improve with practice.”
Someone cuts in front of you in line and you feel really angry.
What is one thing you could do instead of yelling?
Take a deep breath and calmly tell them they cut in line.
You interrupt someone every time they speak.
How might that make them feel?
Frustrated, annoyed, or like their ideas don’t matter.
A clique is best described as what?
A small group of people who mostly only hang out with each other.
What is tone of voice?
The way your voice sounds when you speak (friendly, angry, sarcastic, etc.).
You didn’t get picked for a team in PE and think: “Nobody likes me.”
What is a more flexible thought?
“Maybe they already picked their friends. It doesn’t mean nobody likes me.”
A classmate bumps into you and spills your water.
What is a good way to respond?
Stay calm and talk to them instead of getting aggressive.
You laugh when someone makes a mistake in class.
How could that impact them?
It might embarrass or hurt their feelings.
Why can cliques sometimes hurt others’ feelings?
They can make people feel excluded or left out.
If you say “Nice job” in an angry tone, how might it sound?
Sarcastic or mean instead of supportive.
You make a mistake on a class assignment and feel embarrassed.
What is one way to refocus your attitude?
Mistakes help us learn, so try again or ask for help.
You feel your anger building during a game.
What is one strategy to calm down?
Take deep breaths, count to 10, or take a break.
You ignore a friend when they say hi to you in the hallway.
How might they feel?
Confused, hurt, or like you don’t want to be friends.
If you see someone sitting alone at lunch, what is a kind thing you could do?
Invite them to sit with you or start a conversation.
Why is tone of voice important in communication?
It affects how others understand your message.
Your friend can’t hang out after school and you think: “They don’t want to be my friend anymore.”
What is a more helpful thought?
“They might just be busy today.”
You lose a game and feel like shouting at everyone.
What is a better response?
Say “good game” or take a break to cool down.
You share someone’s secret with others.
What might the impact be?
They may feel betrayed and stop trusting you.
Is it okay to have close friends, even if you aren’t friends with everyone?
Yes, but it’s important to still be respectful and kind to others.
If someone says “Whatever” in a rude tone, how might others feel?
They might feel annoyed, disrespected, or upset.
Someone says something you don’t like and you start feeling negative all day.
What is one way to refocus your attitude?
Take a breath, think of something positive, or focus on something else.
Someone says something rude and you want to insult them back.
What is a better choice?
Ignore it, walk away, or calmly tell them you didn’t like that comment.
You help a classmate who is struggling with work.
How might that impact them?
They might feel supported, grateful, or more confident.
Someone says: “You can’t sit with us.”
What social problem might that create?
Exclusion or hurt feelings.
What is a good tone of voice to use when asking for help?
Calm, polite, and respectful.