Peer Groups
Three classmates are standing in a closed, tight circle at lockers. Their backs are turned to the hallway. They are whispering. Is this a good time or a bad time to interrupt them and say hello?
A bad time (they want privacy / are sharing a secret).
ou are working a part-time retail job. Your boss is rushing around the store. They are counting items quickly and frowning. Should you ask them for a break right now, or wait until they slow down?
Wait until they slow down (they are stressed/busy).
You text a classmate a long question about homework. They text back just one letter: "k". Does this single-letter reply mean they want to keep chatting, or end the conversation?
End the conversation.
You are telling a story to a peer. The peer takes one step backward and leans away from you. Are you standing too close to their personal space, or too far away?
Too close.
The morning school announcements start playing over the loudspeaker. The teacher stops talking and points to the speaker. What is the unwritten rule for the students right now?
Stop talking and listen.
You sit at a cafeteria table. The other students instantly stop talking and look down at their phones. No one makes eye contact with you. What is the vibe of this table toward you right now?
Unwelcoming (or they want to be left alone / awkward).
You are at a job interview. The interviewer sits up straight, nods their head while you speak, and smiles. Is your interview going well or poorly?
Well.
A peer leaves a comment on your social media post that says, "Wow, you are SO smart..." with a sarcastic eye-roll emoji. Are they giving you a real compliment or being sarcastic?
Sarcastic.
You are showing a classmate a video on your phone. They look at the phone, then look away out the window, then clear their throat. Are they interested in the video, or are they ready to stop watching?
Ready to stop watching.
You walk into a classroom on a day when there is a substitute teacher. The students are talking loudly, sitting on desks, and throwing paper airplanes. Is this behavior following the actual rules of the school, or are the students taking advantage of the sub?
Taking advantage of the sub (not following the real rules).
A group of peers is laughing at a meme on a phone. One student sees you looking, smiles, and shifts their body to open up the circle. What is this student inviting you to do?
Join the group (or look at the meme with them).
ou are working a cash register. The customer in front of you is checking their watch every few seconds and tapping their foot. What is this customer's unwritten expectation of you right now?
To scan items quickly (they are in a hurry / impatient).
You text a friend three times in a row over two hours. They have not replied to any of them, but you see they are currently active online. Should you text them a fourth time right now, or give them space?
Give them space (stop texting / wait for a reply).
You are talking to someone at a school dance. They keep turning their body toward the exit door and looking past your shoulder. What are they thinking about doing?
Leaving the conversation (or walking away).
You are giving a presentation to the class. A student in the front row slumps all the way down in their chair and closes their eyes. What does this student’s body language tell you about their attention level?
They are not paying attention (or they are bored/asleep).
Two peers are arguing. Their voices are loud. One peer looks away, rolls their eyes, and takes a step backward. What is that peer trying to do to the conversation?
End it (or walk away / exit the argument).
You walk into the breakroom at work. Two coworkers are talking about a personal family issue. They look up at you and instantly change the subject to the weather. What did your coworkers just communicate without saying it out loud?
They want their conversation to be private (or stop talking about it around you).
A classmate posts a picture of their pet passing away. A peer comments with a laughing emoji. Did that peer read the digital room correctly or incorrectly?
Incorrectly (it was inappropriate/mean).
A friend tells you a joke. You laugh and pat them on the shoulder. Their body goes completely stiff and they pull their shoulder away. What is this friend’s boundary regarding physical touch?
They do not want to be touched (or they dislike it).
The teacher assigns a group project. Two students immediately make eye contact across the room and point at each other. What did those two students just decide to do?
Become project partners.
Act out being bored and waiting for the late school bus.
(Answers will vary based on live action: e.g., slouching, sighing, looking at watches/phones).
Your coworker is struggling to lift a very heavy box. They are sweating and sighing, but they have not asked for help yet. If you want to be a good teammate, what should you do?
Offer to help them lift it.
You are in a group text for a school project. Two members start arguing about sports using caps lock. The other members stop typing completely. What is the smart move for you to do in this group chat right now?
Stay out of the argument (or wait until they stop / keep it focused on the project).
You walk into the room and the other students are looking down at their desks. If you walk into this room, what is the boundary regarding noise level?
Total silence (or absolutely no talking).
A student is sitting alone at a desk crying quietly after getting a graded test back. The rest of the class ignores it and keeps working on their own things. Why is the class ignoring the crying student instead of crowding around them?
To give them privacy / protect their dignity (so they don't feel embarrassed).