Dealing with Drama (Peer Relationships)
Your friend is ignoring you today and walking with someone else. What is a calm way to handle this?
Answer: Wait until a private moment to ask them nicely if everything is okay.
Name three physical warning signs your body gives you when you are starting to get angry.
(Answer: Sweating, clenched fists, fast heartbeat, shaking, red face, etc.)
A new student joins your class mid-year. Name two things they might be feeling right now.
Nervous, lonely, excited, overwhelmed, scared.
In our recent lesson, what did the squeezed-out toothpaste represent?
Unkind words, gossip, or mean comments.
Your friend borrows your favorite pencil and accidentally breaks it. What is the most responsible first step?
Keep calm and tell them it's okay, instead of yelling or getting revenge.
True or False: If a rumor is spreading online or via text, it is okay to forward it to a friend as long as you say "I don't know if this is true."
False. Sharing it at all keeps the gossip alive.
You failed a math quiz you studied hard for. What is a growth-mindset "flipped thought" you can use instead of "I'm just bad at math"?
(Answer: "This quiz shows me what I still need to practice before the next test.")
Your friend suddenly snaps at you during lunch. Instead of getting mad back, what "behind-the-scenes" reasons could you consider for their behavior?
(Answer: They might have had a fight at home, failed a test, or are feeling unwell.)
Why does a simple "I'm sorry" not instantly fix a hurtful comment?
Because apologies cannot erase the emotional damage or memory of the hurt, just like you can't put the paste back.
What does it mean to "compromise" when you and a classmate disagree on a recess game?
Finding a middle ground where both people give up a little bit to find a solution that makes everyone happy.
What is the difference between playful teasing and actual bullying?
Teasing goes both ways and stops if someone gets upset; bullying is intentional, repeated, and targets a specific person.
This 4-step breathing technique involves breathing in for 4 seconds, holding for 4, exhaling for 4, and holding for 4. What is it called?
(Answer: Box Breathing or Square Breathing.)
What is the difference between active listening and just waiting for your turn to talk?
Active listening means looking at the speaker, nodding, and trying to truly understand their feelings instead of planning your response.
Before you blurt out a comment, the T.H.I.N.K. acronym tells you to ask if it is True, Helpful, Inspiring, and Kind. What does the N stand for?
(Answer: Necessary.)
True or False: When resolving a conflict, you should focus on winning the argument rather than fixing the relationship.
False. The goal is to solve the problem and keep the friendship strong.
Describe the role of a "Bystander" versus an "Upstander" when someone is being excluded at recess.
A bystander watches and does nothing; an upstander speaks up, invites the person over, or tells a teacher.
Name a coping mechanism for stress that is external (involves your surroundings) and one that is internal (takes place in your mind).
External: Going for a walk, listening to music, talking to a counselor. Internal: Positive self-talk, visualization, mindfulness.
Use an "I-Statement" to express that you are upset a teammate took credit for your project idea.
"I feel hurt and frustrated when my ideas are shared without my name, because I worked hard on them. Next time, I want us to share credit."
Give an example of a situation where you might need to "squeeze the brakes" on your impulses before making a decision you regret.
Getting a mean comment online, losing a video game, or feeling left out of a group chat.
Explain the difference between an aggressive response and an assertive response when someone cuts in front of you in the lunch line.
Aggressive is yelling or pushing back. Assertive is calmly but firmly saying, "The line starts at the back, please move behind us."