Helping versus Completing
Erica asks you for help with solving the addition problem on her page. You solve the entire problem for her. Is that helping your friend?
No, you completed the work for her.
You notice that Sebastian takes a longer amount of time to read out loud. While Sebastian is reading to your group, you are tapping your foot and saying "let's go already!" Are you being patient and impatient?
Impatient because you are tapping your foot and interrupting his reading by making a rude comment.
You noticed that Matthew was struggling with filling in the map of the United States. So, you went and asked if he needed help, in which he said yes. You wrote down a few of the names of the states on a separate piece of paper with the states in the area that Matthew was working on. Did you help Matthew?
Yes, because you did not give Matthew the answers. Instead, you assisted him with the names of the states.
You are waiting at the Doctor's office to be called back. You sit with your Mom and watch tv quietly. Are you being patient or impatient?
Patient because you are accepting that you need to wait.
The teacher put you into groups and had your work on answer questions from a story you just read as a class. You noticed that Isabella did not understand the story so you say to her "Copy down the answers from my paper?" Is this helping your friend or completing the work for her?
This is completing the work for her. There are ways that Isabella could have been supported instead of being given the answer.
You are talking to your friend during snack time. The principal comes onto the loudspeaker to announce the winners of the spelling bee. Your teacher tells you to be quiet and listen. You continue to have a conversation with your friend. Are you being patient or impatient?
Impatient because you cannot wait until the announcement is over to talk to your friend.
Jack asked you for help with reading the directions for the assignment. You let Jack read the directions and you correct him with the words that he mispronounces. Are you helping Jack or completing the work for him?
Helping Jack because you are letting him try it on his own and assisting him only when it is needed.
You are playing Uno with Jeffrey and notice that he has the card he needs to put down. Jeffrey takes a little bit of time to shuffle through his cards to find the right one. While Jeffrey is doing that, you take the card out of his pile and put it down. Is that being patient or impatient?
Impatient because you were unable to wait for Jeffrey to be done.
The teacher has you work with a partner to solve the riddles on the worksheet you are sharing. You take the worksheet from your partner because you feel that your partner does not know the answers and you fill in the entire worksheet by yourself. Are you helping your partner or giving the answers?
You are not helping your partner because you are doing the work yourself.
Maryam is going up the ramp in the hallway in her wheelchair. You notice that some of your classmates go in front of her because she was taking too long. You decide to stay with Maryam and walk up the ramp with her. Is that being patient or impatient?
Patient because you are walking with Maryam.