School
Family
That's awkward!
Friends
Social Lingo
100
Your teacher thinks that you cheated on your math test, but you didn't.
What is the problem?
Talk to Someone:
Talk to your teacher. You could say, "I know you think I cheated on the test but I didn't. I can retake the test if you'd like or perhaps take another test to show you I know the material."
Talk to your parents. You could say, "My teacher thinks I cheated on a math test but I didn't. Can you help me explain to the teacher the situation?"
Result: Your teacher knows that you are doing the right thing by talking to them. You may have the opportunity to show you know the material or the teacher may believe you. Your relationship with your teacher will have been made right.
100
You really want to hang out with your friend, but your parents won't let you go to your friend's house.
What is the problem?
Flexible Thinking: Call the friend/Zoom chat/Play online games with them. Result: You still get to spend time with your friend.
Talk to your parents. You could say, "Can they maybe come over here?" OR "Is there another time my friend and I could hang out this week?" Result: Your parents may let you have the friend over or schedule another time to see them. You would get to hang out with your friend.
100
While eating in the cafeteria, someone tripped right next to where you were sitting. All of the food on their tray fell onto your lap making a mess on your pants.
What is the problem?
1. Tell the person, it's okay. It happens to all of us sometimes. Result: Person won't feel bad.
2. Help them clean up the mess. Result: person will feel less embarrassed and better because you are helping them.
100
You are in a bad mood today and your friend wants to talk to you. You don't feel like talking.
What is the problem?
1. Explain to your friend you are feeling down and need some time to think. Result: Friend will know how you are feeling and help you feel better by being quiet.
2. Tell friend you are in a bad mood and ask friend to do something together that will help you feel better. Result: Your friend will know how you feel and you can do something together to help change your mood and have a better day.
100
What is a compromise?
Give an example of a compromise.
Compromise: When you and another person want two different things, you both give up something that you want in order to reach an agreement.
Example: You want to go to a movie on Saturday. Your friend wants to go to the mall. You both talk and agree to go ride bikes at the park together. Riding bikes is not you or your friend's top choice for what to do, but it's something you both can agree on that you both want to do.
Compromises are important because it helps us solve problems and maintain good relationships with others.
200
You feel overwhelmed with the amount of work you have to do for school. You keep turning assignments in late and forget to bring everything you need for each class you have.
What is the problem?
Flexible Thinking: Use a calendar/schedule to keep yourself organized. Make to-do list of what assignments are coming up and what supplies you need for each class
Talk to Someone:
Talk to teacher or parent: You could say, " I am having a hard time keeping up with my assignments. Can you help me get organized?"
Result: You are organized and turn in your work on time. You are not stressed and your parents and teachers are glad you are doing well in school.
200
Every year at Thanksgiving your grandma wants you to eat her special plum pie that takes her hours to make. You don't like the taste of the pie.
What is the problem?
Flexible Thinking: Take a slice and eat a little bit but throw the rest away later. Result: Your grandma won't be sad and you won't feel bad for hurting your grandma's feelings.
Flexible Thinking: Explain to your grandma that you are too full. Result: Your grandma won't be sad and you won't feel bad for hurting your grandma's feelings.
Flexible Thinking: Tell grandma that you would like some later. Result: Your grandma won't be sad and you won't feel bad for hurting your grandma's feelings.
Talk to someone: Tell your grandma you are very grateful that she made the pie and admire how lovely it looks. Then you can say, "I don't care for the taste of it, but thank you for working so hard on it." Result: Your grandma would know how you feel. She may be hurt, but she won't ask you to eat it again.
200
You are at a school dance and you want to ask someone to slow dance with you but you they he/she might not want to.
What is the problem?
1. Ask them to dance. Result: The person may say no, but you were brave to ask and now know they don't want to. The person may say yes and you get to dance with them.
2. Ask your friend to go with you to ask him/her. Result: You will feel supported when you go ask. The person may say no, but you were brave to ask and now know they don't want to. The person may say yes and you get to dance with them.
200
You are angry at your friend because they were gossiping about you behind your back.
What is the problem?
1. Tell your friend "I don't want you to talk about me behind my back, gossiping isn't what friends do." Result: Your friend will know how you feel and hopefully stop saying mean things. If they don't stop, you may want to hang out with other friends.
2. Talk to friend about how they hurt you. Result: Friend will know that you are hurt and will hopefully stop saying mean things.
200
What does it mean if someone is "hogging a conversation?"How would you know if you were "hogging a conversation?"
"Hogging a conversation" is when someone won't stop talking or let other people talk during a conversation. You would know because people will look disinterested, bored or annoyed. You can tell this by people's facial expressions (e.g., not making eye contact, rolling their eyes, looking off at something else).
300
Everyone is getting invited to a party where people have said there might be alcohol. You get invited by some of your friends.
What is the problem?
Flexible Thinking:
1. Make an excuse that you are busy that night
2. Express that you don't like drinking and don't want to go
3. Tell them, no thanks
Result: You don't have to go to the party and won't get in trouble with your parents or the police
300
Your parents keep asking you to do your chores, but you are so busy with school work and friends that you never make time to do them.
What is the problem
Flexible Thinking: Pick a day and time that you will do them each week and put it in a schedule. Result: You will do your chores. Your parents won't be frustrated and you will be right in your relationship with them.
Flexible Thinking: Put reminders in your phone/on sticky notes. Result: You will do your chores. Your parents won't be frustrated and you will be right in your relationship with them.
Talk to someone. Talk to your parents. You could say, "I'm feeling overwhelmed with the chores I have to do. Can you help me think of a way to get them done each week?" Result: Your parents will know how you feel and can help you think of a solution to the problem. You will be right in your relationship with them.
300
You need to go to class, but your friend won't stop talking to you.
What is the problem?
1. Tell them you have to get to class. Result: The friend will get the hint that you have to go but not be hurt that you don't want to listen.
2. Say, "Sorry, can we finish this conversation later?" Result: Your friend will feel like what he/she is saying is important and you want to talk more later. Your friend will feel respected and valued and you can get to class.
300
You and your friend both tired out for the school basketball team. Your friend didn't make the team but you did.
What is the problem?
1. Talk with your friend. Sympathize with him for not making the team. Result: Friend will know that you care and feel sad that they didn't make the team. You can stay friends.
2. Do something for your friend to cheer him up (do his/her favorite activity). Result: Your friend will feel cared for and want to stay friends.
300
Show me a facial expression that sends a message.
Why would you use that facial expression?
Eye brows up: show you are surprised.
Sneer: (one corner of lip up). Show you are disgusted or skeptical.
Mouth open: show you are shocked
One eye brow up: show you are interested or annoyed.
400
There is a popular guy at school who bullies you. He says mean things when you walk by him in the hallway.
What is the problem?
Flexible Thinking: Ignore him. Result: maybe he will stop bullying you.
Talk to your Parents. You could say, "There is a mean kid at school who is bullying me. He won't stop and it's really bothering me." Result: Your parents can talk to the principle or give you good ideas on what you can do. The bullying would stop.
Talk to a friend. You could say, "There's a mean kid who won't leave me alone. What can I do?" Result: Your friend can help you think of ways to solve the problem. They may be able to confront the bully with you. You will feel better that your friend knows and has your back.
Talk to the bully if it is safe to do. You could say, "I really don't appreciate your unkind words. I'd like you to stop." Result: Bully may listen and stop bothering you.
Talk to the principle. You could say, "There is a student who will not leave me alone. He is bullying me and I'm worried he might be bullying other people. Result: Principle can talk to student, Bullying would stop for you and possibly other students.
400
You have been staying up late playing video games and your parents are frustrated that you are sleepy in class and not doing your best at school.
What is the problem?
Talk to your parents about when and how long it would be good to play video games. Result: You could figure out a better time to do it so you wouldn't be tired and would do well in school.
Flexible Thinking: Make a schedule of what you are going to do during the evening and put a time limit on when you will stop playing video games. Result: You will go to bed at a better time and do well at school.
400
You and your friends are talking to a teacher on campus. You notice he has a piece of toilet paper stuck to the bottom of his shoe.
What is the problem?
1. Wait till the conversation is over and then mention it to the teacher when the other students are gone
2. Quietly tell the teacher he has toilet paper on his shoe when the other students aren't paying attention
400
Your friend keeps saying unkind things about other students behind their backs. You are friends with the people he is making rude comments about.
What is the problem?
1. Talk to your friend. Tell him you don't like him saying those things about others. Result: Friend will know how you feel and hopefully stop saying mean things.
2. Change the topic when he starts saying means things. Result: You won't have to hear your friend talk poorly about other people.
400
Show me a gesture that means, "I don't know?"
Why would you use that gesture?
Shrugging shoulders/ raising your hand towards your shoulders. You would use this to show other people you are unsure or don't have any information that they are looking for.
500
You have a test tomorrow as well as a few projects due. You haven't finished the projects or studied enough for the test.
What is the problem?
Talk to Someone: 1.Your parents: ask for help
2. Your teacher: consider asking your teachers for an extension on the projects.
Flexible thinking: Consider which is more important, the test or the projects and prioritize which class you need to do better in
Result: You have more time for the projects and can use your time to study for the test so you can do well on both. OR you do well on at least one thing, the project or the test.
500
You and your sibling get to choose where your family goes for dinner tonight. You want to go to In and Out but your sibling wants to go to Chipotle.
What is the problem?
Talk to someone: Talk to your sibling. You could say, "Is there another choice that maybe we could agree on?" Result: You and your sibling won't get your first choices, but you will both get to eat something you both like.
Talk to someone: Talk to your sibling. You could say, "If we eat at Chipotle tonight, can I have my top pick the next time we go out?" Result: Your sibling gets what they want this time and you get what you want next time.
Chance Strategy: Flip a coin/rock paper scissors. Result: You each had an equal change to get what you want.
500
Your friend says “good morning” to you, but you are in a hurry and forget to say anything to them! Now they are upset.
What is the problem?
Talk to friend: Apologize. You could say, "I was in a hurry and didn't think to respond. I'm sorry. Result: friend understands the situation and forgives you. You stay friends.
500
Your friend just told you he/she is running for class president for the student council elections. You're disappointed because you are also running for that position.
What is the problem?
1. Agree to both run and agree to stay friends no matter who wins. Result: You can both try to win but stay friends.
2. Run for different positions so you can both be on student council. Result: If you both win different positions, you can be on student council together and stay friends.
500
What is a smirk?
Show me an example of a smirk.
A smirk is a kind of smile, but it's not a friendly smile, it's often a sarcastic or arrogant one or one that's intended to provoke or irritate the person who sees it.
