Perspective Taking
Frank is presenting at the science fair a project on tornados. Chris walks by and says
"Wow tornados. How boring!" "Why didn't you pick something more exciting?" What do
think Frank is thinking and feeling right now?
He is feeing angry and hurt. He spent a lot of time on this project and he thought it
would be interesting to other people. He thinks Chris is rude and mean for saying such
a hurtful thing.
You lose your school ID. Is this a small, medium or big problem. What could you do to
solve the problem?
Small. You go to the bookstore and get a temporary ID, look for it at home,
ask/buy a new ID, etc.
A new student at school is standing only a foot away and is smiling at you. Is this
expected or unexpected why?
Unexpected. You should stay about an arm's length away from people that you don't
know that well.
I am willing to play the game Maria's way even though it is different way then I would
play it. Rigid or Flexible thinking?
Flexible Thinking
Your teacher Mr. M is overweight and wears very tight clothes which looks bad. Should
you say something or not? why or why not?
No it is rude to comment about someone's appearance including their weight.
If you say something, it would hurt Mr. M's feelings and maybe make him not like you
as a student.
This is Erika's first day of high school. What do you think she is feeling and thinking?
She is feeling nervous and excited. She hopes that she can make some friends quickly
and that she will like her classes and teachers etc.
Your grandmother who you are very close to passed away. Is this a small, medium, or big
problem? What do you do in this situation?
Big problem. You can cry, talk to people, try to do something to remember her, even
see a counselor if you need to etc.
The teacher mis-spells the word "experiment" on the white board. Everyone knows
what the word is. Should you say something or not?
No you don't correct a teacher when it is only a very small thing. Everyone knows what
the word is anyway so it does not matter.
At lunch time there is no ketchup, Muriel will only eat his hot dog with ketchup. He pushes
his hotdog across the table and yells, "I'm not eating that!" What did Muriel do wrong?
What should he do?
He was not being flexible. He should be willing to try other things on his hot dog.
Your friend Sam is funny and talented. He was recently picked for the lead part in the
school play. What would you say to him?
Congratulations Sam! I heard you got the lead part. That is Awesome! I can't wait
to see the play! etc.
Phillip is telling people in his class that he is having a big party this weekend with
live music, a video game truck, and lots of food! Carol did not know about the party and
was not invited. What is she thinking and feeling right now?
She is feeling sad and angry. She wonders why Chris did not invite her to the party?
What did I do to him so that he does not like me? etc.
You fail your math test which will bring your grade down from a B to a C. Your mom is
not going to be happy. Is this a small, medium, or big problem? What would you do to
solve the situation?
Small Problem. It is one test. You still can get your grade up by asking the teacher if
you can retake the test, go to afterschool tutoring, ask a friend who is good at math
to help you study etc.
Sony invites you to her house to work on a science project together. She introduces you
to her two brothers. James and Jack. "These are my brothers" she says. You know that
they are adopted and not really her biological brothers. Should you say correct her?
No. She most likely thinks of them as her brothers no matter if they were adopted or not.
It would hurt her feelings and be annoying if you point out and try to correct her.
Remember peers don't like to be corrected or bossed around by people of similiar age.
It does not matter what you say, I will not change my opinion that the coolest
movie is Jurasic Park. Is this rigid or flexible thinking? Why?
Rigid thinking Rigid thinkers are not willing to consider other people's opinions.
Your good friend has been a jerk to you lately. No matter how hard you try to cheer him/
her up he/she is just mean right back. What would you say to him/her.
What is going on? I noticed that you seem to be in a bad mood lately? It hurts my feelings
when you are mean to me. Are you upset about something. How can I help etc.
Jose is telling his friend TJ about his awesome trip to Mexico where he swam with the
dolphins and went deep sea fishing. TJ yawns, looks at his phone and starts to watch
something on You Tube. How does Jose feel and what is he thinking?
Jose is feeling angry/frustrated/upset/sad that his friend TJ does not care enough
to pay attention to what he is saying. He is thinking that maybe he does not want to be
TJ's friend anymore. etc.
Justine broke up with her boyfriend of 16 months. Is this a small, medium, or big
problem? What should she do?
Medium. She can talk to friends, try to do fun things to keep her mind off of things,
talk to her parents. etc.
The gym teacher spends 10 minutes teaching Jon how to shoot a basketball the correct
way. When the teacher is not looking. Jon starts doing it again the wrong way. Should
you say something to Jon or the teacher? Why or why not?
No. You are not in charge. If Jon wants to do it the wrong way, he is only hurting himself.
If you try to correct Jon he will think that you are trying to boss him around and may get
angry.
I don't like creamed corn, but my aunt spent a lot of time making it. So I will try it.
Is this rigid or flexible thinking? Why?
Flexible Thinking. Flexible thinkers are willing to try new things.
you do or say?
Wow thanks so much for the present!! I love this video game! This is a very thoughtful
gift! etc.
Steve and Jackson are working on a Chemistry project together. Steve finds Chemistry
class hard and confusing. Jackson says to Steve. "You are going to have to do most
of the project by yourself, because my aunt died, and I have to go out of town for the funeral."
What is Steve thinking and feeling right now?
He is mad/stressed/panicked/angry. He feels it is unfair for Jackson not to do his fair
share of the work. He is not sure he can do the project on his own since he does not
know what he is doing.
Your mom comes down with COVID. Is this a small, medium, or big problem? What
would you do?
Medium. Offer to help out around the house. Try to wash your hands a lot, wear a
mask around your mom etc.
Your class has a substitute teacher who is clearly a bit lost. Two of the kids next to you
secretly start watching videos on their phone instead of doing the worksheet. Should
you let the teacher know?
No. You are not in charge of the class so you need to let the teacher handle it.
If I can't do it my way. Then I'm not doing it. Is this rigid or flexible thinking?
Rigid Thinking
You are eating at a friends house and his mother serves homemade burrito's. Something
in the burrito tastes bad and you don't like it. What would you do or say?
Eat as much as you can to be polite. Say to the mom. "Thanks so much for spending so
much time making the meal. It was special!" Etc.