The Inside Scoop
What are 3 qualities that make you a good friend?
Honesty, kindness, respect, being supportive, trustworthy, dependable, etc.
Why might someone lie about making a mistake even when they know the truth?
They might be afraid of getting in trouble, disappointing someone, feeling embarrassed or being judged.
Your teacher wants to talk to you about something that happened at lunch. What is 1 way to make sure you can participate in the conversation even if you're upset?
You can say, "I'm frustrated and need five minutes at the table. I'll come back and talk about it afterward".
What is the difference between explaining why you did something and making an excuse?
An explanation helps someone else understand why something happened. An excuse tries to avoid responsibility or make the behavior seem acceptable.
Does being a loyal friend mean agreeing with everything your friends do? Why or why not?
No. A loyal friend can disagree and tell you when you made a bad choice.
If you change your opinions or choices to make your friends like you, are you showing your true self? Why or why not?
No. Changing yourself to gain approval means you aren't being authentic. Healthy friendships accept differences.
You accidently break something in class and feel embarrassed. What are 2 ways you could respond without hiding what happened?
Tell the truth, apologize, help fix what you broke, explain what happened without making excuses.
Is walking away from a bad choice a sign of losing control? Explain when it might actually show self-control.
No. Walking away can demonstrate self-control if you communicate your needs, take time to calm down, and return to solve the problem. Walking away also gives yourself time to go through all your options and to avoid acting impulsively.
Your friend breaks a classroom item and asks you to say you did it. What would be an honest response?
"I didn't break it, but I know you did. I can help you tell the teacher, but I won't say I did it."
Your friend is about to get in trouble for something they did. What are 2 ways you can support them without lying?
Encourage them to tell the truth, help them explain what happened, offer support, help them make things right.
If you could choose 3 words to describe the person you want to be, what would they be?
Kind, brave, honest, trustworthy, confident, helpful?
Why is it easier to walk away from a conversation about your behavior than it is to admit you made a mistake or wrong choice?
Walking away is easier because you avoid uncomfortable feelings. Admitting a mistake takes courage and strength to face the situation.
A teacher asks you to explain what happened, but you feel they have already made up their mind. How can you express that without shutting down?
You can say, "It's really important to me that you hear my side. Can I explain what happened? I might need a break if I start to become upset."
You participated in a problem but your friend did something worse. Why is it important to be honest about your own part?
Because you are still responsible for your own choices, even if someone else made a bigger mistake.
You offer to take the blame for something your friends did. What might happen if you do this repeatedly?
You might get in trouble for something you didn't do, teachers/helpers might lose trust with you, you teach your friends it's okay to avoid taking responsibility.
Imagine you are known as the tough kid that always protects your friends. What are some positive ways to show you're protective without getting yourself or others into trouble?
Stand up for someone, help them solve problems honestly, encourage them to tell the truth, get an adult when someone needs help.
Someone says, "If I admit I made the wrong choice, everyone will think I'm weak." What is another way to look at this situation?
Admitting to mistakes or wrong choices doesn't make someone weak. It shows confidence, honesty, maturity, and a willingness to learn.
You want to end a conversation because you feel embarrassed, but the problem still needs to be solved. What could you say to stay in control of yourself?
You can tell yourself, "I'm upset right now, but I know we need to talk. Can we take a short break and come back to this in 5 minutes?"
Someone says, "I didn't do anything wrong because everyone else was doing it." What is missing from their thinking?
They are using other people's behavior to justify their own behavior. Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn't make it okay.
A friend is making fun of another student. You want your friend to like you, but you know it's wrong. What could you do?
You can speak up, tell your friend to stop, refuse to participate in it, and support the student being bullied. Healthy friendships don't include bullying.
If you had to choose between being like by everyone and being someone you respect, which would you choose? Why?
Being someone you respect because you cannot control whether everyone likes you, but you can control your choices and what's important to you.
You know you hurt someone's feelings, but apologizing makes you feel uncomfortable. What might you be afraid of? How could you work through it?
I might be afraid of rejection, judgment, or making things worse. I can instead acknowledge those feelings, take responsibility, and apologize anyway.
Which takes more self-control: making someone do what you want, or managing your own reaction when things don't go your way? Defend your answer.
Managing your own reactions. You cannot control other people but you can control how you respond to frustration, disagreement, and disappointment.
You tell the truth about your actions, but our friends become angry with you. How can you stand by your choice without being unkind or betraying your friends?
Your friends says, "If you really are my friend, you'd let me win in basketball." How would you respond?
"Being your friend doesn't mean I have to let you win. I like playing basketball with you but I also want to play fairly." Healthy friendships are fair.