Scenario: You’re paired with someone new for a partner reading assignment. You say, “What books do you usually like to read?” Question: How might this help your partner feel? Why is this a good communication choice?
They might feel welcomed or relaxed. It shows you’re friendly and trying to connect.
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Scenario: You love space and talk about it for five minutes straight to a kid who just said, “I don’t really care about planets.” Question: How might they feel? What could you say or do next?
They might feel bored or overwhelmed. You could say, “Oops! What do you like to talk about?”
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Scenario: You’re upset someone took a toy you were using. You yell, “Give it back! You’re so mean!” Question: How might the other person feel? What’s a better way to get the toy back?
They might feel attacked and not want to share. A better way: “I was using that toy. Can I please have it back when you're done?”
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Scenario: A classmate shows you their painting and asks what you think. You say, “It’s really messy.” Question: How might that make them feel? How could you give feedback more kindly?
They might feel discouraged. You could say, “It’s colorful! Maybe you could try adding more detail.”
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Scenario: You're super excited about the new Minecraft movie. At recess, you start telling another kid who also loves Minecraft every detail you know. Question: How might that kid feel when you talk a lot about Minecraft?
They might feel excited and happy because they like the same thing and enjoy the conversation.
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Scenario: You’re trying to concentrate on your work, but the person next to you keeps talking. Question: How could you ask them to be quiet using an assertive style?
You could say, “I’m trying to focus on my work. Can we talk later?”
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Scenario: You’re talking about your favorite video game and notice the other person keeps looking away and not answering. Question: What might they be feeling? What should you do?
They might be bored or not interested. You could ask, “Do you want to keep talking about this or something else?”
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Scenario: A kid you don’t know bumps into you at the park, and you shout, “Watch where you’re going, dummy!” Question: How might that kid feel? What might be a better way to handle it?
They might feel scared or upset. A better way would be to say, “Hey, that hurt. Please be careful.”
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Scenario: Your classmate wears a bright orange shirt. You say, “That shirt is so weird.” Question: How might they feel? What’s a more respectful way to give an opinion?
They might feel hurt or embarrassed. A better way would be to say nothing, or say something neutral like, “That’s a really bright color!”
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Scenario: Someone accidentally bumps you in line. You turn and yell, “What’s your problem?!” Question: What might the other person think or feel? What’s a better choice?
They might feel confused or scared, especially if it was an accident. A better choice: “Hey, please be careful next time.”
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Scenario: You’re sitting next to a kid you don’t know in the waiting room. You say, “Hi, do you like Pokémon?” Question: What might this kind of small talk help with?
It might help start a friendly conversation and make both of you feel less nervous or bored.
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Scenario: Your group keeps ignoring your ideas during a science project. Question: How could you use assertive communication to get their attention?
You could say, “I’d like to share my idea too, and I think it might help us.”
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Scenario: You lose a game of kickball and shout, “That’s not fair! You all cheated!” Question: How might your classmates react? What could you do instead?
They might feel frustrated or not want to play with you. Instead, you could say, “I’m upset we lost, but good game.”
