Subject: SEL (Social-Emotional Learning)
Lesson Length: 15 - 20 mins
Topic: Building Strong Relationships
Brief Description: Through this sample comic, students will learn to use compassionate words when apologizing.
Know Before You Start: Students should have some understanding of what a good apology looks like.
Hook: Discuss the best ways to apologize. Is just saying “I’m sorry” a good apology? Why or why not? Remind students that an apology should be reflective and detailed about their regret.
Review the components of a proper apology:
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Reflect on what happened.
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Accept ownership for your mistake(s).
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Rephrase what you meant to say now that you have regret.
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Ask the person you hurt how to make it better.
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Understand that the victim may still be frustrated.
Activity: Read the sample comic as a class or independently.
- In small groups, have students discuss how they would apologize for each of the comic scenarios using the five steps of apologizing mentioned above. Model an example if necessary:
“I’m sorry I took the book you were reading and accidentally tore its cover. I wanted your attention and you weren’t giving it to me as fast as I think I should have gotten it. I overreacted. I should have let you come to me when you were ready and not distracted you from reading. Can I do anything to make this better? It’s OK if you’re still upset with me.”
Closure: Have students share their sample comic apologies with the whole group. Reflect on how students may use different words or emotions to say a similar type of apology.
Differentiation:
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Display visual representation of proper apology components.
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Act out or model a scenario and proper apology.
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Provide sentence frames as needed.
Resources:
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Comic to print or display: Comic.