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    The Art of Apologizing

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    Subject: SEL (Social-Emotional Learning)

    Lesson Length: 15 - 20 mins

    Topic: Building Strong Relationships

    Grade Level: 4, 5, 6

    Standards / Framework:

    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:
      • Reflect on what happened.
      • Accept ownership for your mistake(s).
      • Rephrase what you meant to say now that you have regret.
      • Ask the person you hurt how to make it better.
      • 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:

    • Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
    • Allow students to work in pairs or groups as needed.

    • Display visual representation of proper apology components. 

    • Act out or model a scenario and proper apology. 

    • Provide sentence frames as needed.

    • Allow students to use the voiceover feature to read their comics aloud.

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