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.

Resources: