Searching for a free using a filter activity for your social skills groups? Look no further! Download this free PDF to make your next session a breeze!
Using a Filter Activity
We call this concept, Think It or Say It. This concept teaches that before we speak, we consider the emotional impact of those thoughts on others. Many of our thoughts are honest judgments, but we filter or choose not to say the ones that could hurt someone. Learners will use Think It or Say It to pause and reflect before saying their thoughts out loud.
Lesson Plan
1. Introduce the Concept
I like to start by drawing out a thought bubble and a speech bubble to help illustrate this topic. Explain how some comments are best to leave in our thought bubbles because they would hurt someone’s feelings if we said them. The included review poster can help introduce the topic as well.
2. Brainstorm Examples
Ask your students to make a list of examples that would be okay to “Say” and ones they should keep in their heads or “Think”. Next, talk about the importance of this skill and how it can hurt others’ feelings if we say some of those thoughts out loud.
3. Get Lots of Practice
This Think It or Say It packet comes with over 30 sample scenarios for your students to gain practice with. Print them out and cut up the cards when you’re ready to go through them. You can play as a game where teams earn points or just run through them for some practice! We’ve also included a page with blank cards so you or your students can write your own scenarios.
Sample Video
For more time saving tips, try out this sample video-modeling lesson. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here! We release new videos, games, & activities every month so you’ll always have no-prep materials ready to go!
