Introduction
As we return to school during these unprecedented times, it is essential to help middle school students adapt to new routines and safety measures. This blog post will provide educators with an overview of a no-prep activity, discussion questions, related skills, and next steps to support students in adjusting to new school environments, whether online, in-person, or a mix of both.
No-Prep Activity: The Safety Scenarios Game
This activity aims to help students understand the importance of following new school rules and safety protocols. To begin, have the students sit in a circle or a virtual meeting room, maintaining social distancing if in-person. The teacher will present various safety scenarios related to the new school routines, and students will take turns suggesting appropriate responses or actions to ensure everyone’s safety.
Examples of scenarios can include:
- A student sneezes into their hand and then reaches for a doorknob.
- During lunchtime, a student wants to share their snack with a friend.
- Students are walking in the hallway, and some are not following the new directional signs.
Encourage students to think critically about each scenario and discuss the reasons behind their suggested actions.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think it is important to follow the new school routines and safety measures?
- How can we help our friends and classmates remember and follow these new rules?
- What challenges might you face in adapting to these new routines, and how can you overcome them?
- How do you feel about the changes in school routines? What strategies can you use to cope with these feelings?
- What are some positive aspects of these new routines that you can focus on?
Related Skills
In addition to adapting to new school routines, students can benefit from developing other related skills, such as:
- Communication: Effectively expressing thoughts and feelings, and understanding others’ perspectives.
- Problem-solving: Identifying and resolving conflicts or challenges that may arise in the new school environment.
- Resilience: Building the ability to cope with and bounce back from difficult situations.
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of classmates who may also be struggling with the new routines.
- Self-awareness: Recognizing personal emotions and reactions to the changes and developing strategies to manage them.
Next Steps
To further support your students in adapting to new school routines and developing related social-emotional skills, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of our skill-based materials at Everyday Speech. Our resources will provide you with engaging activities and strategies to help your students navigate these challenging times effectively and confidently.
