As educators, we often work with students who may struggle with unexpected changes in their daily routines. These changes can make them feel nervous and unsure of what will happen next. In life, things change constantly, and it’s essential for students to develop the ability to handle these changes effectively. This blog post will discuss a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help middle school students learn how to cope with unexpected changes in their lives.

Introduction

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is a crucial aspect of a student’s education, as it helps them develop essential skills to navigate their emotions and social interactions. One such skill is learning how to handle unexpected changes in their daily routines or plans. Students who can effectively cope with changes will be better prepared for the challenges they will encounter throughout their lives. Let’s explore an activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator to help students learn this valuable skill.

No-Prep Activity: The Change Game

This activity is designed to help students experience and adapt to unexpected changes in a fun and engaging way. Here’s how it works:

1. Have students form a circle, standing or sitting.
2. Explain that you will call out various actions that the students must perform (e.g., jumping jacks, clapping hands, running in place).
3. Begin calling out actions and have students perform them. After a short period, call out a new action, and students must immediately switch to the new action.
4. Continue for several minutes, changing actions frequently and without warning.
5. After the activity, gather the students and discuss their experiences and emotions during the game.

The Change Game helps students practice adapting to changes in a safe and supportive environment. It encourages them to develop flexibility and resilience, which are essential skills for coping with unexpected changes in their daily lives.

Discussion Questions

After completing the activity, use these questions to stimulate further discussions about coping with unexpected changes:

• How did you feel when the actions changed suddenly during the game? Did you feel nervous, frustrated, or excited?
• What strategies did you use to adapt to the changes in the game? How can you apply these strategies to real-life situations?
• Can you think of a time when you experienced an unexpected change in your life? How did you handle it, and what could you have done differently?
• Why is it essential to learn how to cope with unexpected changes? How can it help you in school and your personal life?
• What other skills can you develop to better handle changes and manage your emotions?

Related Skills

Learning to cope with unexpected changes is just one aspect of developing strong social-emotional skills. Other relevant skills for middle school students include:

• Self-awareness: Understanding and recognizing one’s emotions and thoughts.
• Self-regulation: Managing and controlling one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
• Communication: Effectively expressing oneself and listening to others.
• Problem-solving: Identifying, analyzing, and resolving conflicts and challenges.

Next Steps

Helping students develop the ability to cope with unexpected changes is a vital aspect of their social-emotional growth. To further support your students in developing these skills, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of skill-building activities and materials at Everyday Speech. These resources are designed to help educators create engaging and effective SEL lessons for their students, preparing them for success in school and beyond.