Introduction

Students often encounter situations in which others may not follow the rules or engage in behaviors that
bother them. It’s important for them to learn how to manage their emotions and reactions in these
situations to maintain control and establish healthy boundaries. In this blog post, we will discuss a
no-prep activity designed to help middle school students develop self-regulation skills and focus on
themselves in social situations. This activity incorporates principles of Social-Emotional Learning to
promote self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and healthy relationships.

No-Prep Activity

The following activity, “The Rule Breaker,” requires no preparation or materials from the educator and
is ideal for middle school students. This activity encourages students to reflect on their reactions to
others’ rule-breaking behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.

1. Ask students to form a circle and sit comfortably.
2. Explain that you will present a scenario in which someone breaks a rule or engages in a behavior
   that might bother them.
3. Read the scenario provided in the user input above, involving Mike, Jeff, Kate, and Sarah.
4. Ask students to consider how Mike could have reacted differently, focusing on his own feelings and
   actions instead of getting upset about Jeff’s behavior.
5. Invite students to share their thoughts and ideas, promoting a positive and supportive
   discussion.

Discussion Questions

After completing the “The Rule Breaker” activity, use these questions to facilitate further
discussions:

• How did Mike’s reaction to Jeff’s behavior affect his classmates? How could he have approached the
  situation differently?
• Can you think of a time when you felt upset or worried about someone else’s actions? How did you
  handle the situation?
• What strategies can you use to focus on yourself and maintain control when you feel upset about
  someone else’s behavior?
• How can understanding and practicing self-regulation help you in your relationships with others?
• Why is it important to focus on ourselves in social situations, even when we feel bothered by
  others’ actions?

Related Skills

In addition to self-regulation, there are other related skills that can help students navigate social
situations and maintain healthy relationships, including:

• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
• Active listening: Paying full attention to the speaker and responding appropriately.
• Assertiveness: Expressing one’s feelings, beliefs, and opinions in a respectful and confident
  manner.
• Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements in a constructive and cooperative way.

Next Steps

Developing self-regulation skills is an important aspect of Social-Emotional Learning that can greatly
benefit middle school students. If you’re interested in exploring more activities and resources to
support your students’ growth in this area, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of our
materials at Everyday Speech. You’ll find a wealth of resources designed to help students
build essential life skills and foster healthy relationships.