Introduction

In life, people may occasionally break rules, which can be bothersome to some. High school students, in particular, may have a strong reaction to rule-breaking, leading to feelings of worry and upset. When these emotions escalate, it may result in a loss of control, causing discomfort for those around them. Through Social-Emotional Learning, educators can help students learn the importance of focusing on themselves and managing their emotions in such situations.

No-Prep Activity

Here’s an activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator. This role-play exercise can help students practice managing their emotions when they witness others breaking rules:

1. Divide the students into groups of three or four.
2. Assign one student in each group the role of a rule-breaker, while the others will play the part of observers.
3. Present a scenario to the class, such as a student skipping class or talking during a test.
4. Ask the students to perform the scenario, with the rule-breaker acting out the behavior and the observers noticing it.
5. Encourage the observers to practice focusing on themselves and managing their emotions instead of reacting to the rule-breaker’s behavior.
6. After the role-play, have the students discuss their thoughts and feelings about the situation.

Discussion Questions

These questions can help stimulate further discussion about the topic:

1. How did it feel to observe someone breaking the rules? What emotions did you experience during the role-play?
2. What strategies did you use to focus on yourself and manage your emotions in the situation?
3. How could reacting negatively to the rule-breaker’s behavior affect your relationships with your peers and teachers?
4. What other situations may require you to focus on yourself and manage your emotions? How can you apply these strategies in those situations?
5. How can understanding and managing your emotions contribute to a more positive and supportive school environment?

Related Skills

Other relevant skills for students to develop include:

• Empathy: Understanding the feelings and perspectives of others can help students respond to rule-breaking in a more compassionate and measured way.
• Conflict resolution: Learning to address disagreements and conflicts in a constructive manner can help students navigate challenging situations.
• Stress management: Developing techniques to manage stress can enable students to remain calm and focused on themselves in difficult situations.
• Active listening: Practicing active listening allows students to gain a better understanding of others’ thoughts and feelings, helping them respond appropriately.

Next Steps

By incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning, educators can help students develop the skills necessary to focus on themselves and manage their emotions when faced with rule-breaking behaviors. To access free samples of skill-building materials and activities, sign up here.