Introduction
In today’s diverse world, it is essential for students to learn how to respect others’ opinions, thoughts, and ideas. Disagreements are inevitable, but it’s crucial for students to maintain a respectful attitude even when they don’t agree with someone else. In this blog post, we will discuss an easy-to-implement, no-prep activity that teaches elementary students the importance of respecting others’ opinions, as well as some discussion questions to encourage further exploration of this vital skill. Additionally, we will mention related skills that can further enhance students’ social-emotional learning experience.
No-Prep Activity
This no-prep activity, called “Agree to Disagree,” allows students to practice listening, taking turns, and expressing their opinions respectfully. Begin by gathering students in a circle. The educator will present a statement or topic that may have varying opinions (e.g., “The best season of the year is summer.”). Each student will then have a chance to share their opinion on the statement, using a respectful tone of voice and kind words.
Encourage students to listen carefully to their peers without interrupting. After everyone has shared their thoughts, ask the students to identify any differing opinions within the group. Emphasize that it’s okay to have different opinions and that respecting others’ ideas is essential, even when they don’t agree. Repeat this process with various statements or topics to give students ample practice in respecting others’ opinions.
Discussion Questions
- How do you feel when someone interrupts you or doesn’t listen to your opinion? How can you ensure that you give others the same respect you’d like to receive?
- Can you think of a time when you disagreed with someone but still showed them respect? How did you handle the situation?
- Why is it important to use a calm voice and kind words when expressing our opinions, even when we disagree with someone?
- How can respecting others’ opinions help us learn and grow as individuals and as a community?
- What strategies can you use to keep hurtful thoughts in your head and only say things that are kind or helpful?
Related Skills
Respecting others’ opinions is just one aspect of social-emotional learning. Other related skills that can enhance students’ understanding and practice of respect include:
- Active listening: Encouraging students to focus on the speaker, make eye contact, and ask clarifying questions.
- Empathy: Teaching students to put themselves in others’ shoes and consider their feelings and perspectives.
- Conflict resolution: Guiding students through resolving disagreements in a respectful and cooperative manner.
- Self-awareness: Helping students recognize their own emotions and how they may impact their interactions with others.
- Emotional regulation: Providing students with strategies to manage their emotions and express them in appropriate ways.
Next Steps
Teaching students to respect others’ opinions is a vital step in fostering a positive learning environment and promoting social-emotional growth. For more activities and resources related to this skill and others, we encourage you to sign up for free sample materials from Everyday Speech. These materials are designed to make it easy for educators to incorporate social-emotional learning into their daily routines, helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in and out of the classroom.
