Introduction
In social situations, middle school students are often faced with the challenge of declining invitations for various reasons. It is important for them to learn how to do so in a polite and respectful way, ensuring they maintain healthy relationships with their peers. In this blog post, we will discuss an engaging no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help educators teach students the importance of being polite when declining invitations.
No-Prep Activity: Role-Playing Scenarios
This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. Begin by dividing students into pairs or small groups. Assign each group a scenario in which one person is inviting the other to an event or activity, and the other person needs to decline the invitation politely. Some examples of scenarios can include:
- Inviting a friend to a sleepover, but the friend has a family event that night
- Asking a classmate to join a sports team, but the classmate is already fully committed to other activities
- Inviting someone to a movie, but the person doesn’t enjoy the genre of the film
Have each group practice their scenario, focusing on the polite way to decline the invitation. Afterward, ask the groups to share their scenarios with the class and discuss the polite responses they came up with.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to be polite when declining an invitation?
- How can our words and actions affect others’ feelings when we decline an invitation?
- What are some polite phrases you can use to decline an invitation?
- How can you show appreciation for the invitation even if you can’t attend the event?
- How would you feel if someone declined your invitation in an impolite way? How would you want them to respond instead?
Related Skills
In addition to teaching students how to politely decline invitations, there are other related social-emotional learning skills that can help students navigate social situations effectively. These skills include:
- Active Listening: Students should learn to listen carefully and attentively to others, showing respect for their feelings and opinions.
- Empathy: Encourage students to put themselves in others’ shoes and understand their emotions, making it easier to respond politely and considerately.
- Assertiveness: Teach students to express their thoughts and feelings honestly and respectfully, without being passive or aggressive.
- Conflict Resolution: Help students develop strategies to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings in a constructive manner, maintaining positive relationships with their peers.
Next Steps
Teaching students to politely decline invitations is a valuable social skill that will benefit them throughout their lives. By incorporating the no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills mentioned in this blog post, educators can effectively guide students in developing this essential skill.
To access more resources and free samples of skill-building activities for middle school students, be sure to sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech.
