Introduction

As educators, we have a responsibility to teach our high school students about respectful behavior, particularly when they are attracted to someone. It is important to help them understand that making comments about someone’s looks or body can make the person feel uncomfortable. In this blog, we will explore an activity that promotes awareness of how our actions can affect others, discuss related questions, and suggest further resources to help students develop these essential social-emotional skills.

No-Prep Activity: Role-Playing Scenarios

This activity requires no preparation or materials and can be easily implemented in the classroom. It focuses on helping students understand the impact of their words and actions on others.

1. Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students.
2. Assign each group a different scenario related to being attracted to someone. For example, one scenario could involve a student wanting to compliment a classmate on their appearance, while another could involve a student trying to get the attention of someone they find attractive.
3. Ask each group to discuss and come up with a respectful way to handle the assigned situation. Encourage them to consider the feelings of the person they are attracted to and how their actions might make that person feel.
4. Have each group present their scenario and solution to the class. Encourage other students to ask questions and provide feedback on the group’s approach.
5. As a class, discuss the importance of treating people with respect and considering their feelings, especially when attracted to them.

Discussion Questions

• Why is it important to think about how our actions might make someone feel when we are attracted to them?
• What are some examples of respectful ways to express interest in someone?
• How can we recognize when our actions may be making someone feel uncomfortable or embarrassed?
• Why is it essential to treat everyone with respect, regardless of our feelings towards them?
• What can we do if we witness someone treating another person inappropriately due to attraction?

Related Skills

Teaching students to treat others with respect when they are attracted to them is just one aspect of social-emotional learning. Other related skills that educators can help students develop include:

• Effective communication: Learning to express thoughts and feelings clearly and respectfully.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which can help students become more aware of how their actions affect the people around them.
• Self-awareness: Recognizing one’s own emotions and understanding how they can influence behavior.
• Decision-making: Evaluating the potential consequences of actions and making responsible choices.

Next Steps

Helping students develop respectful behavior when attracted to someone is essential for fostering healthy relationships and a positive school environment. To access free sample materials related to social-emotional learning, including lessons, activities, and videos, sign up at Everyday Speech. By incorporating these resources into your curriculum, you can support your high school students in developing the skills necessary to navigate social situations with respect and empathy.