Introduction

In a positive learning environment, it’s crucial for students to understand the difference between laughing with someone and laughing at them. When friends joke around with each other and everyone is laughing, it fosters a sense of camaraderie and belonging. However, when a group laughs at an individual who is upset or hurt, it can lead to feelings of exclusion and emotional distress. In this blog post, we will discuss an activity that helps students recognize the difference between laughing with someone and laughing at them, and provide discussion questions to facilitate deeper understanding.

No-Prep Activity

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. Begin by dividing the students into small groups. Ask each group to come up with two scenarios: one where they are laughing with someone and another where they are laughing at someone. Encourage them to think of situations that are realistic and could happen in their daily lives.

Once the groups have created their scenarios, ask them to act them out in front of the class. After each performance, have the class discuss whether the scenario was an example of laughing with someone or laughing at them. This will help students identify the key differences between the two situations and understand the impact of their actions on others.

Discussion Questions

1. How can you tell when someone is laughing with you versus laughing at you?
2. How does it feel when someone laughs with you? How does it feel when someone laughs at you?
3. Why is it important to be mindful of our actions and the feelings of others when joking around?
4. What steps can you take if you realize you have unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings by laughing at them?
5. How can you help create a positive environment where everyone feels included and supported?

Related Skills

Understanding the difference between laughing with someone and laughing at them is just one aspect of fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. Other relevant skills for students include:

• Empathy: Recognizing and understanding the feelings of others
• Active listening: Paying full attention to the speaker and showing genuine interest in what they are saying
• Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements in a constructive and respectful manner
• Assertiveness: Expressing one’s feelings, opinions, and needs in a respectful and confident way

Next Steps

Now that you have an understanding of the difference between laughing with someone and laughing at them, it’s essential to continue fostering a positive learning environment for your students. To help you achieve this, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of this skill and others at Everyday Speech. These resources will provide you with additional activities, discussion questions, and strategies to support your students’ social-emotional learning journey.