Try the no-prep way to teach Handling Rejection

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GO BACK All Goal Posters THIS SKILL Self-Esteem THIS GOAL Handling Rejection

Handling Rejection

Rejection is a big blow to our self-concept. This can result in a strong, overwhelming emotion that leads to retaliation. Handling rejection by peers is an important social grace that needs to be rehearsed so that it’s in a person’s toolbox of skills if this difficult moment should arise.

Preview an SEL skills lesson: Handling Rejection

1 Show the video to your students

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Everyone experiences rejection sometimes.

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Rejection can happen in our relationships,

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like when someone tells us ‘no’,
excludes, or breaks up with us.

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It can also result from life events,

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like when we don’t make a team
or an audition.

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When we experience rejection,

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we can often feel sadness, disappointment,
embarrassment, or anger.

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Rejection can be small,
medium or big.

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It’s important to
know how to handle

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all kinds of rejection.

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It’s a part of life
and happens to all of us.

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Small levels of rejection cause
temporary hurt or sadness.

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Our reaction
to small rejections

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should also be small.

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We usually
don’t say anything

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or show our feelings.

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We try to stay calm
and move on from it.

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Medium-sized rejections cause us
longer lasting feelings of sadness

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or shame.

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Medium rejections
are things like your friends

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repeatedly hanging out without you,

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relationship break-ups,
or losing a friend.

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For medium-sized rejections,
we’re careful who sees our reaction.

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If we’ve been rejected in front of others,
we often hide how upset we feel.

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It’s too much emotion to show publicly.

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We try to hide the emotion

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until we are in private
or with close friends or family

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who will listen, care,
and help us feel better.

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Big levels of rejection are hurtful,
rare, and unforgettable.

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They don’t happen often,

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but they can really hurt
when they do happen.

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Big rejections are things like
losing your entire group of friends.

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When a big rejection happens,
we need a lot of time to deal with it.

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We take time to talk to our friends
or family.

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Rejection does not feel good,

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but we can control our reaction
so that we handle it gracefully.

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To Handle Rejection, we:

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Stop and think:

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Is this rejection small,
medium, or big?

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Match your reaction
with the size of the situation.

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Share your feelings
with trusted people in your life.

2 Review with the Companion Worksheet
3 Apply new skills with activities & games!

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Other SEL materials on Handling Rejection
Handling Rejection Introduction Video
Handling Rejection Introduction

Middle & High School

Handling Rejection Interactive
Handling Rejection

Elementary School

Handling Embarrassment Role-Plays Activity
Handling Embarrassment Role-Plays

Middle & High School

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