Attention Matters Worksheet

Part 1: Personal Reflections on Attention

1. Think about a time when you received positive attention (such as praise, recognition, or encouragement). Describe the situation and explain how it made you feel.
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Now, reflect on a moment when you experienced negative attention (such as criticism, gossip, or a negative remark). What happened and how did it impact your mood or behavior?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Identifying Attention in Daily Life

3. List three examples of positive attention that you see in your everyday life (at school, home, or with friends).
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Identify and describe two situations where negative attention might occur. What are some potential consequences?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Strategy Brainstorming

5. Think about ways to encourage positive attention both for yourself and others. Write down at least two strategies that you could use to make sure that interactions are uplifting.
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. Consider situations where negative attention might be used to manipulate or control behavior. What are some strategies to effectively address or avoid these challenges?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 4: Future Goals

7. Based on your reflections, set one personal goal for seeking or encouraging positive attention in your future interactions. How will you work towards this goal?
   
   
   
   
   
   

8. Write one question you still have about the effects of attention or ideas you’d like to explore further during our class discussions.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Keep your responses clear so you can easily refer back to them in class discussions!

Attention Matters Discussion Guide

This discussion guide is designed to facilitate engaging conversations about positive and negative attention. Use these prompts in both sessions to help students share personal insights, reflect on their experiences, and develop strategies for fostering positive relationships and minimizing negative influences.

Opening Questions

1. What does the word "attention" mean to you? How do you think it influences our behavior and relationships?
   
   
   
2. Can you share an example (from personal experience or observation) where attention played a significant role in someone's behavior?
   
   
   

Exploring Positive Attention

1. What are some examples of positive attention in your daily life (at school, at home, with friends)?
   
   
   
2. How does positive attention make you feel? In what ways does it influence your actions or decisions?
   
   
   
3. What are some ways we can intentionally give or seek positive attention for ourselves and others?
   
   
   

Exploring Negative Attention

1. Think of instances where negative attention might surface (for instance, through criticism, gossip, or other discouraging behaviors). What impact does negative attention have on individuals and groups?
   
   
   
2. How can negative attention affect someone’s self-esteem or behavior?
   
   
   
3. What strategies can you think of to minimize or counteract the effects of negative attention in your environment?
   
   
   

Connecting to Personal Experience

1. Reflect on a time when you received positive attention. How did that experience influence your confidence or mood?
   
   
   
2. Share a moment when negative attention affected you or someone you know. What did you learn from that experience?
   
   
   

Strategy Brainstorming and Action Steps

1. Based on our conversation, what are some steps you can take to seek positive attention in challenging situations?
   
   
   
2. What strategies could help deflect or transform negative attention into a more positive outcome?
   
   
   
3. Think about your personal goals. What is one concrete action you can take to foster positive interactions in your daily life?
   
   
   

Reflective Closing

1. What is one new insight you gained today about how attention—both positive and negative—affects human behavior?
   
   
   
2. Is there a lingering question you have or an area you’d like to explore further regarding the impact of attention?
   
   
   

Feel free to refer back to these questions as you complete your Attention Matters Worksheet and during our role-playing activity. Your shared experiences and ideas are a valuable part of our learning journey!

Attention-Boost Activity

Overview

In this activity, students will participate in role-playing scenarios designed to help them apply the concepts of positive and negative attention in real-life situations. They will practice strategies for seeking positive attention and managing negative attention, enhancing their communication and social interaction skills.

Activity Structure

1. Preparation (5 minutes)

• Arrange the classroom into small groups of 3-4 students.
• Each group receives a scenario card that outlines a situation where attention (positive or negative) plays a significant role.

2. Role-Playing (15 minutes)

• Instructions: Each group will assign roles among the students (e.g., person seeking attention, observers, challenger).
• Scenario Practice: Students act out the situation. For example, one student might display behaviors to draw positive attention (e.g., sharing an achievement) while another may initially respond with negative attention. Groups must then practice strategies to shift the negative attention into constructive feedback.
• Tips for Success:
  • Try to stay in character to simulate a realistic interaction.
  • Use communication techniques such as affirming language, active listening, and reflective responses to manage the situation.

3. Discussion and Reflection (10 minutes)

• After the role-playing, groups discuss the following questions:
  1. What strategies worked well to secure positive attention?
  2. How did you successfully address or mitigate any negative responses?
  3. What alternative approaches might be effective in similar scenarios?
• Each group will share one key insight with the class. Use the Attention Matters Discussion Guide to frame your reflections.

Follow-Up Questions

• How did this activity change your perspective on seeking and giving attention?
• Can you identify moments in your daily life where these strategies might be applied?
• What challenges did you encounter during the role-play, and how might you overcome them in real situations?

Remember: The goal of this activity is to reinforce practical strategies that lead to more positive social interactions. Reflect on both your verbal and non-verbal cues during the exercise, and consider how they influence the outcomes of these scenarios.