Resilience Role-Play Activity

Objective: Practice resilient responses in real-world situations through structured role-play and reflection.

Time: 30 minutes

Materials:

• Printed sets of Resilience Scenario Role-Play Cards
• Each student’s Emotional Resilience Toolkit Worksheet
• Timer or stopwatch

Prep (15 minutes):

• Print and cut sets of Resilience Scenario Role-Play Cards.
• Ensure each student has a copy of the Emotional Resilience Toolkit Worksheet.
• Arrange seating into small groups of 3–4.
• Review scenarios and reflection prompts.

Instructions

1. Introduction to Role-Play (5 minutes)

   • Explain that role-play helps us rehearse resilient behaviors before real setbacks occur.
   • Review 2–3 key resilience strategies (e.g., positive self-talk, seeking support).

2. Group Formation & Role Assignment (5 minutes)

   • In groups of 3–4, each team draws one scenario card.
   • Assign roles: “Person Facing the Setback,” “Supportive Friend,” and “Observer/Note-Taker.”

3. First Role-Play: Default Response (8 minutes)

   • Teams act out the scenario using a typical, non-resilient reaction (e.g., shutting down, blaming others).
   • Observer records emotional cues and reactions on the worksheet.

4. Second Role-Play: Resilient Response (8 minutes)

   • Replay the same scenario, this time applying resilience strategies from the introduction.
   • Observer notes which strategies were used and their effects.

5. Small-Group Reflection (4 minutes)

   • Using the back of the worksheet, groups discuss:
     1. Which resilience strategy made the biggest difference?
     2. How did the resilient approach change the outcome?
     3. How could you apply this strategy in your own life?

6. Class Debrief (5 minutes)

   • Invite each group to share one insight or strategy that stood out.
   • Highlight creative or unexpected uses of resilience techniques.

End of Activity – Transition back to full-group session.

Resilience Discussion

Purpose

Guide students to articulate their understanding of emotional resilience, connect personally with the concept, and explore effective strategies through a structured group conversation.

Discussion Guidelines

• Listen respectfully and allow each person to speak without interruption.
• Use "I" statements when sharing personal experiences.
• Build on others’ ideas by adding examples or follow-up questions.
• Keep contributions concise to allow everyone a turn.

1. Defining Resilience (5 minutes)

Prompt: In your own words, what does “emotional resilience” mean? How is it different from simply “being strong”?







Follow-Up Questions:

• What are some emotions we typically associate with strength? Are there others?
• Can resilience involve feeling vulnerable first? Why or why not?

2. Personal Experience (10 minutes)

Prompt: Think of a time you faced a setback (e.g., a bad grade, a conflict with a friend, a sports loss). How did you respond emotionally, and what helped you move forward?










Follow-Up Questions:

• Which part of your response felt resilient?
• Did you rely on any particular support or strategy? If so, what was most helpful?

3. Strategy Brainstorm (10 minutes)

Prompt: Based on your Emotional Resilience Toolkit Worksheet, share one strategy you’ve tried (positive self-talk, reaching out for help, setting small goals, etc.). How did it impact your recovery?







Follow-Up Questions:

• Was this strategy easy or challenging to use under stress? Why?
• How might you adapt it for a future setback?

4. Overcoming Obstacles (10 minutes)

Prompt: Sometimes, resilience strategies don’t work as planned. Share a time when a strategy failed or felt insufficient. What stopped it from working, and what did you learn?







Follow-Up Questions:

• What could you try differently next time?
• How does learning from a failed attempt contribute to resilience?

5. Class Synthesis (10 minutes)

• Invite 3–4 volunteers to briefly share a key insight from today’s discussion.
• As a group, identify two new ideas or techniques that emerged. Write them on the board.

Final Reflection (5 minutes)

Prompt: On the back of your worksheet, write one action step you commit to using when you face your next challenge.

Wrap-Up: Thank everyone for their contributions. Encourage them to revisit these discussion points and their worksheets whenever they need a resilience boost.