Hero's Choice! Script

Introduction (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 2)

"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going on an exciting adventure where you get to be the hero! Our lesson is called Hero's Choice! Have you ever read a 'choose your own adventure' book? Well, today, we're going to create our own story together.

On the screen, you'll see different situations, and our job as heroes is to help the characters make the best choices. We'll practice looking for problems, understanding feelings, and figuring out what to do next. This is a super important skill for real life, too, because every day we make choices that affect ourselves and others.

Are you ready to be a social superhero? Let's begin!"

Scenario 1: The Building Block Blocker (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 3)

"Alright, heroes, here's our first situation. Listen carefully:

Leo is building an amazing castle with blocks. He's almost done when Maya walks by and accidentally knocks down a big part of it! Leo's face turns red, and he clenches his fists.

First, my heroes, let's use our problem-solving radar. What's the big problem in this situation? What went wrong for Leo?

Wait for student responses. Guide towards: Maya accidentally knocked down Leo's castle.

"Excellent! Now, let's put on our empathy hats. How do you think Leo might be feeling right now, with his face red and his fists clenched? And what about Maya? How do you think she feels, knowing she accidentally knocked down his hard work?"

Wait for student responses. Guide towards: Leo is angry, frustrated, sad. Maya might be sorry, embarrassed, scared.

What Should Leo Do? (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 4)

"Great thinking! Now Leo has a choice to make. He can:

A. Yell at Maya: 'You ruined it!'
B. Take a deep breath and say: 'Maya, I'm upset because my castle fell down. Can you help me rebuild it?'
C. Cry quietly: And walk away.

"Heroes, talk with your elbow partner for a moment. Which choice do you think is the best for Leo to make? Why? What strategy is he using in that choice to solve the problem or cope with his feelings? [For Wesley: What is a good strategy for Leo to use to solve the problem or feel better? What coping strategy could help him right now?] Let's share our ideas."

Listen to student discussions. Encourage reciprocal conversation (Benchmark 5). If they choose A or C, discuss why those might not be the most helpful long-term options before moving to B.

Consequence of Choice A (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 5)

"If Leo yells... [Read slide consequence]. Look at what happened. Did yelling help Leo's castle get rebuilt? Did it make Maya feel like helping? How do you think Leo feels now? Did this solve the problem, or just make things worse?"

Consequence of Choice B (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 6)

"Now, if Leo takes a deep breath and says... [Read slide consequence]. See how different that is? What happened when Leo used his words to explain how he felt and ask for help? How did Maya respond? Were they able to talk together and solve the problem? This shows a great way to talk and work things out, and Leo used a good strategy! [For Wesley: This is a great example of a coping strategy (taking a breath) and a problem-solving strategy (asking for help) and having a conversation!]"

Consequence of Choice C (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 7)

"If Leo cries quietly... [Read slide consequence]. Sometimes we feel like crying, and that's okay. But what happens if we don't tell anyone what's wrong? Does the problem get fixed? How does Leo feel now? Did he use any strategies to help himself or the situation?"

Scenario 2: The Art Project Predicament (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 8)

"Fantastic job, heroes! Let's try another one. Here's our next adventure:

Sarah is working hard on her art project, carefully painting a rainbow. Ben rushes past her table to get a crayon and bumps her arm, causing her to accidentally spill blue paint all over her beautiful rainbow!

Our problem radar is on! What is the problem Sarah is facing here? What happened?

Wait for student responses. Guide towards: Ben accidentally spilled paint on Sarah's project.

"Now for our empathy hats. How do you think Sarah is feeling right now, seeing blue paint all over her rainbow? And how do you think Ben feels, realizing he just caused a big mess?"

Wait for student responses. Guide towards: Sarah is frustrated, sad, angry. Ben might be guilty, embarrassed, sorry.

What Should Sarah Do? (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 9)

"Sarah also has a choice. She can:

A. Scream loudly: 'You ruined my art!'
B. Take a moment, then tell Ben: 'I'm frustrated because my rainbow got paint on it when you bumped me. Please be more careful.'
C. Hide her project: And not finish it.

"Discuss with your partner again: Which choice helps Sarah the most? What strategy is she using to deal with the situation or her feelings? [For Wesley: What is a coping strategy Sarah could use before she talks to Ben? What is a problem-solving strategy she could use with Ben?] Let's hear your heroic thoughts!"

Listen to student discussions.

Consequence of Choice A (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 10)

"If Sarah screams... [Read slide consequence]. Oh dear. Does screaming usually make things better or worse? How did this make Ben feel? And Sarah? Did screaming help fix the rainbow?"

Consequence of Choice B (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 11)

"If Sarah takes a moment and talks to Ben... [Read slide consequence]. Look at that! What difference did it make when Sarah used her words clearly and calmly? How did Ben respond? Were they able to have a conversation and find a creative solution together? That's what being a social hero is all about! Sarah used a great strategy! [For Wesley: This shows a great way to manage feelings, solve a problem, and have a good conversation!]"

Consequence of Choice C (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 12)

"If Sarah hides her project... [Read slide consequence]. What happens if we hide our problems? Do they go away? How might Sarah feel later about not finishing her project? Does this show a good coping strategy?"

Scenario 3: The Playground Problem (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 13)

"Alright, heroes, one more important situation! Listen carefully:

During recess, Sam overhears a group of older kids using a swear word that makes him feel uncomfortable and a little scared. He knows he shouldn't repeat it, but he's not sure what to do.

First, let's use our problem-solving radar. What's the big problem in this situation for Sam? What is making him feel uncomfortable?

Wait for student responses. Guide towards: Sam heard older kids swearing, and it made him feel uncomfortable/scared.

"Excellent! Now, let's put on our empathy hats. How do you think Sam is feeling right now, hearing those words and not knowing what to do? And do you think the older kids realize how their words might make others feel?"

Wait for student responses. Guide towards: Sam is uncomfortable, scared, worried. Older kids might not be thinking about it.

What Should Sam Do? (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 14)

"Great thinking! Now Sam has a choice to make. He can:

A. Ignore it: And pretend he didn't hear anything.
B. Tell a trusted adult: Like his teacher or a playground monitor.
C. Tell the older kids: "Stop swearing!"

"Heroes, talk with your elbow partner. Which choice do you think is the best for Sam to make? Why? What strategy is he using in that choice to solve the problem or cope with his feelings? [For Wesley: What is a good strategy for Sam to use to solve this problem or feel better? What coping strategy could help him if he feels scared?] Let's share our ideas."

Listen to student discussions. Encourage reciprocal conversation (Benchmark 5). Discuss why A or C might be less effective or potentially problematic.

Consequence of Choice A (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 15)

"If Sam ignores it... [Read slide consequence]. Did ignoring it make Sam feel better in the long run? Did it stop the problem from happening again? Is this a helpful coping strategy?"

Consequence of Choice B (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 16)

"Now, if Sam tells a trusted adult... [Read slide consequence]. See how different that is? What happened when Sam used his voice and told an adult? How did the teacher respond? How did Sam feel? This shows a great way to handle tricky situations and have a conversation about what happened! Sam used a great strategy! [For Wesley: This is a great example of a coping strategy (getting help from an adult) and a problem-solving strategy (telling a trusted adult) and having a helpful conversation!]"

Consequence of Choice C (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 17)

"If Sam tells the older kids to stop... [Read slide consequence]. Sometimes, telling someone directly can work, but what might happen if the older kids get angry or don't listen? How might that make Sam feel? Is this a safe or effective strategy?"

Scenario 4: The Shared Toy Trouble (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 19)

"Excellent work, heroes! Let's move on to our next challenge:

Liam and Chloe both want to play with the new robot toy at the same time. Liam grabbed it first, but Chloe really wants a turn now and tries to pull it away from him.

First, our problem radar! What's the problem in this situation?

Wait for student responses. Guide towards: Liam and Chloe both want the same toy and are struggling over it.

"Now, for our empathy hats. How do you think Liam is feeling, since he had the toy first? And how do you think Chloe is feeling, wanting a turn?"

Wait for student responses. Guide towards: Both are frustrated, maybe a little angry or sad. Liam might feel possessive, Chloe might feel impatient.

What Should Liam and Chloe Do? (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 20)

"They have a choice to make. They can:

A. Pull harder: Both try to get the toy, leading to a tug-of-war.
B. Suggest taking turns: One says, "Let's take turns! I'll play for 5 minutes, then you can."
C. Throw the toy down: And both walk away upset.

"Heroes, discuss with your partner: Which choice do you think is the best to solve this problem? Why? What strategy are they using in that choice to resolve the conflict or manage their feelings? [For Wesley: What strategy could they use to share? Or, what coping strategy could help them calm down if they're feeling frustrated?]"

Listen to student discussions.

Consequence of Choice A (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 21)

"If they pull harder... [Read slide consequence]. Oh no! Did that solve the problem of playing with the toy? How do they both feel now? Did this choice help solve the problem?"

Consequence of Choice B (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 22)

"Now, if they suggest taking turns... [Read slide consequence]. See how that worked out! What happened when they talked about a solution and decided to share? Were they able to have a conversation and play together? That's a great way to be a social hero! They used a good strategy! [For Wesley: This shows a great problem-solving strategy, and they had a reciprocal conversation!]"

Consequence of Choice C (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 23)

"If they throw the toy down... [Read slide consequence]. Does throwing the toy down make anyone happy or solve the problem? How do they feel now? Was a coping strategy used here?"

Scenario 5: The Exclusion Game (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 25)

"You're doing wonderfully, heroes! Here's our final scenario:

A group of kids is playing tag on the playground. Chloe walks up and asks, "Can I play?" One of the kids says, "No, we have enough players!"

Time for our problem radar! What's the main problem Chloe is facing here?

Wait for student responses. Guide towards: Chloe wants to play but is being excluded.

"Now, for our empathy hats. How do you think Chloe is feeling when she's told she can't play? And how do you think the kids who said 'no' might be feeling?"

Wait for student responses. Guide towards: Chloe feels sad, left out, disappointed. The other kids might feel a little awkward, or just focused on their game.

What Should Chloe Do? (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 26)

"Chloe has a choice. She can:

A. Start crying: And run away.
B. Ask politely if she can join later: "Okay, can I join the next round when someone gets out?"
C. Tell the teacher: That the kids are being mean.

"Heroes, discuss with your partner: Which choice do you think is the best for Chloe to make? Why? What strategy is she using to deal with the situation or her feelings? [For Wesley: What strategy could Chloe use here? What coping strategy could help her if she feels sad or left out?]"

Listen to student discussions.

Consequence of Choice A (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 27)

"If Chloe starts crying... [Read slide consequence]. Does crying help Chloe get to play? How might this make her feel in the long run? Is this a helpful way to cope?"

Consequence of Choice B (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 28)

"Now, if Chloe asks politely to join later... [Read slide consequence]. See how that turned out! What happened when Chloe used her words calmly and suggested a solution? Was she able to have a conversation and find a way to play? This shows a great way to handle feeling left out! Chloe used a good strategy! [For Wesley: This is a great problem-solving strategy, and she had a good conversation with her peers!]"

Consequence of Choice C (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 29)

"If Chloe tells the teacher... [Read slide consequence]. Sometimes it's important to tell an adult, but what might happen if the teacher steps in? How might the other kids feel, and how might that affect Chloe playing with them later? Does this help Chloe learn to solve problems on her own?"

Conclusion (with Hero's Choice! Slide Deck - Slide 31)

"Wow, heroes, you did an amazing job today making wise choices! We learned so much:

• How to spot problems in tricky situations.
• How to think about feelings – our own and others
• How to find smart ways to solve problems or cope with big feelings.
• And how important it is to talk to each other in kind and clear ways.

Remember, you are all social heroes, and you have the power to make good choices every day! Keep practicing these skills, and you'll keep making the world a better place. Great work, everyone!"

Hero's Choice! Social Scenarios

Introduction

Welcome, young heroes! In this activity, you will help characters navigate tricky social situations. For each scenario, we will:

1. Identify the Problem: What's going wrong?
2. Understand Feelings: How do the people involved feel?
3. Make a Choice: What's the best thing to do?
4. See the Outcome: What happens next?

Your choices will help our heroes learn and grow!

Scenario 1: The Building Block Blocker

Leo is building an amazing castle with blocks. He's almost done when Maya walks by and accidentally knocks down a big part of it! Leo's face turns red, and he clenches his fists.

What is the problem?

How do you think Leo is feeling? How do you think Maya is feeling?

What Should Leo Do?

Choose one of the following actions for Leo:

A. Yell at Maya: "You ruined it!"
B. Take a deep breath and say: "Maya, I'm upset because my castle fell down. Can you help me rebuild it?"
C. Cry quietly: And walk away.

Discuss your choice:

Scenario 2: The Art Project Predicament

Sarah is working hard on her art project, carefully painting a rainbow. Ben rushes past her table to get a crayon and bumps her arm, causing her to accidentally spill blue paint all over her beautiful rainbow!

What is the problem?

How do you think Sarah is feeling? How do you think Ben is feeling?

What Should Sarah Do?

Choose one of the following actions for Sarah:

A. Scream loudly: "You ruined my art!"
B. Take a moment, then tell Ben: "I'm frustrated because my rainbow got paint on it when you bumped me. Please be more careful."
C. Hide her project: And not finish it.

Discuss your choice:

Scenario 3: The Playground Problem

During recess, Sam overhears a group of older kids using a swear word that makes him feel uncomfortable and a little scared. He knows he shouldn't repeat it, but he's not sure what to do.

What is the problem?

How do you think Sam is feeling? How do you think the older kids are feeling?

What Should Sam Do?

Choose one of the following actions for Sam:

A. Ignore it: And pretend he didn't hear anything.
B. Tell a trusted adult: Like his teacher or a playground monitor.
C. Tell the older kids: "Stop swearing!"

Discuss your choice:

Scenario 4: The Shared Toy Trouble

Liam and Chloe both want to play with the new robot toy at the same time. Liam grabbed it first, but Chloe really wants a turn now and tries to pull it away from him.

What is the problem?

How do you think Liam is feeling? How do you think Chloe is feeling?

What Should Liam and Chloe Do?

Choose one of the following actions:

A. Pull harder: Both try to get the toy, leading to a tug-of-war.
B. Suggest taking turns: One says, "Let's take turns! I'll play for 5 minutes, then you can."
C. Throw the toy down: And both walk away upset.

Discuss your choice:

Scenario 5: The Exclusion Game

A group of kids is playing tag on the playground. Chloe walks up and asks, "Can I play?" One of the kids says, "No, we have enough players!"

What is the problem?

How do you think Chloe is feeling? How do you think the other kids are feeling?

What Should Chloe Do?

Choose one of the following actions:

A. Start crying: And run away.
B. Ask politely if she can join later: "Okay, can I join the next round when someone gets out?"
C. Tell the teacher: That the kids are being mean.

Discuss your choice:

Your Heroic Reflection

1. What was one new strategy you learned today for solving problems or coping with big feelings?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Why is it important to think about how others are feeling when you make a choice?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. How can having a good conversation help solve problems with friends?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Hero's Choice! Warm-Up: How Are You Feeling Today?

Welcome, heroes! Before we start our adventure, let's do a quick 'feeling check-in.'

Take a moment to think about how you are feeling right now. Use one of the words below, or choose your own!

• Happy
• Calm
• Excited
• Curious
• Tired
• A little worried
  
  
  ### How are you feeling right now, and what made you feel that way?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Why is it important to know how we are feeling?

(Teacher Note: Encourage a few students to share their feelings and explain why. Remind them that all feelings are okay, and it's important to recognize them.)

Hero's Choice! Cool-Down: My Social Superpower

Great job today, social heroes! Let's take a moment to reflect on our adventure.

1. What was one important thing you learned today about solving problems or understanding feelings?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. If you were in a tricky situation like Leo or Sarah, what is one