Students will define respect, identify its key components, and practice ways to show respect towards others in various situations.
Understanding and practicing respect is fundamental for building positive relationships, fostering a safe and inclusive environment, and navigating social interactions effectively. This lesson helps students develop essential social-emotional skills.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, examples, and a reflective cool-down activity.
Display Slide 2 and ask students: "When you hear the word 'respect,' what comes to mind?" * Facilitate a brief whole-class brainstorm. Write down keywords on the board. * Transition by stating: "Today, we're going to dive deeper into what respect truly means and why it's so important in our daily lives."
Step 2
Defining Respect: Beyond the Golden Rule
10 minutes
Display Slide 3 and guide students through the definition of respect. * Discuss the four key components: valuing others, active listening, empathy, and boundaries. * Use examples to illustrate each component. For instance, for active listening: "How does it feel when someone truly listens to you compared to when they're looking at their phone?" * Display Slide 4 and introduce the idea that respect is a two-way street.
Step 3
Practical Application: Showing Respect
10 minutes
Display Slide 5. Present various scenarios from the Respect Discussion Prompts (e.g., in the classroom, online, at home). * Divide students into small groups (2-3 students) or facilitate a whole-class discussion. * Ask groups to discuss: "How can you show respect in this situation? What might happen if you don't?" * Bring the class back together to share key takeaways from their discussions.
Step 4
Cool Down: Respect Exit Ticket
5 minutes
Distribute the Respect Exit Ticket. * Display Slide 6. Instruct students to complete the exit ticket individually. * Collect the exit tickets as students leave or as a closing activity. Review responses to gauge understanding and identify areas for future discussion.
Slide Deck
Respect: Give It, Get It
What does 'respect' mean to you?
Welcome students and introduce the topic. This is a chance to activate prior knowledge and get students thinking about what respect means to them. Encourage all ideas, there are no wrong answers here.
Defining Respect
Respect is...
Valuing others: Recognizing the worth of every person, even if you disagree.
Active listening: Truly hearing what someone is saying without interrupting or judging.
Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of another.
Boundaries: Respecting personal space, property, and choices.
Transition from the brainstorm. Explain that respect is more than just 'being nice.' Emphasize the four key components, using simple, relatable language and examples. Ask students to think about how these components show up in their lives.
A Two-Way Street
If you give respect, you're more likely to get it back.
How does it feel when someone shows you respect? How about when they don't?
Reinforce that respect isn't just given, it's often earned and always a two-way street. If you want respect, you usually have to show it first. Discuss what it feels like when respect is present or absent.
Showing Respect in Action
How can you show respect in different situations?
Let's discuss some real-life scenarios.
Introduce the idea of applying respect in different contexts. Explain that students will work in small groups or as a class to discuss scenarios. Emphasize thinking about how to show respect and the consequences of not doing so.
Key Takeaways
Respect is a choice we make every day.
It builds stronger relationships and a better community.
Wrap up the activity. Reiterate the importance of respect and prepare students for the cool-down exit ticket. Encourage them to summarize their own key takeaways from the discussion.
Reflect and Respond
Complete your 'Respect Exit Ticket' before you leave.
What is one new thing you learned about respect today?
How will you show respect to someone this week?
Explain the purpose of the exit ticket – to reflect on what they learned. Collect these to assess student understanding.
Discussion
Respect Discussion Prompts
Discuss the following scenarios with your group or as a class. Think about how you can show respect in each situation and what the impact of showing or not showing respect might be.
Scenario 1: In the Classroom
During a group project, one of your teammates constantly interrupts others and dismisses their ideas without listening. How can you show respect to your teammates and to the person who is interrupting?
Scenario 2: Online Interactions
You see a classmate post something online that makes fun of another student. What is a respectful way to respond, or not respond, to this?
Scenario 3: Different Opinions
Your friend expresses a strong opinion about a topic that you completely disagree with. How can you show respect for your friend and their opinion, even if you don't share it?
Scenario 4: Shared Spaces
In the school cafeteria, a group of students leaves their mess on the table for someone else to clean up. How does this show (or not show) respect for others and the shared space?
Scenario 5: Personal Boundaries
A classmate keeps borrowing your supplies (pens, paper, etc.) without asking, even after you've politely asked them to stop. How can you respectfully set and reinforce your boundaries?
Cool Down
Respect Exit Ticket
Name:
Date:
What is one new thing you learned about respect today or something that surprised you?
Think about one person you will interact with this week (a family member, a friend, a teacher, or even yourself!). What is one specific way you will try to show them respect?
Why do you think it is important for a community (like our classroom or school) to have respect among its members?
