Teacher Script: Your Boundary, Your Power

Warm-Up: Boundary Brainstorm (3 minutes)

"Good morning, everyone! Let's start with a quick thought exercise. On the Warm Up: Boundary Brainstorm in front of you, I want you to silently write down what comes to mind when you hear the word 'boundary.' It could be any kind of boundary – physical, something in a game, anything at all. Just take a minute to jot down your ideas."

(Pause for 1 minute while students write.)

"Alright, who would like to share one thought they had about what a boundary is? Don't worry about being perfect, just what came to mind."

(Call on 2-3 students. Affirm their responses, e.g., "That's a great example!" or "Yes, a limit.")

"Excellent ideas! Today, we're going to talk about a very specific and important type of boundary: emotional boundaries. These are super important for all of us, especially as you navigate friendships, family, and school life."

What Are Emotional Boundaries? (5 minutes)

(Display Your Boundary, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 1 and then Slide 2.)

"So, what are emotional boundaries? Think of them as invisible lines you draw to protect your feelings, your energy, and your personal space. They are the limits and rules you set for yourself in relationships to make sure you're feeling respected and comfortable. It's about taking care of your emotional well-being.

For example, maybe you have a friend who always wants to talk about their problems, and sometimes it leaves you feeling drained and sad. An emotional boundary there might be, 'I care about you, but I need some space to myself after school before we talk about heavy stuff.' Or, maybe you don't like it when someone makes fun of your interests. A boundary could be, 'I don't like it when you joke about my hobbies. Please stop.'

(Display Your Boundary, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 3.)

"Now, just as important is understanding what emotional boundaries are not. They are not mean walls to keep everyone out completely. They aren't about trying to control what other people do, but rather about controlling how you react and what you will accept. They're also not selfish; in fact, setting healthy boundaries is a sign of self-respect. It's not something only adults do, it's something everyone benefits from!"

Quiz: Boundary Boundary Battle (5 minutes)

(Display Your Boundary, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 4 as you transition.)

"Alright, now that we've talked about what emotional boundaries are and are not, let's test your understanding with a quick quiz. I'm handing out the Boundary Boundary Battle Quiz. Please work through these 10 multiple-choice questions independently. This is a chance for you to see how well you've grasped the concepts of setting boundaries effectively and respectfully."

(Distribute quiz and allow 3-4 minutes for students to complete it.)

"Let's quickly go over the answers together using the Boundary Boundary Battle Answer Key. This is a great opportunity to clarify anything that might still be a little fuzzy and reinforce what we've learned."

(Go over the quiz answers, facilitating brief discussion on any challenging questions. Display Your Boundary, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 5 during this discussion to reinforce the 'Moving Forward' concepts as you discuss the answers.)

"Remember, your boundaries deserve to be respected. And just as importantly, you need to respect the boundaries others set with you. It's a two-way street. What if someone ignores your boundary? You might need to gently reiterate it. If it keeps happening, the 'consequences' aren't about punishing the other person, but about protecting yourself and your well-being. This could mean taking a break from the conversation, limiting how much time you spend with that person, or even seeking advice from a trusted adult like a teacher or parent if you're unsure how to handle it. Remember, setting boundaries is a process; it takes practice for everyone involved."

Cool-Down & Handout: My Personal Boundary (2 minutes)

(Display Your Boundary, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 6.)

"To wrap up today, I'd like you to think about one emotional boundary you could set for yourself, or in one of your relationships, that would help you feel more comfortable or respected. On your Cool Down: My Personal Boundary, please write down that boundary. This is your exit ticket for today. Also, I'm giving you a My Boundary Blueprint Handout that summarizes what we discussed today, so you can take it with you as a reminder. Thank you, everyone!"

*(Collect cool-downs as students leave.)"

Warm Up: Boundary Brainstorm

Instructions: What does the word "boundary" mean to you? Write down any thoughts, definitions, or examples that come to mind. It can be any type of boundary!

Boundary Boundary Battle Answer Key

Here are the answers to the quiz, along with a brief explanation for each.

1. What is the primary purpose of setting emotional boundaries?

• Correct Answer: To protect your feelings and energy.
  • Explanation: Emotional boundaries are fundamentally about self-care and preserving your emotional well-being, not about controlling others or avoiding people entirely.

2. Which of the following is an example of a healthy emotional boundary?

• Correct Answer: Saying, "I need some quiet time after school before we hang out."
  • Explanation: This statement clearly communicates a personal need without blaming or demanding, which is a hallmark of a healthy boundary. The other options are either unhealthy or avoidant.

3. What is not true about emotional boundaries?

• Correct Answer: They mean you are selfish.
  • Explanation: Setting boundaries is a sign of self-respect and self-care, which are essential for healthy relationships. It is not selfish.

4. When setting a boundary, what type of statement is most effective?

• Correct Answer: "I feel [emotion] when [action], so I need [boundary]."
  • Explanation: "I" statements focus on your feelings and needs, making the communication less confrontational and more effective. It expresses your experience rather than accusing the other person.

5. A friend constantly interrupts you. What is a good way to set a boundary?

• Correct Answer: Say, "I feel unheard when I'm interrupted. I need you to let me finish talking."
  • Explanation: This uses an effective "I" statement to clearly communicate the impact of their action and what you need from them. It's direct, polite, and firm.

6. What should you do if someone repeatedly ignores a boundary you've set?

• Correct Answer: Reiterate your boundary and consider limiting interactions or seeking adult advice.
  • Explanation: Persistence is key, but also understanding when to adjust your response to protect yourself, which might involve creating distance or getting support from a trusted adult.

7. Emotional boundaries are about controlling:

• Correct Answer: Your own reactions and what you will accept.
  • Explanation: Boundaries are about your personal agency and what you allow into your emotional space, not about dictating others' behavior.

8. Why is it important to respect other people's emotional boundaries?

• Correct Answer: Because it's a two-way street for healthy relationships.
  • Explanation: Mutual respect for boundaries fosters trust and ensures both parties feel safe and valued in a relationship.

9. Which emotion might indicate you need to set a boundary?

• Correct Answer: Feeling consistently drained, disrespected, or overwhelmed.
  • Explanation: These emotions are often signals that your emotional space is being compromised and a boundary is needed to protect your well-being.

10. Setting boundaries is a sign of:

• Correct Answer: Self-respect and self-care.
  • Explanation: It demonstrates that you value your own needs and emotional health, which are fundamental to personal strength and healthy interactions.

Cool Down: My Personal Boundary

Instructions: Reflect on what we discussed about emotional boundaries. Write down one emotional boundary you could set for yourself or in a relationship to feel more comfortable or respected.

My Personal Emotional Boundary:

Why is this boundary important to me?

My Boundary Blueprint: Setting Healthy Emotional Boundaries

Emotional boundaries are super important for taking care of yourself and having healthy relationships. Think of this handout as your personal blueprint for setting them!

What ARE Emotional Boundaries?

• Invisible lines you draw to protect your feelings and energy.
• Rules for how others can treat you emotionally.
• About YOUR needs, not about controlling other people.

Examples:

• *"I need some alone time after school to recharge before hanging out."
• *"I don't like it when you joke about my interests. Please stop."
• *"I can listen to your problems for a bit, but I need to switch topics after 10 minutes."

What Emotional Boundaries ARE NOT:

• NOT walls to keep everyone out forever.
• NOT being mean or selfish (it's actually self-respect!)
• NOT trying to control other people's actions.

How to Set Them Effectively:

1. Be Clear & Direct: Don't hint. State your boundary simply and directly.

2. Use "I" Statements: Focus on your feelings and needs. This helps others understand your perspective without feeling blamed.

   • Formula: "I feel [emotion] when [action], so I need [boundary]."
   • Example: "I feel overwhelmed when we only talk about your problems. I need our conversations to be more balanced."

3. Be Polite but Firm: You have the right to your boundaries. Say it calmly and confidently.

What if Your Boundary is Ignored?

• Reiterate: Gently remind the person of your boundary.
• Adjust Interactions: If it keeps happening, you might need to:
  • Take a break from the conversation.
  • Limit how much time you spend with that person.
  • Seek advice from a trusted adult (teacher, parent, counselor).

Remember: Setting boundaries is a skill that gets better with practice. It's a superpower for your well-being and relationships!

My Notes on Setting Boundaries:

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