Skill: Disagreeing with Others | Learning Goal: Understanding Others
Grades: 6-8 | Activity Type: Lesson | Purpose: 🟢 Core Instruction
Be Good People Curriculum © St. Croix River Education District
Is There a Wrong Way to Disagree With Someone?
Today, we'll talk about how to approach situations where we don't see eye-to-eye with someone, including recognizing when we should keep a disagreement to ourselves.
How would you expand on or fill in the gaps on the advice he’s offering?
WHY KNOWING HOW TO HANDLE DISAGREEMENTS MATTERS: |
✅ People will be more likely to want to spend time around you if you don't constantly disagree over small issues and insist that others agree with you. ✅ Others may be more able to understand your position and resolve the disagreement without hurting anyone's feelings. ✅ When you show respect to the person you're disagreeing with, they will be more willing to listen to you. ✅ Others will see you as someone who is reasonable, mature, and thoughtful. |
Evelyn posts a picture of a group hangout without checking with everyone first. Maya says she’s uncomfortable because it's not a good photos of her. Evelyn thinks it’s no big deal, but Maya feels hurt and ignored.
How should Evelyn handle this situation? What’s important to consider?
What wisdom would you share with a younger person about how to handle it when they don’t agree with someone?
Picture this!
What about this sounds right? 👍
What details might be missing? 🤔
ROADMAP
TIP #1: |
Pick your battles. You really don’t have to bring it up every single time you disagree with someone. It helps to have some mental rules to follow. For example, if you’re in a bad mood, that might be a clue that bringing up a disagreement with someone at the moment isn’t the best idea. You might have a hard time keeping your cool. |
“In my family, we’re…‘outspoken.’ My grandma always tells you what she thinks. It can be annoying, and I don’t wanna be like that, but it’s hard to turn it off.”
Do you relate to what she’s saying or not?
How would you reply?
👍 👎
What’s your take?
TIP #2: |
There’s a difference between disagreeing with someone and arguing with someone. Every disagreement doesn’t have to turn into a conflict. If you’re disagreeing with a friend, family member, or romantic partner and it feels like you’re competing to see who’s right rather than trying to come to a solution, it’s good to step back and rethink it. |
On a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you agree? Why?
At a sleepover, Zoey suggests watching a sci-fi movie, but Isaiah argues for a comedy. Zoey feels strongly that it’s her turn to pick since she didn’t choose last time, but Isaiah insists he never likes her choices.
Skip to end
Play it out: How would the tips and suggestions that we’ve discussed look in this situation?
Words of wisdom: What advice would help someone handle this situation well?
Heads up: What pitfalls should someone try to avoid in a situation like this? How?
Lessons learned: I’ve been through a similar situation and here’s what I learned from it…
Choose one ⬇
Nora wants to invite their whole friend group to her birthday party, but DeShawn insists one person shouldn’t be included because they’ve been rude lately. Nora feels bad leaving someone out, while DeShawn says it’s only fair.
Skip to end
Play it out: How would the tips and suggestions that we’ve discussed look in this situation?
Words of wisdom: What advice would help someone handle this situation well?
Heads up: What pitfalls should someone try to avoid in a situation like this? How?
Lessons learned: I’ve been through a similar situation and here’s what I learned from it…
Choose one ⬇
Luis’s parents decided on a new bedtime of 9:30 PM after noticing his grades slipping. Luis feels he needs more time to study and finish homework and wants to explain this to his parents without seeming disrespectful.
Skip to end
Play it out: How would the tips and suggestions that we’ve discussed look in this situation?
Words of wisdom: What advice would help someone handle this situation well?
Heads up: What pitfalls should someone try to avoid in a situation like this? How?
Lessons learned: I’ve been through a similar situation and here’s what I learned from it…
Choose one ⬇
During a class project, Jamal and Ellie argue about who gets to sit next to the computer. Jamal says he needs to type since it’s his strength, but Ellie feels she should take a turn since Jamal typed last time.
Skip to end
Play it out: How would the tips and suggestions that we’ve discussed look in this situation?
Words of wisdom: What advice would help someone handle this situation well?
Heads up: What pitfalls should someone try to avoid in a situation like this? How?
Lessons learned: I’ve been through a similar situation and here’s what I learned from it…
Choose one ⬇
Nice work! To recap, we learned more about: