Skill: Accepting Feedback | Learning Goal: Goals & Feedback

Grades: 4-5 | Activity Type: Lesson | Purpose: 🟢 Core Instruction

Be Good People Curriculum © St. Croix River Education District

How Do I Handle Criticism?

Today, we'll talk about how to handle it when we’re given feedback. This could be somebody praising us or it could be somebody giving us criticism and telling us something we could do better.

“There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”

What do you notice or wonder about this quote? What does it make you think of?

Aristotle

Ancient Greek philosopher

Pretend you need to teach someone else how to accept feedback.

What would you tell them to do or not to do?

1. If the person is telling you about something you did well, say "Thank you."
2. If the person is telling you about something you could do better, say "Okay."
3. Ask questions if you need to. Don't argue with the person.
4. Make changes if you need to.

Step 1: If the person is telling you about something you did well, say "Thank you."

This is the polite and kind thing to do.

Step 2: If the person is telling you about something you could do better, say "Okay."

This tells the person that you listened to them.

It is the polite thing to do.

Step 3: Ask questions if you need to. Don't argue with the person.

You might need to know more about what the person is suggesting that you do or telling you to do.

Ask questions using a kind voice and kind words.

Step 4: Make changes if you need to.

If the feedback is an instruction from a parent or teacher, you need to make changes.

Sometimes it's up to you. For example, another student might tell you to use a different color on a coloring sheet. You don't have to do what they're suggesting.

• If the person is telling you about something you did well, say "Thank you."
• If the person is telling you about something you could do better, say "Okay."
• Ask questions if you need to. Don't argue with the person.
• Make changes if you need to.

During peer editing, Diana reads Ahmad's paragraph and tells him some sentences are too long and hard to follow.

Skip to end

• If the person is telling you about something you did well, say "Thank you."
• If the person is telling you about something you could do better, say "Okay."
• Ask questions if you need to. Don't argue with the person.
• Make changes if you need to.

Jamal's mom looks at his bedroom cleaning job. She points to some areas under the desk and behind the door that he missed while vacuuming.

Skip to end

• If the person is telling you about something you did well, say "Thank you."
• If the person is telling you about something you could do better, say "Okay."
• Ask questions if you need to. Don't argue with the person.
• Make changes if you need to.

After the math test, Mr. Chen calls DeShawn to his desk. He explains that DeShawn's work shows good thinking but he needs to write out his steps more clearly.

Skip to end

• If the person is telling you about something you did well, say "Thank you."
• If the person is telling you about something you could do better, say "Okay."
• Ask questions if you need to. Don't argue with the person.
• Make changes if you need to.

Aisha reads her story to the class. After she finishes, Ms. Thompson mentions that adding more details about how the characters feel would make the story even better.

Skip to end

• If the person is telling you about something you did well, say "Thank you."
• If the person is telling you about something you could do better, say "Okay."
• Ask questions if you need to. Don't argue with the person.
• Make changes if you need to.

During basketball practice, Coach Williams tells Marcus his passing needs work. She shows him how his throws are going too low and suggests ways to improve his technique.

Skip to end