Tools for Teaching Boy’s Town Skills Journal Ideas

Following Instructions Look at the person. Say “Okay.” Do what you’ve been asked right away. Check back. Write in your journal about a time when you followed instructions even though it was difficult.

Accepting Criticism or a Consequence Look at the person. Say “Okay.” Stay calm. Write about a time when you did not accept criticism from someone. How did it make the other person feel? What might you do differently the next time someone gives you criticism?

Accepting “No” for an Answer Look at the person. Say “Okay.” Stay calm. If you disagree, ask later. Write about a time when you accepted “No” for an answer calmly and write about the result of using the correct behavior.

Greeting Others Look at the person. Use a pleasant voice. Say “Hi” or “Hello.” Write about a time when someone greeted you in a kind way, the circumstances, and how it made you feel.

Getting the Teacher’s Attention Look at the teacher. Raise your hand and stay calm. Wait until the teacher says your name. Ask your question. Write about a time when someone kept calling out for the teacher while the teacher was working with you. How did you feel? Did it bother you that the student kept interrupting the teacher?

Disagreeing Appropriately Look at the person. Use a pleasant voice. Tell why you feel differently. Give a reason. Listen to the other person. Write about a time when you disagreed with someone and it made you or the other person mad.

Making an Apology Look at the person. Use a serious, sincere voice. Say “I’m sorry for…” or “I want to apologize for…” Explain how you plan to do better. Say “Thanks for listening.” Write about a time when you had to make an apology to someone. What did you say? How did it turn out? Why?

Accepting Compliments Look at the person. Use a pleasant voice. Say “Thank you.” Write about a time when you gave a compliment and the person did not accept the compliment. How did you feel?

Having a Conversation Look at the person. Use a pleasant voice. Listen to what the other person says. When there is a break in the conversation, ask a question or share your thoughts. Write about a time when you didn’t allow someone to finish what he or she was saying and it hurt that person’s feelings.

Asking for Help Look at the person. Ask the person if he or she has time to help you. Clearly explain the kind of help that you need. Thank the person for helping. Determine a time in the story of Pinocchio when Pinocchio might have asked for help, but he didn’t. Write a different ending to the story to show what would have happened if he had asked for help.

Asking Permission Look at the person. Use a calm and pleasant voice. Say “May I …? Accept the answer calmly. Write about a time when you did not ask permission to do something and how it got you in trouble. Was it “worth it”? How would you handle the situation differently next time?

Staying on Task Look at your task or assignment. Think about the steps needed to complete the task. Focus all of your attention on the task. Stop working only when instructed. Ignore distractions and interruptions. Write about a time when you should have stayed on task and didn’t. What should you do differently next time you are in a similar situation?

Sharing with Others Let the other person use the item first. Ask if you can use it later. When you get to use it, offer it back to the other person after you have used it. Write about a time you did not share something with someone. How do you think the other person felt? Why?

Working with Others Identify the task to be completed. Assign tasks to each person. Discuss ideas in a calm, quiet voice and let everyone share his or her ideas. Work on tasks until completed. Write about a time that you were working in a group and you finished your assigned task, but your partner didn’t complete his or hers. How did you feel? Why?

Listening to Others Look at the person who is talking and remain quiet. Wait until the person is through talking before you speak. Show that you heard the person by nodding your head or saying “Okay.” Write about a time when you didn’t listen to something you were told and what happened because you didn’t listen? Why is it important to listen?

Using an Appropriate Voice Tone Listen to the level of the voices around you. Change your voice to match. Watch and listen for visual and verbal cues and adjust your voice as needed. Write about a time when you “read the cues” of a situation and used an appropriate voice tone. Include how you felt and how other people in the situation responded.