With Love and Guidance

Monday, November 11, 2013

What is a sincere apology?

We have all been there. Someone hurts our feelings and simply says, "Sorry" however, you can tell they don't mean it. Maybe you were the ones who said, "sorry" and didn't mean it. Students have been practicing their problem solving skills using Keslo's Choices. One of Kelso's Choices is to apologize. When I asked the students if anyone had ever apologized to them but they could tell that the other person didn't mean it, hands flew up! Below are a few ways students knew that the other person didn't mean it:

He said it in a rude tone.
She rolled her eyes
My mom made her
He wouldn't look me in the eye
She sounded annoyed
She said sorry and did it again
He shouted it at me

Together we read the book, Sorry! by Trudy Ludwig. This was a great book suggested by a fellow counselor in AISD (Thank you Ms. Kolander). This story is about a boy named Jack who becomes friends with another boy named Charlie who believes that an insincere apology can right all of his wrongs. However, after the boys ruin a classmate's science fair project, Charlie learns that "I'm Sorry" doesn't always "cut it". The science teacher teaches the boys that a sincere apology includes actions as well as words.

During counselor lessons, students practiced the proper way to say an apology so our friends, peers, teachers, parents, and sibilings, know we mean it. Using various scenarios that have happened in class, students used the following apology format:

I'm sorry I ___________________. I feel _______________. I will __________________.

*Lesson from That's My Story Too! Lessons and Activities for 52 Counselor Recommended Children's Books and Spectacular Guidance Lessons for Kids