Respect in Conversations

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand the impact of language and behaviour in online group chats.
2. Recognise the harm caused by racial slurs and inappropriate jokes ("roasting").
3. Learn strategies to promote respect and kindness in online and offline interactions.

Curriculum Links

This lesson aligns with the PSHE Association's Programme of Study for Key Stage 2, focusing on the following areas:

• Core Theme 1: Health and Wellbeing – How to manage their relationships and interactions with others in a positive way.
• Core Theme 2: Relationships – Understanding what constitutes respectful relationships, including online interactions.
• Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural Development (SMSC) – Encouraging responsibility, empathy, and respect for diversity.

---

Lesson Structure

Starter (5 Minutes) – Setting the Scene

1. Welcome and Warm-Up: Begin by asking the class:
   • "Who here uses group chats on their phone or tablet?" (Pause for a show of hands.)
   • "What kind of things do you chat about?" Allow for brief student responses to gauge their familiarity with group chats.
2. Quick Scenario:
   Put this example on the board:
   • You’re in a group chat, and someone sends a mean joke about another person in the group.
     • Ask: What could you do?
       Spend one minute discussing their ideas without judgment to establish an open atmosphere.

---

Main Activity (15 Minutes) – The Impact of Words

Interactive ‘Emoji Reaction Board’

1. Slide 1: Emoji Responses
   Introduce a slide projecting different emojis (happy, sad, angry, confused, and nervous).

   • Explain that these emojis represent how someone might feel when they see a certain type of comment in a group chat.

2. Role-Play Situations:
   Read these scenarios aloud one by one (be neutral and serious in tone):

   • "You’re added to a new group chat, and people are talking about last night's football match. Someone says, 'Your team played like rubbish – typical of players like you.'”
   • “In a group chat, someone comments, 'Your name’s weird. Where are you even from?’”
   • “While joking around, someone types, 'Haha, go back to where you came from!'”
   • "One person sends this message: 'Let’s send horrible memes about [a specific person in the group] for fun.'”

   After each scenario, invite a few students to raise their hands and share which emoji they think best represents how they would feel if they were the recipient of this comment. Discuss why words can have emotional and mental consequences.

Mini-Brainstorm (on the board):

Write: "How can our words hurt others?"
Ask students to list ways group chat behaviour could affect someone’s feelings, friendships, or self-esteem. Examples might include:

• Feeling excluded.
• Believing mean comments are true.
• Being afraid to join conversations.

---

Practical Group Activity (10 Minutes) – Fixing the Problem

The Respect Charm Bracelet (Paper Activity)

1. Hand out slips of coloured paper cut into small strips (approx. 2-3 per student).
2. Invite each table of 4-5 students to write or draw:
   • One way to handle mean jokes in a group chat.
   • One way to respond to racial slurs or inappropriate comments online.
   • One way to encourage kindness in group chats.
3. Students should write clearly enough that their answers can later be shared.
4. Once every student has contributed, link the paper strips into a chain (with glue or tape) to create a "Respect Bracelet."

Share as a Class:

• Each table presents their Respect Chain to the front of the class or explains one or two key strategies they discussed.

---

Reflection and Debrief (10 Minutes) – Wrapping it Up

Slide 2: "Words Last Forever"

• Show a slide with the quote: “Online comments last forever, even after you delete them. What kind of messages do you want to leave behind?”

1. Ask:
   • What does this message mean to you?
   • Why is it important to think before you type?

Pause and Reflect

• Encourage a discussion:
  • “In your own words, what does being respectful in group chats and conversations mean?”
  • “Are there times when it’s okay to challenge disrespectful behaviour? How can we do this calmly?”

Kindness Takeaway

• Ask students to turn to the person sitting next to them and pay them a kind compliment to practise spreading positivity.

---

Assessment Opportunities

• Observe participation in discussions (during the emoji activity and Respect Chain task).
• Take note of the strategies shared by tables for encouraging respect and challenging inappropriate comments.
• Informal questioning to assess understanding during reflection.

---

Resources Needed

• A computer and projector for slides.
• Coloured paper strips, glue, or tape for the "Respect Bracelet."

---

Teacher’s Notes

• Sensitivity Alert: Be mindful of students' backgrounds, particularly regarding examples related to racial slurs. Adapt the language or examples if necessary for the specific class demographic.
• Positive Reinforcement: Encourage respectful contributions by praising thoughtful answers and creative strategies during the group activity.