delimiter
Note: This study guide is still in DRAFT/TEST form. We are still hard at work improving, expanding, formatting and distilling these materials. Daily updates, edits and changes will occur. Feedback, comments and questions can be sent to education@roseneath.ca. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Curriculum Connections for this Activity (Click Here)
Objectives
To take on the perspectives of Holly and Fin and identify their emotions
To build interpersonal skills and learn to be kind, respectful, and accepting of others, and to express this through writing
To reflect on how what we say, and how we say it, can affect others
To explore the differences between communicating through technology, text-based communication, and speech
Minds On
Discuss Holly and Fin’s relationship. Ask:
How does Holly feel about Fin’s transition? How do you know?
What does Holly say to Fin? How does that make Fin feel?
Why does Holly want Fin to use the name Fiona at school?
If you were Fin, what would you want Holly to have said to you?
Activity
Duplicate the worksheet (attached). The worksheet has a drawing of a cell phone with a message where students can fill in the blank space. It says: “Hi Fin, it’s me, Holly. I hope you are having a good first day at school. I just wanted to say…”
Suggest to your students that they are going to rewrite the play so that Holly helps Fin feel supported. To do this, they are going to pretend to be Holly and write a supportive text message to Fin. They can choose to write an apology to Fin, or a positive note or compliment, or explain how they are feeling, etc. When they are writing, they should think about how they want Fin to feel when Fin reads their message - they should want Fin to feel good about it.
Exchange worksheets with a friend. As Fin, what is your reaction to receiving the text message from Holly that your partner wrote?
Come back as a large group. Ask for several pairs to volunteer to read one or both of their “texts” aloud and share some of the things that they talked about.
Consolidation
Whole class discussion:
What message were you trying to get across in your text message? How did you do that (what kinds of words did you use, did you use any emojis, etc)?
How was your message received by your friend?
How is texting different from talking face-to-face? Can things get misinterpreted? What can you do to help the other person understand your tone/emotion/how you are feeling?
What are some things that Holly said to Fin in the play? What do you think Holly was feeling, why? How did she make Fin feel?
Would you think of Holly differently if she actually sent your text message? How would the play be different?
Who can we talk to if we are unsure how to be supportive to a friend or sibling?