Objectives
Students will:
- Understand why showing appreciation is socially attractive.
- Identify different ways of showing appreciation to others.
- Identify personal benefits of showing appreciation.
- Identify different ways of showing appreciation to someone you are attracted to.
- Model successfully showing appreciation.
- Develop strategies for being more successful in showing appreciation to others.
Step 1: Lesson Introduction
Last time, we found out why being well-groomed helps make you socially attractive. We learned that if you are poorly groomed, you won't be socially attractive There are other ways to be socially unattractive. One of these ways is by not showing appreciation.
- Ask students to discuss ways in which others have shown how much they value and appreciate their relationship. How did that make them feel? Did it make the other person attractive to them?
- Ask students to discuss instances in which another person failed to show appreciation. How did that make them feel? Did it make the other person attractive to them?
- Tell students that in today's video, we're going to see why showing appreciation is so important with everyone whose relationship we value.
▶️ Show the video.
⏸️ Stop the video when the "Pause for Discussion" title appears on the screen.
Step 2: Guided Discussion
How was Helen PeopleSmart?
She threw a surprise party for Leah. She invited Leah's friends, decorated the apartment, and gave Leah a big gift. She told Leah the party is to show their appreciation for all the great things Leah has done for them. Everyone's attention is completely on Leah. They're all here to celebrate her life and how much she means to them!
- Smiling and laughing
- Direct eye contact
- Body facing Leah
- Arm around Leah's shoulder
- Affectionate, appreciative facial expression
- Warm tone of voice
- Singing "Happy Birthday"
What happened because Helen was PeopleSmart?
Leah is overwhelmed and moved to tears of joy. Being at the center of everyone's love and appreciation has put her on an incredible high. She wants to thank all of them and give them a big hug. Their show of appreciation made this the best birthday of her life.
What can we learn from this?
- As the psychologist, William James said, "The deepest principle of human nature is the craving to be appreciated." We live in a world of people. We have human relationships to find meaning in this social world.
- Showing appreciation to our friends of both sexes validates their existence and makes them fully human. They blossom like Leah.
- But when we fail to show our appreciation to people we're dating or other friends, they shrivel up and their lives lose meaning.
- There are many ways to show appreciation. It doesn't have to be something flamboyant like a party on a special occasion. In fact, the best appreciation is the kind you show every day, simply by putting your attention on the special people in your life, instead of on yourself. Just by being there for them, showing them that you're looking out for their best interests, doing all the PeopleSmart things we've learned in this program - that's how you show the people you value that you appreciate them and want to get even closer to them.
Step 3: Activities
Have students create wall charts listing verbal and nonverbal behaviors that accompany showing appreciation. Have students roleplay each of these behaviors.
Have students roleplay the PeopleSmart vignette from the video. After the roleplay. have students discuss how they feel.
Remind students of the earlier discussion of instances when someone showed appreciation or failed to show appreciation. Have students roleplay these situations.
Have students create a wall chart listing different ways of showing appreciation to others, ranging from throwing a party to simple, everyday things.
Have students plan and have a party with the theme "A Celebration of Appreciation."
- During the party, have each student take a turn on the "Appreciation Seat."
- Instruct everyone else to tell this person the things they appreciate about him/ her.
- Conclude each student's session on the "Appreciation Seat" by asking the student how he/she feels.
Have students:
- Roleplay a ceremony modeled after the Academy Awards, Emmys, MTV Awards, etc., in which each student gets up before the class and thanks "everyone who made this possible."
- Express their appreciation to their parents, teachers, and other friends who have had a positive influence on their lives.
- Make a commitment to actually telling these people how much they appreciate them.
- Report back to the class on how these shows of appreciation went.
Have students roleplay TV or movie scenes in which a character shows appreciation to others.
Have students form small groups and create and perform rap songs entitled "Thank You, Baby." Award prizes for each song's performance.
Have students design T-shirts, buttons, drawings, or paintings with the theme "I Appreciate You.”
Have students keep a journal of instances in which they show appreciation to others.
- Have them report their experiences to the class.
- Award "I Appreciate You" buttons to students who successfully show appreciation to others.
- Have the class assist students in learning from their experiences and developing strategies for being more successful in showing appreciation to others.
Have students identify the personal benefits of showing appreciation to others. Then have them create a wall chart listing these consequences.