SOCIAL MOMENTS™ describe social situations that may be problematic for students.
These SITUATION CARDS are to be presented as a game that may be played in the classroom. Each card corresponds with a specific lesson in the Making The Effort curriculum; however, they may be modified to better fit the needs of each class.
A list of possible solutions for each card may be found in the appendix of the Making The Effort teacher's guides.
Note: These responses should not be considered “the” way to handle the situation.
The game emphasizes that several responses may be appropriate for a given situation. Possible responses are listed here only because the students may not be able to respond or because they may need additional responses as a basis for comparison. Therefore, the responses should not be considered exemplary, definitive, or exhaustive in any way.
Situation | Possible Responses | |
1. | You've been invited to the school dance. The dance is two weeks from now, but already you're wondering what you'll wear. You see a great outfit in a store window downtown, but you don't have enough money to buy it. What do you do?
(Unit 2, Lesson 5)
| - Pick up some extra work during the next month to earn money to buy the outfit you want.
- Shop for something you can afford.
- Wear something you already have.
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2. | Your mother's birthday is next week. You'd like to cook a special dinner for her, but you haven't had much practice in the kitchen. What do you do?
(Unit 2, Lesson 2) | - Look through several cookbooks to find something that looks good, but easy. Then follow the recipe exactly.
- Ask someone who can cook to help you.
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3. | You're about to break up with your significant other, and he/she starts saying how much he/ she loves you. What do you do?
(Unit 10, Lesson 3)
| - Stop him/her before he/she goes any further and say how you feel. |
4. | You've been working really hard to do well in a certain class. A friend asks to borrow two weeks' worth of your work so he can catch up. What do you do?
(Unit 7, Lesson 5) | - Tell your friend you'll help him make up the work, but you won't give him yours.
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5. | Chris needs a resume to apply for a job. He's never written one before and isn't sure what should be included on it. What should he do?
(Unit 11, Lesson 1)
| - Get some books out of the library that tell how to write a resume.
- Talk to his guidance counselor.
- Talk to someone at an employment agency. |
6. | You've gone out with someone else behind your significant other's back. He/she finds out. What do you do? (Unit 9, Lesson 4)
| - Apologize and explain why you did it. |
7. | Your friend calls you to tell you she just broke up with her boyfriend. She wonders if she could come over that evening just to talk. She sounds upset. You had planned to go out. What do you do?
(Unit 9, Lesson 2) | - Tell her you have plans you can't change. Invite her to come tomorrow.
- Talk to her on the phone and try to work out the problem.
- Cancel your plans.
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8. | You're out with your friends and they want to pick up a 6-pack do it. of beer. Nobody in the group is old enough to buy it. Your friends want you to ask your older brother to go buy it for you. What do you do?
(Unit 7, Lesson 5) | - Tell them your brother won't do it.
- Tell them you don't want to ask
your brother because he could get in trouble for buying liquor
for minors.
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9. | You did your homework, but when the teacher asks everyone to hand it in, you can't find yours. You realize. you must have left it at home. What do you do?
(Unit 10, Lesson 4) | - After class, explain to the teacher what happened. Of fer to go home after school and yours bring it back.
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10. | A friend wants to borrow money and promises to pay you back. He/she has borrowed money before and you've never been paid back. What do you do?
(Unit 12, Lesson 2)
| - Tell your friend you won't lend him the money because he still hasn't repaid previous loans.
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11. | You and Chris agreed to meet for your date in a restaurant.
You waited and waited, but Chris never showed up. You see Chris the next day-talking and laughing with your friends. What do you do?
(Unit 10, Lesson 3)
| - Wait to get Chris alone. Then ask what happened.
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12. | You don't have a date for the dance. You've decided to just go with a friend. The day before the dance you get a date with someone you've been wanting to go out with for a long time. Your friend is depending on you
What do you do?
(Unit 9, Lesson 2) | - Explain to the date about previous plans. Ask if he/she can get a date for your friend or if your friend can come with you.
- Tell your friend about being asked for the date. Ask your friend to tell you honestly how
he/she would feel about your
going.
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13. | You hear about a part-time job at the neighborhood grocery store. You'd love to get this job, but are afraid that someone with more work experience than you will be hired. What do you do?
(Unit 1, Lesson 2) | - Apply for the job! You might
even ask a friend or teacher to
call the store manager to give
you a recommendation.
- Talk to the manager about the job. Explain your qualifications and tell him how hard you'd work. Apply for the job.
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14. | You're looking for an apartment. Today's paper lists an apartment in a good neighborhood for a bargain price. You wonder whether it's too good to be true. You also realize that many others like you will probably be interested in the same apartment. What do you do?
(Unit 1, Lesson 2) | - Call up the agency or person listing the apartment and find out exactly where it is and what it's like. If you're still interested, ask how you can fill out an application.
- Go over to see the apartment.
Fill out an application for the apartment.
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15. | One of the people who works with you at the hamburger stand is sick. No one is able to come in as a substitute on such short notice. You're especially busy.
What do you do?
(Unit 4, Lesson 2) | - Work extra hard to keep up.
- Figure out some way that everyone who is working can assume a little of the extra workload. |
16. | Your bike has a flat tire. You have an appointment somewhere in an hour and you don't know any other way to get there on time.
What do you do?
(Unit 1, Lesson 5)
| - Call the person with whom you have an appointment. Reschedule your appointment, if possible.
- Call a friend and see if he/she can pick you up and drive you to your appointment.
- Call a taxi.
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17. | Nobody wants to see this horror movie that you really want to see. You finally talk an "ex" friend into going. You blurt out "Boy, am I glad. I asked everyone else. I didn't think I'd ever find anyone who'd say yes." Chris's face goes blank. You really blew it. What do you do?
(Unit 10, Lesson 2) | - Say, "You know, it's hard to find people with good taste in movies these days. I'm glad I ran into, you!"
- Apologize quickly and change the subject.
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18. | You need a summer job, but have never had a job before. You're not sure how or where to start looking. What do you do?
(Unit 11, Lesson 4)
| - Talk to your guidance counselor for suggestions.
- Look through the ads in the
newspaper.
- Talk to some of your friends who have had summer jobs and get their advice.
- Go to the library and find a book on looking for summer jobs.
- Visit or call an employment agency. |
19. | One of your co-workers, Pat, is in love with you. Pat's always leaving you little gifts and notes. People in the office are starting to talk. You think Pat's nice and you'd like to be friends - but that's all. Pat's just left you another gift. What do you do?
(Unit 9, Lesson 3) | - Return the gifts. Thank Pat and explain that you'd like to be friends but feel uncomfortable accepting all these gifts.
- Tell Pat that people in the office are talking. Ask Pat to stop
giving you gifts.
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20. | You need help with a purchase. The only sales clerk in the store is talking on the phone and it's obviously a personal call. You've been waiting politely, but you don't have all day. What do you?
(Unit 12, Lesson 2) | - Say "Excuse me" authoritatively. Explain that you've been waiting and need help.
- Leave the store. Call or write the manager and explain what happened
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21. | You're sitting in a park with a group of people who are using drugs. You don't use drugs. They tell you it's your turn and push you to try some. You want to impress these people. What do you do?
(Unit 7, Lesson 5) | - Say "No thanks."
- Say that you're laying off for a while, but thanks anyway.
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22. | You're having a small party. Some of your friends show up to "crash" it. You don't want to lose these friendships, but you don't want them at the party. What do you do?
(Unit 7, Lesson 5) | - Explain that your parents said you could have only a few people over, and quickly suggest that you get together next weekend.
- Gently explain, "I really like you all, but tonight's not the night for us all to be here."
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23. | Two of your friends are having a loud argument in a restaurant. Everyone's looking at your table. What do you do?
(Unit 9, Lesson 2) | - Suggest that your friends settle their disagreement outside.
- If that fails, tell your friends to quiet down and move yourself to a table for one.
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24. | You've been working really hard at your new job. The boss calls you into her office. You and all your friends at work expect you're going to get a raise or a promotion. The boss says she's going to have to lay you off - times are bad and you were one of the last people hired. When you come out of her office, your friends are all waiting to hear the news. What do you do?
(Unit 6, Lesson 3) | -Tell the truth.
- Explain it with as much humor as possible and ask if anyone's heard of any job openings. |
25. | You're having a very personal talk with a friend at lunch. A co-worker you don't know well comes up to your table and asks to join you. What do you do?
(Unit 9, Lesson 2)
| - Change the topic and invite the person to join you.
- Explain that you're having a very personal conversation right now and invite the co-worker to join you for lunch tomorrow. |
26. | You're at a party, and you've had a few too many drinks. Kim whom you've silently adored for several months- walks up and asks for a ride home in your car.
This is the chance you've been waiting for. But you know you're in no shape to drive. What do you do?
(Unit 8, Lesson 2)
| - Say, "Kim, you're such precious cargo- I wouldn't dream of driving you anywhere in this condition!"
- Say okay but insist that Kim do the driving.
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27. | You never seem to have enough cash, so you often borrow money from a friend. Lately you noticed that your friends seem to be avoiding you and making little jokes about your borrowing money. What do you do? (Unit 12, Lesson 2)
| - Pay them back.
- Put yourself on a budget and stick to it
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28. | You finally saved up enough money to buy a new bike. You see one that's really cool. The salesman is putting heavy pressure on you. He says you'd better buy it now, or someone else will beat you to it. You don't want to rush into anything.
What do you do?
(Unit 7, Lesson 5)
| - Say, "I'll take my chances.” Then get advice, do comparison shopping, and calmly make your decision.
- Be equally assertive and ask the salesman why he's in such a rush to get rid of the bike.
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29. | You hear through the "grapevine" that your old friend is spreading rumors about you. This friend is jealous- you just got the job he wanted. What do you do?
(Unit 9, Lesson 41)
| - Confront the friend; discuss why the problem is happening
and ask him to straighten it out.
- Visit your friend. Say, "Can you believe that anyone would say all this about me?" Watch your
friend squirm. |
30. | You're at a video arcade. You see a guy standing in front of a machine. He's faking it like he's playing. But he hasn't put any money in the machine. You politely ask him to move, but he doesn't. You ask again. He continues to ignore you. What do you do?
(Unit 12, Lesson 2)
| - Look for another game.
- Ask the attendant to handle the problem.
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31. | Tim sits behind you in class. He never takes notes or pays attention. You've been working your
tail off to do well in this class. Tim asks if he can cheat off you during the test. What do you do?
(Unit 7, Lesson 5)
| - Say "No."
- Say "Yes," but block Tim's view of the paper during the test. Act like you forgot all about Tim's request.
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32. | Your roommate never does dishes unless you nag her. Then she calls you a nag. You hate being put in that position. What do you do?
(Unit 1, Lesson 3)
| - Go on strike; do no dishes until she breaks down.
- Clean up only after yourself. Save up for a dishwasher.
- Discuss the problem and come up with a solution that's agreeable to both of you. |
33. | You went out on a date with Luke last week. You don't think you two hit it off too well. But Luke thinks you make a great pair and keeps calling you. What do you do?
(Unit 7, lesson 3) | - Tell Luke you have to wash your hair every night for the next year.
- Tell Luke that you've reunited with your former significant other.
-Consistently say, "No thank you.” |
34. | You've gone on a date to a movie and you had a good time. Your date invites you to stop at their house for a bite to eat. You know that no one else is home. You think your date has "plans." What do you do? (Unit 7, Lesson 5)
| - Say that you're not at all hungry.
- Propose instead that you go someplace else - suggest a very public spot.
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35. | A friend invites you to a fancy party. You want to go. But you can't afford the appropriate clothes. What do you do? (Unit 2, Lesson 5) | - Borrow them.
- Make do with the best you have.
- Rent them.
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36. | Your best friend just broke up with his girlfriend because he met someone new. You think his ex is attractive, and you'd like to date her. What do you do? (Unit 9, Lesson 2)
| - Tell your friend first. Then ask her out.
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37. | You run into a person you recently met at a party and really liked. You call him/her by the wrong name. What do you do? (Unit 8, Lesson 3) | -Introduce yourself again and remind him/her of where you first met.
-Start a conversation by asking him/her how he/she enjoyed the party.
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38. | You made plans to go out with friends this Friday. Now it's Friday, and you don't have enough money. You already owe your friends money from last week-end. What do you do? (Unit 9, Lesson 5) | -Call your friends and say you can't go.
-Suggest that they come over and watch TV or play cards or a game.
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39 | Your friend Stewart loves to spend hours talking on the phone. One night you fall asleep while he's talking. You have to face him at work this morning. What do you do?
(Unit 9, Lesson 4) | - Apologize.
- When he calls next time, interrupt after talking for a while, and say you need to get some other things done. Say you'll talk to him later.
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40. | Your friend's significant other keeps coming on to you whenever you're alone. What do you do? (Unit 9, Lesson 2) | -Avoid being alone with this person.
-Tell this person to lay off; explain that you will otherwise have to tell your friend.
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41. | You never go on blind dates. But your best friend is in a bind, and he already promised you'd go out with his cousin tonight. What do you do? (Unit 9, Lesson 2)
| -Go and make the best of it, but warn your friend never to make a promise for you again. |
42. | You run into a person you met last night. He remembers your name, but you can't remember
his. What do you do?
(Unit 8, Lesson 3)
| - Say, "Gee, I'm sorry. I didn't catch your name."
- Wait until you hear someone
else mention his name.
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43. | You and Brooklynn work at Mr. B's Burgers. You've just seen Brooklynn hiding food in her purse to take home. What do you do?
(Unit 10, Lesson 1)
| - Confront Brooklynn. Explain that you would prefer not to tell Mr. B., but that you think she's wrong to steal his property.
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44. | Your friend invited you over for the evening. On the way, you stop for a burger and fries. When you arrive, you see the table set for dinner. Your friend has prepared a very fancy meal, but you aren't at all hungry. What do you
do?
(Unit 9, Lesson 2)
| - Eat anyway, and don't say a word about the burger and fries.
- Say you've not been feeling well lately and that you don't yet have your appetite back. |
45. | You're at a party with some very cool people. You've felt awkward all night, and you can't seem to stop saying and doing stupid things. You feel like a complete jerk, and you're pretty sure no one would disagree. What do you do?
(Unit 7, Lesson 3) | - Quietly disappear; head home.
- If you can't leave, sit quietly and compose yourself. Try to be more of a "wallflower" tonight
than usual.
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46. | Your best friend loaned you his/ her best shirt. You wore it and stained it. You looked everywhere, but no stores are selling this shirt right now. You can't replace it. Your friend just asked for the shirt. What do you do?
(Unit 12, Lesson 2)
| - Tell the truth and offer to pay for it.
- Explain that you tried to find a replacement.
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47. | Your date for the dance - which is tomorrow night - has just come down with the flu. You've spent a lot of money on the right clothes, ticket, etc. What do you do?
(Unit 11, Lesson 1)
| - Quick- try to get another date!
- Call a computer dating service.
- Go alone but take a mannequin!
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48. | Your friend Nick always cuts class. Now that finals are coming up, Nick says he'll need your notes to study from. The day before your exam, Nick comes for the notebook. He says, "Come on. You've been to class. You'll do okay. Besides, you promised you'd let me use it." What do you do?
(Unit 12, Lesson 2)
| - Accompany Nick to a photocopy store and let Nick pay to make copies of your notes.
- If you really like Nick, let him study with you.
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49. | You've very patiently waited in line for the cashier for 15 minutes. It's finally your turn when a guy walks up and starts a long talk with the cashier. What do you do?
(Unit 12, Lesson 2 | - Interrupt their conversation and point out that you've been waiting for help for quite a while.
- Ask to speak to the cashier's boss. |
50. | You hear your friends talking about the great time they had at Pat's the other night. You ask how come no one told you about the party. One friend says Pat tried to call you but you didn't answer. You know that you had your phone all day, and no one called. Somebody's lying. What do you do?
(Unit 10, Lesson 2) | - Say nothing and start looking for new friends.
- Or confront them and watch them squirm. |
51. | Your best friend- who is great - has a sister you can't stand. Your friend wants to include her sister in everything you do. She's just asked if it's okay to bring Sis
along today. What do you do?
(Unit 9, Lesson 2) | - Start looking for something to like about the sister.
- Do fewer things with your friend.
- Tell your friend that sometimes you'd rather do things just with her. |
52. | Your boss is on your back because you're always late for work. You've been trying to get to work on time but today the bus broke down on the way in.
Your boss looks really angry.
What do you do?
(Unit 1, Lesson 5)
| - Tell the truth. Then clean up your act permanently. |
53. | Your girlfriend is angry because you often forget dates you have set, and she ends up sitting home on weekend nights. You've promised it won't happen again, but when you woke up this morning you realized you forgot about your date last night.
What do you do?
(Unit 1, Lesson 5)
| - Send flowers and beg for forgiveness.
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54. | A person you barely know is pressuring you to lend him money. What do you do? (Unit 7, Lesson 5) | -Say no consistently.
-Suggest that he look into the local loan shark.
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