Family Matters: Getting Along and Working Things Out
Learning Goals:
- Learn new words to talk about families.
- Talk about different roles people play in families.
- Read about a family that learns to communicate better.
- Listen to a family therapist talk about common family problems.
- Write a letter to a family member to solve a conflict.
Key Words:
- Family dynamics: How family members get along and interact with each other.
- Role: The part someone plays in a family. (Examples: parent, child, sibling)
- Communication: Talking and listening to each other.
- Conflict: A disagreement or argument.
- Empathy: Trying to understand how someone else is feeling.
- Compromise: Finding a solution that works for everyone.
Let’s Talk About It!
- What are some roles that people play in families? (Think about who cooks, cleans, helps with homework, etc.)
- What are some things that can cause problems or arguments in families? (Example: different opinions, misunderstandings, feeling like you’re not being heard.)
- How can families solve problems and get along better?
Let’s Read a Story!
The Jefferson family used to argue a lot. They didn’t listen to each other, and they always blamed each other for problems. Then, they decided to try something new. They started talking about their feelings and trying to understand each other’s points of view. It wasn’t always easy, but they learned to compromise and communicate better.
Questions About the Story:
- What was the Jefferson family’s problem?
- What did they do to try to fix it?
- Did their plan work?
Listen and Learn!
(Teacher plays a short clip of a family therapist talking about common family problems and solutions.)
Talk with a Partner!
One of you is a family member who is upset about something. The other is a family member trying to listen and understand.
Example:
- Person 1: “I’m so angry that you borrowed my bike without asking!”
- Person 2: “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. I’ll ask next time. Can you explain why it upset you so much?”
Homework:
Think of a time when you had a disagreement with a family member. Write a short letter to them. Explain how you felt, apologize if you need to, and offer a solution to avoid the same problem in the future.
Extra Fun:
Create a family tree! Include the names of your family members and write one word to describe each person’s role in the family.
