The Apathy Scenario Cards help 3rd through 6th grade students notice the moments when a lack of motivation, interest, or care starts to take over, like giving up on a group project, tuning out during a lesson, or not trying during a game. Students talk about each situation and how a change in mindset or behavior could lead to a more positive outcome.
The scenarios give students a way to look at their own internal dialogue and practice strategies for finding their motivation again.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Apathy Scenario Cards (32 cards): relatable moments when apathy might take over at school or with friends
- Thinking Through Overcoming Apathy Worksheet and a task card recording sheet
- Google Slides version for display and whole-class discussion
- Teacher background notes on student apathy, including a chart of 7 common causes of apathy
- Types of Motivation anchor chart explaining extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, with examples of each
- Tips for Fostering Intrinsic Motivation in Children teacher page
HOW THIS RESOURCE HELPS YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS
- Students compare the consequences of an apathetic response and a motivated response to the same situation.
- The worksheet asks students to consider how each choice affects themselves and others, and to brainstorm ways to take initiative.
- The teacher background notes on apathy give you context for conversations about motivation and effort.
- The Types of Motivation anchor chart gives students the words to talk about the difference between motivation that comes from outside them and motivation that comes from within.
- The cards work for class discussions, small group work, morning meetings, school counselor lessons, and individual reflection.
CASEL STANDARDS ALIGNMENT
Self-Management
- Managing one's emotions
- Identifying and using stress management strategies
- Exhibiting self-discipline and self-motivation
- Setting personal and collective goals
- Showing the courage to take initiative
- Demonstrating personal and collective agency
Self-Awareness
- Linking feelings, values, and thoughts
- Experiencing self-efficacy
- Having a growth mindset
- Developing interests and a sense of purpose
Responsible Decision Making
- Demonstrating curiosity and open-mindedness
- Anticipating and evaluating the consequences of one's actions
- Recognizing how critical thinking skills are useful both inside and outside of school
SAVE WITH AN SEL BUNDLE
These apathy scenarios are part of the Intrinsic Motivation & Positive Self-Talk Social Emotional Learning Unit with Morning Meeting Slides, which includes 25 days of editable lesson plans, printable student SEL journals, bulletin boards, posters, and teacher and student Google Slides.
This resource is also included in the What Would You Do Role Play Social Problem Solving Scenarios Bundle, along with 10 other scenario card sets, and in Social Emotional Learning Units & Activities with Morning Meeting Slides Set 3 and the Social Emotional Learning Units & Activities for Upper Elementary Morning Meeting Mega Bundle, which brings together all 16 SEL Morning Meeting units for a full year of social emotional learning.
Copyright © Tammy Roose, Tarheelstate Teacher.
The purchase of this resource gives the buyer permission to download and copy for single classroom use only. Electronic distribution is also limited to single classroom use. Copying for other teachers, school-wide use, or school systems is only allowed with the purchase of additional licenses.
