Objective: Students will be able to identify and deliver a proper apology.  (Total lesson time: 20 minutes)

Materials: SQUABBLES In The Movies, Lesson 12

Procedures: 

1. View the corresponding SQUABBLES video.  (Length: 5 minutes)
2. Discuss ways to give an improper apology.  (Wrong tone, hiding insults inside the apology, shifting blame, making excuses, overdoing it, bringing up private matters in front of others, etc.)  Examples: "Sorry you're such a jerk."  "Sorry you can't take a joke."  "Sorry your clothes are from Goodwill."  "Sorry you're ugly."  "Sorry you made such a big mistake."  "I'm sorry but..."
3. Discuss ways to give a proper apology.  (Simply say, “I’m sorry.” Genuinely be sorry.  Take responsibility for things you did wrong.)
4. If someone feels hurt by you, they may be showing anger, hatred or revenge towards you.  The best thing to do is ask, “Are you mad at me?” Let them explain why they are mad. And then respond with a true apology: “I am sorry for that.”
5. Sometimes, people are taking out their anger on us even though we didn’t do anything to them.  Maybe they are having trouble in another part of their life and they are taking it out on you. How should you respond to that?  (Apologize)  
6. Explain to students that you can still apologize to someone even if you didn’t do anything.  You can be sorry that they’re having a bad day. You can be sorry that they’re going through a rough time in their life.  Sometimes people just want to know that someone cares for them. Showing empathy with a sincere apology can turn things around.
7. Define “forgive”.  (To stop being angry at someone.  You understand that they are truly sorry.  You may still be affected by what they did, but you will choose not to hold it against them anymore.)

Closing: Review the differences between proper and improper apologies.  Discuss why it feels good to hear someone say they are sorry and why it feels great when we are forgiven.