Make any mistakes lately? Of course you have- we all have!
Just yesterday, I snapped at my teenager for spilling water on my leg. Did he really do something wrong? No. I was feeling frustrated about something else and took it out on him. I immediately knew I needed to apologize.
We all make mistakes—big ones, small ones, on-purpose ones, and by-mistake ones. It happens all the time. And after each mistake should come an apology, right? Right! When it does, it’s important that it is sincere and uncomplicated.
But what does a sincere and uncomplicated apology actually look like?
What words should you use—and what should you avoid?
When is the right time to apologize? Is it ever too late?
And what can you do to truly make things right?
If you’ve ever wondered these same things, you’re not alone!
Fortunately, I have a few helpful resources to share.
First—a BOOK! I love using books to teach and practice skills of all kinds. They help students understand concepts more easily and make learning so much more fun.
How to Apologize, written by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka, is full of practical tips on when, why, and how to say sorry. Young children love this book because the illustrations are sweet and the examples are hilarious. Adults love it because it clearly shows what a meaningful apology looks like!
LaRochelle teaches students to…
🩷 Keep apologies simple
🩷 Be sincere
🩷 Avoid making excuses
🩷 Fix the mistake—if possible
How to Apologize Activities
After learning how to apologize, it’s important to practice! I created a few activities you can use in the classroom or at home to give students experience apologizing in a fun and safe way. Simply print the task cards, share them with your students, and start the discussion!
A Sincere Apology? Discussion Task Card
- Is this a sincere (and uncomplicated) apology?
- As a group, discuss why or why not.
- Help students identify excuses vs. responsibility.
How to Fix it: Discussion Task Cards
- What went wrong?
- How can you make things right?
- As a group, discuss possible solutions and next steps.
Apology Scenario Task Cards
- Work with a partner or small group
- Create a sincere and uncomplicated apology
- Share and discuss responses as a class
Write an Apology Note
Choose an Apology Scenario card or use a real-life example and write a sincere apology note
Encourage students to:
- Take responsibility
- Avoid excuses
- Offer a way to fix the mistake
Would you like more information, just click the image below!
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