Ways to Say No

Grade level

Grades 3–5

Time

About 20 minutes

Topic

Problem solving and decisions

Answer key

Yes, page 2 of the PDF

Kids practice

Problem solving, Decision making, Thinking about consequences, Safety

What kids do

Printed on the sheet:

1. Strong ways to say no: say “no” clearly, give a reason, suggest something else to do, or walk away and tell a grown-up.
2. Circle the letter of the strongest way to say no.
3. 1. Friends dare you to ring a neighbor’s doorbell and run.
4. 2. A friend wants to copy your test answers.

Teacher tip

Practice saying no with a strong voice and a clear face.

How to use it

• Use real (and safe) classroom problems as extra examples.
• Let kids share how they decided, not just what they picked.
• Model your own answer first. Kids open up more when the grown-up goes first.

Watch for

Some scenarios involve safety. Make sure every child knows which grown-ups to tell.

Talk about it

• What could happen next if you made that choice?
• How might someone else see it differently?

Take it further

Act out a scenario two ways: one choice and then another.

US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.