Using My Social Filter

Using My Social Filter

By Ms. Marcellus

What is a Filter?

Pretend that you have some muddy water.  You want to drink this water, but it is dirty!

A filter is a special kind of paper that can remove dirt from water.  When you pour the dirty water into the filter, the water goes through the filter paper, and the dirt stays in the paper.  Ta-da! Now you have clean water in your cup!

My Social Filter

I have a filter inside my brain.  It is called my social filter.  I use my social filter every day.  

All of my thoughts go through my social filter.  Any thoughts that are hurtful should stay in the filter. They should not come out of my mouth.

What is a Hurtful Thought?

A hurtful thought is something that will hurt someone’s feelings or make them sad.  Some hurtful thoughts are: I don’t like you!  Or You are not my friend.  These thoughts should stay in my filter.  These thoughts should not come out of my mouth.  

I do not want to hurt my friend’s feelings or make them sad.  If I hurt their feelings, they might not want to be my friend anymore.  

Let's Practice!

Let’s practice using our social filter.  

Someone steps on your mat during quiet time.  You think, Get off my mat!  I don’t like you anymore!  Should you say this thought or should this thought stay in your filter?

This thought should stay in your filter!  This thought is unkind and might hurt your friend’s feelings.  

Someone throws leaves in your face during recess.  You think, I don’t like that.  Please stop.  Should this thought stay in your filter or should you say it?  

You can say this! This is a respectful  way to explain your feelings to a friend.  

When I am with my friends, I need to remember to use my social filter.  If I use my social filter, I can have fun with my friends at school!