A Smart Girl's Guide: Knowing What to Say. Patti Kelley Criswell

what to say if a friend lets you down

       what to say if someone is being teased

       what to say if you’re being teased

       quiz dealing with bullies

       staying strong around mean kids

       clever comebacks

       dealing with difficult adults

       sad times

       what to say if your friend’s pet dies

       what to say if your pet dies

       what to say when someone you know is sick

       reaching out

       what to say if your friend is moving away

       what to say if you’re moving away

       what to say if your friend’s parents divorce

       what to say if your parents divorce

       what to say if someone in your friend’s family dies

       what to say if someone in your family dies

       quiz supporting a grieving person

       I’m embarrassed!

       what to say about your family

       when you freeze up

       what to say about your differences

       it’s personal

       what to say at a friend’s awkward moment

       what to say at your awkward moment

       saying the right thing

       what to say to avoid hurting someone’s feelings

       what to say if someone takes advantage of you

       quiz now or later?

       accepting gifts

       what to say when you’re grateful

       follow the signs

       how to know if you’re a confident communicator

       it’s magic!

      small

      talk

      “We were just making small

      talk.” This saying means the

      conversation was easy and light.

      With small talk, you’re not shar-

      ing your deepest, darkest secrets,

      but it’s still an important part

      of everyday conversation. Small

      talk says that I want to know you

      better, that I care about you, and

      that what you say matters.

      25 things to say

      after “hi”

      Imagine that you want to start a conversation with the girl waiting next

      to you at the city bus stop, but you don’t know what to say. After saying

      hi, try one of these questions to get the talk going.

      1. I’m (your name). What’s your name?

      2. How’s it going? 3. What school do you go to?

      4. I’m in fifth grade. What grade are you in? 5. Do you take

      this bus often? 6. Do you ever bring an MP3 player to listen to?

      7. Want to play a game while we wait? 8. Have you seen (the latest

      movie)? 9. I wish I had brought my book. Do you like to read?

      10. Can you believe how (hot/rainy/cold) it is? 11. I thought I’d be

      late. Have you been here long? 12. So, what do you like to do when

      you’re not waiting for buses? 13. Tonight (a TV show) is on. Do you

      ever watch that? 14. Would you like a piece of gum? 15. I have a ton

      of homework. Does your teacher assign a lot of work? 16. I love your

      (something she’s wearing). Is it your favorite color? 17. Do you know

      what time it is? 18. I can’t wait for the weekend. I’m (give a detail

      about your plans). How about you? 19. I’m excited to get home to

      my new puppy. Do you have pets? 20. Have you lived here long?

      21. I love your hair. Did you braid it yourself? 22. Want to sit together?

      23. Do you think the bus will be late today? 24. Do you ride the

      school bus, too? 25. Where are you going today?