"Student Workbook"

(1) LIFE SKILLS STUDENT WORKBOOK (Grade 5-6)

Student Workbook – Life Skills (Grade 5–6)

Series 1:

Absolutely! Let’s create a short student workbook for the lesson “Respecting Others in the Classroom”. This will include:

A clear title and objective
A few interactive activities
Space for students to reflect or draw
Friendly language, suitable for Grade 5–6 learners

🟦 Respecting Others in the Classroom

Student Workbook – Life Skills (Grade 5–6)

📘 Lesson Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will:

Understand what it means to respect others in school.
Be able to spot respectful and disrespectful behaviors.
Practice ways to show respect in your classroom.

✏️ Activity 1: What Is Respect?

Instructions:
In your own words, write what “respect” means.

👉 What is respect?

🧠 Activity 2: Respect or Not?

Instructions:
Tick ✔️ the actions that show respect. Cross ❌ the ones that do not.

Action	Respect ✔️ / Not ❌
Listening when someone is speaking	□ ✔️ / □ ❌
Laughing when a classmate makes a mistake	□ ✔️ / □ ❌
Helping a friend clean up their desk	□ ✔️ / □ ❌
Talking loudly while the teacher is talking	□ ✔️ / □ ❌
Sharing your crayons with a classmate	□ ✔️ / □ ❌

🎨 Activity 3: Draw Respect

Instructions:
Draw a picture of you showing respect to someone in your class or school.

✍️ (Use the space below)

[ Blank space for drawing ]

🤝 Activity 4: Our Class Respect Pledge

Instructions:
As a class, you’ll create a Respect Pledge.
Below, write one promise you want to keep to show respect.

✍️ My Respect Promise:
“I promise to ___________________________________________

because I want to make my classroom a respectful place.”

💬 Reflection Time

How do you feel when someone respects you?

How can YOU show respect to your teacher and classmates?

Absolutely, let’s build a short story with comprehension questions and a clear moral for the theme: “Respecting Others in the Classroom.”

📚 Story: “The Quiet Kid and the Loud Lesson”

There was a boy named Lebo who had just joined a new school. He was quiet and kind but very shy. Every day, he sat at the back of the classroom, listened carefully, and never interrupted anyone. He didn’t have many friends yet, and sometimes the louder kids didn’t notice him at all.

One day during group work, the teacher, Mrs. Dlamini, put Lebo in a team with Neo, who was known for always speaking first and loudest. When it was time to share ideas, Neo quickly said, “Okay, I’ll talk. I know what we should do.” He didn’t ask anyone else and just started writing.

Lebo gently raised his hand and whispered, “Maybe we could try another idea too…”
Neo rolled his eyes. “No one can even hear you. Speak up or don’t speak at all.”

Mrs. Dlamini noticed this and came over. She asked Neo, “Did you hear Lebo’s idea?”
Neo shrugged, “He talks too soft, ma’am.”
Mrs. Dlamini smiled and said, “Respect isn’t just about listening to loud voices. Sometimes the quietest students have the best ideas.”

She asked Lebo to repeat himself, and this time, everyone listened. His idea was smart and creative—and the group used it. Neo felt a bit ashamed but apologized to Lebo later. “I’m sorry for ignoring you. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

Lebo smiled and said, “Thanks, I’m glad you listened.”

From that day, Neo tried to listen more, and Lebo felt more confident in the classroom.

❓ Comprehension Questions

What kind of student was Lebo?
How did Neo behave during the group work?
What lesson did Mrs. Dlamini teach the students?
How did Neo show respect in the end?
Have you ever felt ignored in class? How did it make you feel?

🌟 Moral of the Story

“Respect is listening to everyone, not just the loudest voice. Every person’s idea matters.”

Series 2:

Absolutely! Here’s a short student workbook for the topic:
“Setting Goals and Dreaming Big” – perfect for Grade 5–6 learners. It’s interactive, motivational, and easy to follow.

🌟 Setting Goals and Dreaming Big

Student Workbook – Life Skills (Grade 5–6)

🎯 Lesson Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will:

Understand the difference between a goal and a dream
Set a personal goal
Learn how to plan steps toward your goal

🧠 Activity 1: What’s the Difference?

Instructions:
Write the difference between a dream and a goal in your own words.

A Dream is:

A Goal is:

🎨 Activity 2: Folded Paper Drawing

Instructions:
Take a piece of paper and fold it in half.
On one side, draw your Dream.
On the other side, draw your Goal.
(Ask your teacher to help if you need drawing paper.)

✍️ (Use the space below to describe your drawings if you like):

🗣️ Activity 3: Sharing Circle

Instructions:
In class, you will share one of your goals and one of your dreams.
Use this space to write them down before you speak.

✅ My Goal:

💭 My Big Dream:

🪜 Activity 4: Make an Action Plan

Instructions:
Write 3 steps that will help you reach your goal.

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

💬 Reflection Time

Why is it important to set goals?

What will you do when something becomes difficult?

Yes, let’s keep the momentum going! Here's a short story with comprehension questions and a moral for the theme: “Setting Goals and Dreaming Big.”

📚 Story: “Sindi’s Shoe Dream”

Sindi lived in a small village where the roads were dusty and full of stones. She had one pair of worn-out shoes that were too tight for her feet. But that didn’t stop her from running fast during playtime. Her dream? To become a champion runner and one day win a gold medal.

One afternoon, her school announced that there would be an athletics race in three months. The winner would get a trophy and a brand-new pair of running shoes. Sindi’s eyes lit up. This is my chance, she thought.

That night, she took an old notebook and wrote on the first page:
“Goal: Win the school race and get new shoes.”

Each morning, before school, Sindi woke up early to jog around her village. She didn’t have fancy equipment, but she had determination. Some days she felt tired. Some days she wanted to stay in bed. But her goal kept her going.

Her friends often said, “Why wake up so early? It’s just a school race.”
Sindi would smile and say, “Because I’m not just running for the race. I’m running for my dream.”

Finally, the big day arrived. The sun was hot, and Sindi’s heart was beating fast. The whistle blew, and the runners took off. Sindi ran like never before. She remembered her early mornings, her notebook, and her goal. When she crossed the finish line, she was first!

The crowd cheered. Her teacher hugged her. And when she received the new shoes, she whispered, “This is just the beginning.”

❓ Comprehension Questions

What was Sindi’s dream?
How did she work toward her goal?
Why did she write her goal in a notebook?
What helped Sindi keep going when it was hard?
Have you ever set a goal like Sindi? What was it?

🌟 Moral of the Story

“Dreams come true when we turn them into goals and take small steps every day.”

Series 3:

Let’s do it! Here's both a short workbook and a story with questions and a moral for the life skills topic:
“Dealing with Peer Pressure” – crafted for Grade 5–6 learners.

💬 Dealing with Peer Pressure

Student Workbook – Life Skills (Grade 5–6)

🎯 Lesson Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will:

Understand what peer pressure is
Recognize positive and negative peer pressure
Practice saying “no” in a respectful way

🧠 Activity 1: What Is Peer Pressure?

Instructions:
Write what you think “peer pressure” means.

Peer pressure is:

✅❌ Activity 2: Good or Bad?

Instructions:
Tick ✔️ if it’s positive peer pressure. Cross ❌ if it’s negative.

Situation	Good ✔️ / Bad ❌
A friend encourages you to do your homework	□ ✔️ / □ ❌
Friends laugh at you for not skipping class	□ ✔️ / □ ❌
Classmates cheer you on to join a soccer team	□ ✔️ / □ ❌
Someone dares you to steal from a shop	□ ✔️ / □ ❌

🗣️ Activity 3: Practice Saying “No”

Instructions:
Write what you would say in each situation.

1. A classmate tells you to lie to the teacher:
“I would say: ________________________________________”

2. Your friends want to leave school early without permission:
“I would say: ________________________________________”

💬 Reflection Time

Why is it sometimes hard to say no to friends?

What helps you make the right choice when pressured?

📚 Story: “The Cool Crowd”

Thuli was excited to start Grade 6. She had new books, a new backpack, and a big smile. She also wanted to make new friends. Soon, she started hanging out with a group called “The Cool Crowd.”

They were funny and loud. At first, they were kind, but after a few weeks, things started to change. One day, they dared Thuli to skip her Maths class and hang out by the sports field instead. “It’s just one class,” said Amanda. “Everyone does it!”

Thuli felt nervous. Maths was her favorite subject, and she didn’t want to miss it. But she also didn’t want to lose her new friends.

“I don’t know…” she said quietly.
Amanda laughed. “Don’t be a baby!”

Thuli took a deep breath and said, “I like being your friend, but I’m not skipping class. If you can’t respect that, maybe we’re not really friends.”

Amanda was surprised, but Thuli walked away and went to class. Later that day, another girl named Mbali said, “I saw what you did. That was brave. Want to sit with me at lunch?”

Thuli smiled. She had made a real friend—someone who respected her choices.

❓ Comprehension Questions

Who were “The Cool Crowd”?
What did they pressure Thuli to do?
How did Thuli respond to the pressure?
What did she learn about friendship?
What would you do in Thuli’s place?

🌟 Moral of the Story

“Real friends respect your choices. Being true to yourself is cooler than following the crowd.”

Series 4:

Absolutely! Here’s both a short workbook and a story with questions and a moral for the topic:
“How to Solve a Conflict” – perfect for Grade 5–6 learners.

🕊️ How to Solve a Conflict

Student Workbook – Life Skills (Grade 5–6)

🎯 Lesson Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will:

Understand what a conflict is
Learn peaceful ways to solve conflicts
Practice good communication in tough situations

🧠 Activity 1: What Is a Conflict?

Instructions:
In your own words, write what “conflict” means.

A conflict is:

🤔 Activity 2: Who Said What?

Instructions:
Match the conflict with the correct solution.

Conflict	Solution
A friend took your pencil without asking	A. Talk calmly and ask for it back
Two learners want the same seat	B. Take turns or ask the teacher for help
Someone shouts at you during a game	C. Stay calm, ask what upset them, and listen

Your Answers:

🗨️ Activity 3: Use Your Words

Instructions:
Fill in the blanks with kind words to solve the problem.

Situation: Your friend is upset because you didn’t pick them for your team.

You say:
“Hey, I’m really sorry you feel that way. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Next time, I’ll _________.”

💬 Reflection Time

Why is it important to stay calm during a conflict?

What happens when we don’t solve a conflict properly?

📚 Story: “The Ball Argument”

It was break time, and the field was full of energy. Tebogo and Zanele were both excited to play soccer. Tebogo brought the ball, and Zanele picked the teams. But when the game started, Tebogo felt Zanele’s team had all the best players.

“That’s not fair!” Tebogo shouted.
Zanele snapped back, “You’re just jealous because my team is better!”
The game stopped. The players argued. No one was having fun anymore.

Their teacher, Mr. Hlongwane, saw what happened and called them aside.
“Conflicts happen,” he said. “But shouting won’t fix anything. Let’s try the 3-step method:

Calm down
Talk and listen
Find a solution.”

Tebogo and Zanele took a deep breath.
Zanele said, “Okay, maybe I did pick too many strong players. Sorry.”
Tebogo replied, “I’m sorry too. I should’ve spoken nicely.”

They decided to mix the teams fairly and restarted the game—this time with more smiles and laughter.

❓ Comprehension Questions

What caused the conflict between Tebogo and Zanele?
How did they speak to each other at first?
What did the teacher teach them about solving conflict?
How did they solve the problem in the end?
Have you ever had a conflict like this? What did you do?

🌟 Moral of the Story

“When we calm down, talk it out, and listen, we can turn a conflict into a solution.”

Series 5:

Awesome! Here's the final short workbook and story with questions and a moral for the topic:
“Learning from Failure” – a powerful life lesson for Grade 5–6 learners.

📘 Learning from Failure

Student Workbook – Life Skills (Grade 5–6)

🎯 Lesson Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will:

Understand that failure is a part of learning
Reflect on mistakes in a positive way
Learn how to keep trying even when things go wrong

🧠 Activity 1: What Is Failure?

Instructions:
Write what you think “failure” means.

Failure means:

Is it okay to fail? Why or why not?

⏳ Activity 2: Think Back

Instructions:
Think of a time when something didn’t go the way you hoped.
Write about it and what you learned.

What happened?

How did you feel?

What did you learn?

💡 Activity 3: Try Again Plan

Instructions:
Imagine you failed at something (like a test or a goal).
Write 3 things you would do next time to improve.

1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________

💬 Reflection Time

Why is failure an important part of learning?

How does trying again make you stronger?

📚 Story: “The Broken Robot”

Lwazi loved science. More than anything, he wanted to build a robot that could move and talk. For the school science fair, he worked hard—cutting wires, programming parts, and designing the body. When the big day came, Lwazi smiled proudly at his robot, "Zee."

But during the presentation, Zee froze. Then made a buzzing noise. Then… POP! Smoke came out. The robot was broken.

Lwazi was embarrassed. The other projects were working fine. He felt like running away.

His teacher, Mrs. Ndlovu, came over. “Lwazi,” she said gently, “what happened?”

“I failed,” Lwazi mumbled. “All that work for nothing.”

Mrs. Ndlovu smiled. “No, you didn’t fail—you learned. Did you give up when it was hard?”

“No,” said Lwazi.

“Then you didn’t fail. You built something amazing. And next time, it’ll be even better.”

Lwazi went home that day and wrote in his notebook: Next goal: Make Zee walk and talk again. He kept working. A few weeks later, Zee stood up and waved.

❓ Comprehension Questions

What was Lwazi trying to build?
What happened during the science fair?
How did Lwazi feel?
What did his teacher say about failure?
What did Lwazi do after the fair?

🌟 Moral of the Story

“Failure is not the end—it’s a lesson that helps us grow and try again.”

🎉 That wraps up the Life Skills lesson series for Grade 5–6 under “Education Matters.” Born to Shine!