Coping with jealousy Simone has a baby brother. Everything was really lovely at first and Simone loved helping her mum look after him. Recently though, as he has grown bigger, he cries a lot and demands a lot of attention. Mum has little time for Simone and Leon even sleeps in mum’s bedroom. 1 What do you think Simone feels? 2 Why do you think Leon cries and needs attention? 3 How do you think Simone’s mum is feeling? 4 What could happen next?

Pride in the community Ben is walking home from school when he sees a group of older boys at the corner of his street talking and laughing. As they walk towards him they drop cans and food wrappers on the ground. Ben is upset by them dropping this rubbish and then recognises one of the boys as his cousin. 1 How does this scenario make you feel? 2 What might happen next? 3 What would you do in this situation? 4 What might Ben do when he sees his cousin later?

Being responsible Jamal is in the park playing with his little brother. His mates come along and want him to go with them and play football. Jamal really wants to but knows he should take care of his brother. 1 How do you think Jamal is feeling? 2 What might he do? 3 What could happen if he goes with his mates? 4 Have you ever been in a similar situation? 5 What is it like looking after a younger brother or sister?

Sharing a room Poppy shares a bedroom with her sister Tamsin. Poppy looks after her things and keeps her side of the room tidy. Tamsin is very messy and this is getting on Poppy’s nerves. She complains to mum who tells her not to be so fussy. 1 What is Poppy thinking and feeling about her sister? 2 What is Poppy thinking and feeling about her mum? 3 What is Tamsin feeling about the situation? 4 What could happen to make Poppy feel better? 5 What is good and bad about sharing a room with a sister or brother?

Sharing chores Carla’s mum expects her to help a lot in the house. Carla likes helping her mum but is getting very fed up because her brother, who is one year younger than she is, never helps at all. She doesn’t think it fair that he goes out to play while she stays in clearing up. 1 How is Carla feeling? 2 What is she thinking? 3 Why is she expected to help in the house and not her brother? 4 What advice would you give to Carla? 5 What advice would you give Carla’s mum?

School council Ed is in Year 4 and interested in being on the school council. He thinks he could speak out in public and have good ideas about improving life in school but he is not sure how to go about it. He is popular but quite shy. 1 How do you think Ed is feeling? 2 What do you think Ed could do about joining the school council? 3 How might his friends react? 4 What do you think will happen? 5 Would you like to be in a school council?

Better than you? Tarif has made friends with Geoff who has just moved into the area. Geoff is a lot of fun and they have a good laugh together. One day after school Geoff is round at Tarif’s house and is telling him how much money his parents have and all the great things he owns. Tarif has never been to Geoff’s flat but he knows it is in a block that is very run-down and not the sort of place people who are rich would want to live. 1 What is happening here? 2 What are Tarif and Geoff thinking? 3 How are they both feeling? 4 What advice would you give to the two boys? 5 How does this situation make you feel?

New teacher Michael has just moved up to Year 4 and cannot get used to his new teacher. She speaks too quickly and he cannot understand what she is saying. He can’t do the work and is too scared to ask for help. He misses his old teacher in Year 3 and is beginning to hate coming to school. 1 What is happening here? 2 What is Michael thinking and feeling? 3 What could happen next? 4 What could Michael do to help him in class? 5 What advice would you give Michael?