Fun with Character: The 4 A’s of Apologizing
Here’s a guide for helping to remember how to apologize. It is more than just a simple “I’m sorry”.
Admit what you did wrong. You need to be specific about what you did. “I borrowed your sweater without asking first.”
Apologize for how your choice affected the other person. “I’m sorry that it wasn’t in your closet when you needed it. Will you forgive me?”
Ask for what you can do to make it up to the person. “I know I can’t undo what I did. I can hand-wash your sweaters for you or something else if you’d rather.”
Alter your choice in the future. “I promise to ask next time.”
Ask the class to come up with some examples. When you have come up with several, ask them if forgiveness is automatic. (No) Bring in the character trait of trust. Sometimes an apology is not accepted because there is no trust that the words mean anything. Explain that in this case, it will take proving the words with future behavior in order to earn forgiveness.