Athletics & Wellness Grade 10 45 min

Building Your Toolkit: Refusal Skills & Healthy Alternatives

This lesson helps you build confidence in saying 'no' to risky situations and discover positive alternatives. These skills are crucial for making choices that keep you safe, healthy, and true to yourself.

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What & Why

Refusal skills are the tools you use to say “no” to things you don’t want to do, especially when you feel pressured. They allow you to make decisions that align with your values and keep you safe, without damaging friendships.Healthy alternatives are positive choices you can make instead of engaging in risky behaviors. Having a plan for what you'll do instead makes it much easier to say no and stick to it. This toolkit is about being prepared, confident, and in control of your own well-being.
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Example 1 — The Party Offer

You're at a party and a friend offers you their vape, saying, “Try this, it’s a new flavor.” You don't want to.How to respond:Say No Clearly: Make eye contact and say, “No, thanks, I’m good.” Your tone should be friendly but firm.Suggest an Alternative: Immediately pivot to something else. “I’m actually going to grab some pizza, want any?” This changes the subject and moves the focus.Remove Yourself (if needed): If they insist, just walk away. “Alright, I’m gonna go find Sarah. Catch you later.” You don't owe them a big explanation.
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Example 2 — The Unsafe Ride

Your friend who drove you to a movie has been drinking alcohol they snuck in. Now it's time to go home and they grab their keys.How to respond:State the Fact & Your Decision: Calmly say, “I saw you drinking, so I can't get in the car with you.” This is about safety, not judgment.Offer a Group Solution: Frame it as a team effort. “Let's call a rideshare or one of our parents. It’s safer for everyone.”Show You Care: Reassure them this is about friendship. “I’d be worried if anything happened to you. Let's just get a safe ride.”

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Sample Practice Questions

Beginner
What is the primary goal of using a refusal skill?
A.To respectfully avoid a situation you're not comfortable with.
B.To prove that you are better than the person pressuring you.
C.To start an argument and show why the other person is wrong.
D.To apologize for not wanting to participate in an activity.
Beginner
You're at a friend's house and they offer you a beer. You don't want it. What is the most effective first response?
A.Quietly take it so you don't make things awkward.
B.Say, “No, thanks. Is that a new video game over there?”
C.Lecture them on the dangers of underage drinking.
D.Pretend you didn't hear them and look at your phone.
Beginner
Which of the following is NOT a key component of effective refusal?
A.Using a firm tone of voice.
B.Making eye contact.
C.Suggesting a healthy alternative.
D.Being apologetic and hesitant.

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Frequently asked questions

What grade level is "Building Your Toolkit: Refusal Skills & Healthy Alternatives"?

Building Your Toolkit: Refusal Skills & Healthy Alternatives is a Grade 10 Athletics & Wellness lesson on ExcelOS.

What will I learn in Building Your Toolkit: Refusal Skills & Healthy Alternatives?

This lesson helps you build confidence in saying 'no' to risky situations and discover positive alternatives. These skills are crucial for making choices that keep you safe, healthy, and true to yourself.

Is "Building Your Toolkit: Refusal Skills & Healthy Alternatives" free to practice?

Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.

How many practice questions are included with Building Your Toolkit: Refusal Skills & Healthy Alternatives?

This lesson includes 12 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.

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