The Squeeze Worksheet The Squeeze
Boundary-Setting Workbook
Name:
Date:
1
Spotting the Squeeze
Read each situation below. Circle YES if it is an example of "The Squeeze" (peer pressure or being in the middle) or NO if it is not.
"Leo says he won't be your friend anymore if you keep talking to Sarah."
YES NO
"Steven and Kelly ask you if you want to play four square at recess."
YES NO
"Maya and Sam are fighting and both want you to tell them who is right."
YES NO
2
Build Your "No" Sandwich
Situation: A friend is pressuring you to leave a mean note on someone's desk.
The Bread (Validation):
How can you start by being kind to the friend?
The Filling (The Boundary):
Be clear! What is your "No"?
The Bread (The Pivot):
Where are you going next? How will you walk away?
3
Calm Your Body
One thing I can do to calm my body when I feel pressured is:
Squeeze Session Slides The Squeeze
Activity Session
Interactive Class Challenge
Part One
Spot the Squeeze
I'm going to show you three situations. Your job is to decide:
YES
NO
Is this peer pressure or being stuck in the middle?
1
Scenario One
The Quote
"Leo says he won't be your friend anymore if you keep talking to Sarah."
YES
Squeeze
NO
Normal
2
Scenario Two
The Quote
"Steven and Kelly ask you if you want to play four square at recess."
YES
Squeeze
NO
Normal
3
Scenario Three
The Quote
"Maya and Sam are fighting and both want you to tell them who is right."
YES
Squeeze
NO
Normal
Part Two
Build the Sandwich
Practice using your boundary-setting tool as a group!
The Challenge Scenario
"A friend is pressuring you to leave a mean note on someone's desk."
Build Your own "No" Sandwich
1
The Bread (Validation)
How can you start by being kind to the friend?
2
The Filling (The Boundary)
Be clear! What is your "No"?
3
The Bread (The Pivot)
Where are you going next? How will you walk away?
Calm Your Body
When you're "In The Squeeze," your body might feel tight or hot.
What is ONE thing you can do to stay calm?
Breathing? Counting? A quick physical squeeze?
Great Work!
Boundary-Setting Experts
Neutral Ground Lesson Plan Neutral Ground
Lesson Plan: Navigating The Squeeze
Target Grade 4th Grade
Duration
45-60 Minutes
Focus
Assertive Communication
Strategy
The "No" Sandwich
Learning Objectives
Students will identify the feeling of being "in the middle" of a conflict.
Students will practice assertive communication to set boundaries.
Students will demonstrate how to respectfully say "no" and walk away from peer pressure.
Materials Needed
Pressure Points Slides
The Squeeze Worksheet (Option A)
Squeeze Session Slides (Option B)
Power Plays Scenario Cards
Power Play Team Worksheet
Lesson Procedure
1
The Human Squeeze (Hook) — 10 Mins
Invite three student volunteers. Have two students stand on either side of the third student. The two outside students gently (but firmly) pull on the middle student's arms in opposite directions while saying, "Come play soccer with me!" and "No, come help me with this drawing!"
Ask: How does it feel to be the person in the middle? Why is it hard to choose?
2
Identifying the Squeeze — 10 Mins
Use the Pressure Points Slides to define "Triangulation" (being put in the middle) and "Peer Pressure." Discuss the physical feelings in the body (tight stomach, shaky hands) when we feel pressured.
3
Toolbox: The "No" Sandwich — 15 Mins
Introduce the "No" Sandwich formula:
1. Validation: "I value our friendship..."
2. The Boundary (The "No"): "...but I'm not going to take sides/do that."
3. The Pivot/Walk Away: "Anyway, I'm going to the playground now. See ya!"
Model this using a scenario from the slides.
4
Practice: Scenario Stations — 15 Mins
Break students into 3-person teams. Distribute Power Plays Scenario Cards and the Power Play Team Worksheet . Teams must work together to create a full "No" Sandwich (Validation, Boundary, and Pivot) for each of the four scenarios provided on the cards.
5
Reflection & Wrap-Up — 10 Mins
Choose one of the following methods for closure:
Pressure Points Slides Pressure Points
How to handle the "squeeze" and stay true to YOU.
Friend A
Friend B
YOU
The Squeeze
Ever felt like friends are pulling you in opposite directions?
What is "The Squeeze"?
Triangulation
When two friends are fighting and they try to make YOU pick a side.
Peer Pressure
When people your age try to get you to do something you're not comfortable with.
F1
YOU
F2
Stuck In The Middle
Listen to Your Body
Your body often knows you're uncomfortable before your brain does!
Hot Face
Feeling flushed or warm all of a sudden.
Tippy Tummy
Butterflies or a "tight" feeling in your stomach.
Fidgety Hands
Shaky hands or picking at your clothes.
The "No" Sandwich
The most respectful way to set a boundary.
1. THE BREAD (Validation)
"I like hanging out with you, but..."
2. THE FILLING (The "No")
"I'm not going to pick sides in this argument."
3. THE BREAD (The Pivot)
"Anyway, I'm going to the playground now. See ya!"
Power Move: Walk Away
1
Don't Ask Permission: You don't need their "OK" to leave a bad situation.
2
Keep it Moving: Once you say your "Pivot," actually move your feet and go.
3
Broken Record: If they push, just repeat your boundary and keep walking.
Why it works
It shows you are in control of your own body and your own choices. It takes you out of the "Squeeze" immediately.
Your Turn!
"Let's go hide Jay's backpack in the closet. It'll be so funny! Come on, don't be a chicken."
Challenge:
How would you use the "No" Sandwich?
Power Play Team Worksheet Space Power Play Teams
Scenario Collaboration Worksheet
Member 1:
Member 2:
Member 3:
Team Goal: Work together to build a "No" Sandwich for each scenario.
Scenario 1: The Pick-A-Side
"Jenna and Blake are fighting. Jenna tells you, 'If you're really my friend, you'll stop sitting with Blake at lunch.' Blake is your friend too."
The Bread (Validation)
The Filling (The Boundary)
The Bread (The Pivot)
Scenario 2: The Group Dare
"A group of classmates is laughing and pointing at a younger student. They tell you, 'Go tell him he's not allowed on this part of the playground!'"
The Bread (Validation)
The Filling (The Boundary)
The Bread (The Pivot)
Scenario 3: The Secret Keep
"Your friend tells you they broke a classroom tablet by accident. They say, 'Don't tell anyone! If the teacher asks, say we were both at recess the whole time.'"
The Bread (Validation)
The Filling (The Boundary)
The Bread (The Pivot)
Scenario 4: The Exclusion Zone
"Your best friend says, 'Don't invite Brenda to your birthday party. Nobody likes her anyway.' You actually think Brenda is pretty cool."
The Bread (Validation)
The Filling (The Boundary)
The Bread (The Pivot)
Neutral Ground • Power Play Team Practice
Power Plays Scenario Cards Power Plays
Scenario Cards
Scenario 1: Pick-A-Side
"Jenna and Blake are fighting. Jenna tells you, 'If you're really my friend, you'll stop sitting with Blake at lunch.' Blake is your friend too."
Challenge:
Use the "No" Sandwich to stay neutral.
Scenario 2: Group Dare
"A group of classmates is laughing and pointing at a younger student. They tell you, 'Go tell him he's not allowed on this part of the playground!'"
Challenge:
Practice the "Walk Away" move immediately after saying no.
Scenario 3: Secret Keep
"Your friend tells you they broke a classroom tablet by accident. They say, 'Don't tell anyone! If the teacher asks, say we were both at recess the whole time.'"
Challenge:
How do you say no without being a "tattle-tale"?
Scenario 4: Exclusion
"Your best friend says, 'Don't invite Brenda to your birthday party. Nobody likes her anyway.' You actually think Brenda is pretty cool."
Challenge:
Practice being a "Broken Record" if they keep pushing.
Instructions: Cut these cards out for student groups to use during the role-play activity.
