[ by Jason M. Wallin ]

Background

This is a story that I wrote for a workshop on Social Stories that I presented for colleagues in my school district. I intended it as an example that one might use for kids who might use language literally, and who might be confused by colloquialisms.

Target audience

This story would be most appropriate for older elementary students (or whenever their peers might begin uses such a phrase), who are actively involved in conversations with their peers, and have shown some confusion of sayings such as this. The reading level of this story is probably third grade or so, but could easily be adapted to higher or lower reading levels.

The story

Often, people say things that mean something different that the words might normally mean.

Sometimes, people say, "Save your breath."

They usually say this to someone who is arguing a point.

"Save your breath" means that you can stop arguing, because your arguments are not going to change the other person's mind.