Introduction

As educators, it is crucial to help high school students develop effective communication skills. One essential aspect of communication is knowing when to “think it” or “say it,” also known as using a filter. This blog post will introduce an engaging no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help educators teach students the importance of filtering their thoughts and words to maintain healthy relationships with their peers and teachers.

No-Prep Activity: Guess What Happens Next

In this activity, educators can use a series of hypothetical situations to help students practice using a filter in communication. The no-prep activity “Guess What Happens Next” involves presenting students with a scenario and offering them three possible outcomes. Students must determine which outcome is the most appropriate based on the concept of using a filter. Here’s an example:

Jane wants to share her opinion about a classmate’s presentation. She thinks the presentation was boring. What should Jane do?

1. Tell her classmate that the presentation was boring.
2. Keep her thoughts to herself and offer constructive feedback instead.
3. Laugh and make fun of the presentation in front of her classmates.

Students should discuss their choices and the reasons behind their decisions. This activity encourages students to consider the consequences of their words and actions and promotes the development of empathy and respect for others.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to use a filter when communicating with others?
2. Can you think of a situation where you should have used a filter but didn’t? How did it affect the people involved?
3. What are some strategies you can use to determine if something should be thought or said out loud?
4. How can using a filter help you build better relationships with your peers and teachers?
5. Why is it essential to consider both the content and the context when deciding whether to think or say something?

Related Skills

Teaching students the art of using a filter in communication is closely related to several other essential social-emotional learning skills, such as:

• Active listening
• Empathy
• Conflict resolution
• Assertiveness
• Respecting others’ boundaries

Developing these skills in conjunction with using a filter will help students become more effective communicators and build stronger relationships.

Next Steps

Now that you’re familiar with the concept of using a filter in communication and have an engaging no-prep activity to use in your classroom, we encourage you to explore more social-emotional learning resources. Sign up for free samples of these resources, including videos, activities, and discussion questions, to help your high school students continue developing their communication skills and other essential life skills.