Introduction

Developing effective communication skills is essential for middle school students as they navigate social situations and build relationships. One important aspect of communication is understanding the difference between conversation drivers and conversation stoppers. Conversation drivers are strategies that help initiate or maintain a conversation, while conversation stoppers are actions that end a conversation prematurely. In this blog post, we will explore a fun, interactive activity called Conversation Drivers and Stoppers Bingo that teaches students to recognize and practice using conversation drivers while avoiding conversation stoppers.

No-Prep Activity

Conversation Drivers and Stoppers Bingo is a simple and engaging activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator. To play, start by creating a standard bingo board with a 5×5 grid for each student. In each square, write a conversation driver or stopper. Examples of conversation drivers include:

• Asking open-ended questions
• Sharing a personal experience
• Offering a compliment

Examples of conversation stoppers include:

• Not listening
• Interrupting
• Responding with one-word answers

Once the boards are ready, have students pair up and take turns initiating a conversation using a conversation driver from their board. The other student will respond using either a conversation driver or stopper. When a student identifies the conversation driver or stopper used, they mark it off on their bingo board. The first student to get four drivers or stoppers in a row—up, down, across, or diagonal—wins the game.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to use conversation drivers instead of conversation stoppers?
2. What are some strategies you can use to keep a conversation going when faced with a conversation stopper?
3. How can practicing conversation drivers help improve relationships with peers?
4. Can you think of a time when using a conversation driver helped you make a new friend or resolve a conflict?
5. Why is it important to be aware of your body language and tone of voice when engaging in a conversation?

Related Skills

Beyond conversation drivers and stoppers, there are other essential communication skills for students to learn. These include:

• Active listening
• Empathy and understanding
• Nonverbal communication
• Conflict resolution
• Assertiveness

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about Conversation Drivers and Stoppers Bingo, it’s time to explore more engaging activities to develop social-emotional learning skills in your students. Sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech to access a variety of resources designed to help students improve their communication abilities and enhance their relationships with peers.