Introduction

Joining a group conversation can be challenging, particularly for students with special needs. It’s essential to teach them how to approach, engage, and interact with their peers in a manner that is respectful and non-disruptive. This blog post will explore strategies and activities that can help students learn how to join group conversations without interrupting or causing discomfort to others, while also fostering their social-emotional learning.

No-Prep Activity: Observe and Engage

This no-preparation activity is designed to help students practice joining group conversations in a respectful and non-disruptive manner. The activity involves the following steps:

1. Divide the students into small groups and assign each group a conversation topic.
2. One student from each group will be the “observer” and will stand outside the group, watching the conversation unfold.
3. After a few minutes of conversation, the observer should attempt to join the conversation by following these guidelines:
   • Look for an open seat or space in the group.
   • Observe the group’s body language and tone to gauge the appropriate time to join.
   • Wait for a pause in the conversation before speaking.
   • Introduce oneself or ask a relevant question to the topic being discussed.
4. After the observer has successfully joined the conversation, another student takes on the role of the observer and repeats the process.

This activity allows students to practice their observation and communication skills while encouraging them to be mindful of others in a group conversation setting.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to be respectful and non-disruptive when joining a group conversation?
2. What are some signs that a group is open to having someone new join their conversation?
3. How can you ensure that you are not interrupting someone when you join a conversation?
4. What strategies did you find most helpful when trying to join a group conversation during the activity?
5. How can practicing these skills contribute to social-emotional learning and personal growth?

Related Skills

Teaching students how to join group conversations is just one aspect of social-emotional learning. Other relevant skills that can help students develop their social competence and emotional well-being include:

• Active listening
• Empathy and understanding others’ perspectives
• Conflict resolution
• Assertive communication
• Self-awareness and self-regulation

Next Steps

If you’d like to explore more activities and resources designed to help students develop their social-emotional learning skills, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of our materials. To access these resources, please visit Everyday Speech’s sample materials page. By incorporating these tools into your teaching practice, you can support your students in their journey towards effective communication and emotional well-being.