Introduction

Smooth conversations are crucial for building strong social connections. Just like a surfer rides waves, we need to learn how to navigate conversations by transitioning from one topic to another with ease. This blog post will discuss an engaging activity to help high school students practice this essential skill, along with discussion questions to deepen their understanding and related skills to explore further. By the end of this post, educators will have a valuable resource to help their students develop better conversation skills.

No-Prep Activity: Topic Wave Relay

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator and is perfect for high school students. The goal is to help them understand the importance of smoothly transitioning between conversation topics.

1. Divide students into groups of 4-6.
2. Have each group sit in a circle.
3. Assign a topic to each group, such as sports, movies, or vacations.
4. One student starts the conversation by making a statement or asking a question related to the assigned topic.
5. Students take turns responding to the previous statement or question, ensuring that they stay on the assigned topic.
6. After a few minutes, the educator calls out “new wave,” signaling the students to smoothly transition to a new topic.
7. The activity continues with students practicing transitions between topics until the educator calls out “end wave.”

This activity helps students practice staying on a topic and transitioning smoothly to a new one, just like a surfer riding waves. By the end of the activity, students will have a better understanding of how to navigate conversations effectively.

Discussion Questions

• Why is it essential to wait for the right moment to transition between topics in a conversation?
• What strategies can you use to ensure smooth transitions between conversation topics?
• How do you know when it’s time to move on to a new topic in a conversation?
• What are some challenges you face when trying to smoothly transition between topics?
• How can you support others in a conversation when they struggle with changing topics?

Related Skills

In addition to learning how to smoothly transition between conversation topics, students can also benefit from developing other related social-emotional skills, such as:

• Active listening: Paying attention and showing understanding while others are speaking.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing others’ feelings and emotions.
• Non-verbal communication: Using body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice to convey messages.
• Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements and finding solutions that work for everyone involved.
• Assertiveness: Expressing oneself confidently and respectfully in conversations.

Next Steps

Now that you have a better understanding of how to teach students to smoothly transition between conversation topics, it’s time to put these skills into practice. To help you get started, visit Everyday Speech for free sample materials on this skill and many others. These resources will provide you with engaging activities and lessons to support your students’ social-emotional learning journey.