Introduction

Goodbye etiquette is an essential social skill that helps elementary students build strong relationships and communicate effectively with their peers. This blog post presents a no-prep activity for educators to teach students the proper way to say goodbye, along with discussion questions and related skills. By implementing these strategies, educators can foster a supportive learning environment that promotes social-emotional learning principles.

No-Prep Activity

This activity is designed to teach students the proper way to say goodbye without requiring any preparation or materials. It can be easily incorporated into the classroom routine and adapted to suit various age groups.

1. Ask the students to form pairs or small groups.
2. Explain the four key components of saying goodbye: facing the person, making eye contact, saying “Bye,” and waiting for a response before walking away.
3. Have each student practice the goodbye etiquette with their partner or group members. Encourage them to take turns being the person saying goodbye and the person responding.
4. As students practice, walk around the room and offer guidance and feedback to ensure they are following the proper etiquette.
5. After the activity, gather the class together and discuss the importance of saying goodbye properly and how it helps build positive relationships with others.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions to stimulate further discussions about the importance of goodbye etiquette and its role in social-emotional learning:

1. Why is it important to face the person and make eye contact when saying goodbye?
2. How does waiting for a response before walking away show respect and consideration for the other person?
3. Can you think of a time when someone said goodbye to you in a way that made you feel valued and respected? How did it make you feel?
4. What other social situations require a similar level of etiquette and consideration?
5. How can practicing proper goodbye etiquette help you develop stronger relationships with your peers?

Related Skills

In addition to goodbye etiquette, there are other essential social-emotional skills that can help elementary students build positive relationships and communicate effectively:

• Active Listening: Students should learn to listen attentively and respond appropriately to their peers during conversations.
• Empathy: Encourage students to understand and share the feelings of others, promoting a supportive learning environment.
• Respect: Teach students the importance of treating others with kindness and consideration, regardless of their differences.
• Conflict Resolution: Help students develop strategies to peacefully resolve disagreements and maintain positive relationships.

Next Steps

Now that you have an understanding of how to teach goodbye etiquette and its importance in social-emotional learning, we encourage you to explore more resources and activities to support your students’ development. Sign up for free samples of our skill-building materials and discover additional strategies to help your students grow both academically and emotionally.