Young students often think of conversation as just taking turns talking, but there’s more to it. Learning how to truly share a conversation means balancing speaking and listening, showing interest in others, and responding in ways that keep the interaction going.

This lesson focuses on five foundational conversation skills that help students become better conversational partners: taking turns, staying on topic, using body language, asking questions, and listening actively. These are practical skills that help students build peer relationships and participate more effectively in classroom settings.

In this post, you’ll find:

• A breakdown of each core skill
• A step-by-step lesson plan for classroom use
• A printable worksheet to reinforce key ideas
• Tips for reinforcing the skills across your school day

Why Teaching Conversation Sharing Matters

In early elementary grades, many students need support understanding that conversation is a two-way interaction. Some may dominate a discussion, while others stay silent unless prompted. Others may interrupt, change the topic abruptly, or focus only on their own experiences.

Teaching students how to share a conversation helps them:

• Recognize and respect conversational turns
• Express interest in others
• Participate more meaningfully in group settings
• Build empathy and strengthen peer relationships

These skills don’t always develop on their own. Structured instruction, visual cues, and regular modeling can help students build confidence and awareness in how they engage with others.

What the Conversation Sharing Worksheet Teaches

The Sharing a Conversation worksheet provides a visual reminder of five key skills:

1. Taking Turns – Both speaking and listening are important.
2. Staying on Topic – Conversations work best when everyone focuses on the same subject.
3. Using Body Language – Eye contact, posture, and facial expressions show interest.
4. Asking Questions – Open-ended questions help keep the conversation going.
5. Listening Actively – Responding and showing curiosity helps create real connection.

Each skill is represented with simple, student-friendly visuals that can be cut out, discussed, or posted as conversation cues in the classroom.

Lesson Plan: Sharing a Conversation

Grade Level: Early Elementary

Duration: 30–40 minutes

Materials Needed:

• Sharing a Conversation worksheet
• Chart paper or whiteboard
• Optional: sentence starters, role-play cards

Step 1: Introduce the Concept (5 minutes)

Start by asking:

• “What is a conversation?”
• “How do we know if it’s a good one?”

Use relatable examples:

• Talking with a friend about your favorite game
• Telling a parent about something that happened at school
• Asking a question and hearing the answer

Then explain: “Conversations are more than just talking. We also need to listen, ask questions, and show we’re interested in what the other person is saying.”

Write “Sharing a Conversation” at the top of your chart paper or board and introduce the idea that good conversations feel balanced and connected.

Step 2: Teach the Five Key Skills (10–12 minutes)

Introduce each skill one at a time. For each one:

1. Define it in simple terms
2. Model what it looks and sounds like
3. Ask students to share or act out examples

Skill 1: Taking Turns

“One person talks, the other listens. Then you switch.”

Skill 2: Staying on Topic

“If someone says they like dogs, you don’t start talking about pizza.”

Skill 3: Using Body Language

“Face the person. Nod your head. Make eye contact. That shows you care.”

Skill 4: Asking Questions

“Questions like ‘What do you like about that?’ help keep the conversation going.”

Skill 5: Listening Actively

“You can say things like ‘really?’ or ‘that’s cool!’ to show you’re paying attention.”

As you go, write short examples or sentence frames on the board. You might use color-coded visuals for each skill to support visual learners.

Step 3: Use the Worksheet (10–15 minutes)

Pass out the Sharing a Conversation worksheet and explain how each picture matches a conversation skill. Have students cut out the visuals and sort them, or create a small “conversation strategy poster” they can keep at their desks.

Options for using the worksheet:

• Whole class discussion: Go over each card and ask, “What’s happening here?”
• Small group sort: Students work together to match visuals to skills
• Anchor chart building: Glue student examples to a classroom poster for future reference

Prompt students to give examples of when they’ve used (or could use) each skill during recess, partner work, or morning meeting.

Step 4: Role-Play and Peer Practice (8–10 minutes)

Divide students into pairs and give each pair a conversation starter card (e.g., “What’s your favorite animal?” or “What do you like to do on the weekend?”).

Their goal is to:

• Take turns
• Stay on topic
• Use at least one question and one nonverbal cue

After 1–2 minutes of conversation, reflect together:

• “What skills did you use?”
• “What helped the conversation keep going?”
• “What made it hard to share the conversation?”

Encourage peer feedback using a visual checklist or thumbs up/down system.

Reinforcing Conversation Sharing Skills Across the Day

The best way to build conversation habits is to embed them in natural routines. Here’s how to keep the five core strategies visible and active in your classroom:

• During morning meeting: Prompt students to use questions and eye contact when sharing
• In partner work: Ask students to say one thing and then ask one thing
• At dismissal: Challenge students to use a conversation starter with someone in line
• During read-alouds: Pause and ask, “What would you say back to that character?”
• On your classroom wall: Post the five visuals as a reminder for group time

You can also assign “conversation buddies” for the week and track how many successful shared conversations they log using stickers, checklists, or simple reflection slips.

Building Real Conversation Habits

When students learn how to share a conversation, they become stronger listeners, more thoughtful speakers, and more confident in how they engage with peers. These skills support both academic learning and social connection.

Start with one or two skills and revisit them during class meetings, small group work, and partner activities. With consistent modeling and feedback, students will begin to use these strategies naturally across the day.