Introduction

Communication is an essential skill that students need to develop for success in academics, relationships, and their future careers. One important aspect of effective communication is providing sufficient background information when sharing stories or experiences. The Background Brief game is designed to help high school students improve their communication skills by focusing on the importance of providing complete background information in conversations.

No-Prep Activity: Background Brief Game

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. All you need is a classroom setting and a group of students willing to participate. The game is simple: students take turns sharing a story or experience, and their peers must identify if any background information is missing. The objective is to help students recognize the importance of providing clear and complete information when communicating with others.

1. Divide the students into small groups.
2. Have each student take turns sharing a brief story or experience with their group.
3. After the student shares their story, the rest of the group should identify if any background information is missing, such as the who, what, where, or when.
4. Discuss as a group how the missing information affected their understanding of the story and how it could be improved.
5. Repeat the process, allowing each student to share a story and receive feedback from their peers.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to provide complete background information when sharing a story or experience?
2. How does missing background information impact our understanding of a story or message?
3. What strategies can you use to make sure you are providing sufficient background information when communicating with others?
4. Can you think of a time when you were confused by a story or message because of missing information? How did you handle the situation?
5. How can improving our communication skills help us in our relationships and future careers?

Related Skills

Besides providing complete background information, there are other essential communication skills that students should develop. These skills include:

• Active listening
• Empathy and understanding
• Nonverbal communication
• Conflict resolution
• Public speaking and presentation

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about the Background Brief game and its benefits for high school students, it’s time to explore more social-emotional learning opportunities. To get started, sign up for free samples of skill-building activities and resources from Everyday Speech. These materials will help you support your students’ social-emotional development and improve their communication skills, setting them up for success in all areas of life.