Introduction

When having conversations, it’s crucial for students to understand the importance of properly starting and ending them. Every conversation has a beginning and an ending, usually initiated by saying “hi” and concluded with “bye.” If students don’t follow these basic conversational norms, they risk confusing or offending their peers. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity for educators to teach high school students the art of starting and ending conversations, discuss related skills, and provide next steps for further learning.

No-Prep Activity: Conversation Relay

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. The goal is to help students practice starting and ending conversations in a fun and engaging manner.

1. Divide the students into two teams and have them line up facing each other.
2. Explain the rules: One student from each team will step forward and engage in a short conversation with their counterpart from the opposing team. The conversation must have a clear beginning and ending.
3. After both students have properly started and ended their conversation, they will return to their team’s line, and the next pair will step forward to begin their conversation.
4. Continue the relay until all students have had a turn. The educator should monitor and provide feedback on the students’ conversational skills.

This activity helps students practice the essential skills of starting and ending conversations while also encouraging teamwork and active listening.

Discussion Questions

After completing the activity, engage students in a discussion by posing the following questions:

1. Why is it important to have a clear beginning and ending in a conversation?
2. How did it feel when someone started or ended the conversation abruptly or without proper etiquette?
3. What strategies can you use to ensure you start and end conversations appropriately?
4. How can starting and ending conversations properly help you build better relationships with your peers and teachers?
5. Can you think of a time when a conversation you had didn’t have a clear beginning or ending? How did that make you feel?

Related Skills

Beyond starting and ending conversations, there are other essential skills students should develop to improve their communication and social interactions. Some of these skills include:

• Active listening: Paying close attention to what others are saying and responding thoughtfully.
• Turn-taking: Waiting for an appropriate moment to speak and not interrupting others during conversations.
• Non-verbal communication: Understanding and using body language, facial expressions, and gestures to convey meaning and emotions.
• Empathy: Recognizing and understanding the feelings of others to foster better connections and relationships.

Next Steps

Teaching high school students the art of starting and ending conversations is a vital aspect of their social-emotional development. To further explore this skill and other related skills, sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. These resources will provide you with additional tools and activities to support your students in developing strong communication and interpersonal abilities.