The art of conversation is not just about speaking but also about directing and shifting discussions. For middle schoolers, this skill is especially crucial as they enter more mature social and academic settings. As Speech Pathologists, we have the power to equip them with this ability. Let’s dive into the Free Shifting the Topic Interactive Activity – a delightful spinner-based game that teaches students when to stay on topic, change the topic, or delve deeper with a question or comment.
The Importance of Shifting the Topic
Being able to shift a conversation or stay on topic is vital for social adaptability. Middle schoolers are often in situations where they’re required to either delve deeper into a topic or gracefully redirect a conversation. By mastering the art of topic management, students can engage more effectively in group projects, social gatherings, and even challenging situations.
Introducing the Shifting the Topic Interactive Spinner
The cornerstone of our lesson is an intuitive spinner activity, designed to be engaging while also providing tangible learning outcomes. With each spin, students are prompted with one of three actions: stay on the topic, change the topic, or contribute with a topic-related question or comment.
Lesson Plan: Mastering the Art of Conversation Direction
Objective: By the end of the session, students will be able to decide when to stay on a topic, shift it, or delve deeper using questions or comments.
Duration: 25 minutes
- Introduction (5 minutes)
- Engage students in a brief conversation on the importance of topic shifting/surfing.
- Introduce the Free Shifting the Topic Interactive Activity as the tool for today’s lesson.
- Spinner Demonstration (5 minutes)
- Exhibit how the spinner works and explain each of the three prompts.
- Emphasize that there’s no “right” choice but that the objective is to make the conversation flow.
- Activity Engagement (10 minutes)
- Allow students to take turns using the spinner and engaging in conversations based on the prompt they receive.
- Offer real-time feedback, highlighting well-managed shifts or topic-related questions.
- Reflection and Feedback (5 minutes)
- Which prompt did students find easiest? Which was the most challenging?
- Encourage them to use the skill outside the classroom, especially in social situations.
Speech Pathologist’s Role
While the spinner is the tool, the guidance of a speech pathologist is the driving force. It’s vital to ensure students not only follow the spinner’s prompt but also understand the reasoning behind their choices.
Wrapping Up
The Free Shifting the Topic Interactive Activity is more than just a game. It’s a bridge to effective communication and conversation management. As students journey through middle school, the skills acquired from this activity will undoubtedly serve them in countless situations.
Sample Video
Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video-modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here!
Related Blog Posts:
Free Conversation Skills PDF for Middle School
Surfing Conversations: Teaching Smooth Topic Transitions in Class
Smoothly Shifting Topics: Teaching Conversation Skills to Special Education Students
