Introduction
Communication is a vital skill for students to develop, as it not only helps in their academic success but also in their personal and social lives. One important aspect of communication is the ability to drive conversations forward. This means making comments, asking questions, and giving compliments that engage others and keep conversations flowing. In this blog post, we will explore an easy, no-prep activity and discussion questions that can help elementary students practice driving conversations forward, without asking obvious questions or repeating information they already have.
No-Prep Activity
This activity, called “Keep the Conversation Going,” requires no materials or preparation from the educator. It can be done in pairs or small groups. Here’s how it works:
- Divide the students into pairs or small groups.
- Ask one student to start a conversation by making a statement or asking a question.
- Have the next student respond to the statement or question and then add a comment, question, or compliment that drives the conversation forward.
- Continue this process, with each student taking turns to contribute to the conversation and drive it forward.
- Encourage students to pay attention to the information shared by their peers and avoid asking obvious questions or repeating known information.
This activity helps students practice listening actively, responding appropriately, and thinking of ways to keep the conversation engaging and moving forward.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to drive conversations forward instead of asking obvious questions or repeating information?
- Can you think of a time when you were in a conversation that didn’t move forward? How did it make you feel?
- What strategies can you use to come up with engaging questions or comments that drive a conversation forward?
- How can active listening help you in driving conversations forward?
- Why is it important to practice these skills in a safe and supportive environment, like a classroom?
Related Skills
Developing the ability to drive conversations forward is closely related to other important social-emotional learning skills, such as:
- Active listening
- Empathy and understanding others’ feelings
- Assertiveness and expressing one’s own thoughts and feelings
- Respecting others’ opinions and perspectives
- Conflict resolution and problem-solving
By practicing these skills in combination, students can become more effective communicators and develop stronger relationships with their peers.
Next Steps
Now that you have learned about driving conversations forward and explored a no-prep activity and discussion questions, it’s time to put these strategies into practice with your students. To access free samples of this skill and others related to social-emotional learning, visit Everyday Speech’s sample materials page. These resources can help you further support your students in developing strong communication skills and fostering positive relationships with their peers.
