Introduction

The ability to express opinions and respect the differences in others is a valuable skill for middle school students to develop. This skill not only fosters open communication but also helps students build strong relationships and create a positive learning environment. In this blog post, we will discuss a no-prep activity that educators can use to help their students practice expressing their opinions and respecting the opinions of others. Additionally, we will provide discussion questions designed to stimulate further conversations and explore related skills that can be developed alongside this ability.

No-Prep Activity: Favorite Things Debate

This activity is designed to help students practice expressing their opinions and respecting the opinions of others without requiring any preparation or materials from the educator. To begin, divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students. Assign each group a topic, such as favorite season, favorite sport, or favorite type of music. Students will take turns sharing their opinions on the topic, explaining why they feel that way, and actively listening to their peers as they share their own opinions.

As students discuss their favorite things, encourage them to use phrases like “I think,” “I feel,” or “In my opinion” to express their thoughts. Remind them that it is okay to have different opinions and that they should respect and appreciate the differences in their peers. After each group has had a chance to discuss their assigned topic, bring the class back together and ask for volunteers to share what they discussed and how they respected and appreciated the differing opinions in their group.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to express your opinion and respect the opinions of others?
2. How does respecting others’ opinions contribute to a positive learning environment?
3. What challenges might you face when expressing your opinion or respecting someone else’s opinion? How can you overcome these challenges?
4. Can you think of a time when you disagreed with someone’s opinion but still respected their perspective? How did that make you feel?
5. How can you apply the skills practiced in this activity to other situations in your life?

Related Skills

Developing the ability to express opinions and respect differences is just one aspect of building strong communication and relationship skills. Other related skills that students can benefit from include:

• Active listening: This skill involves truly hearing and understanding what someone else is saying, asking clarifying questions, and providing feedback to show that you are engaged in the conversation.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others is essential for building strong relationships and fostering a supportive learning environment.
• Conflict resolution: Learning how to navigate disagreements and find mutually agreeable solutions is a crucial skill for students to develop in order to maintain positive relationships and a healthy learning environment.
• Assertiveness: Being able to confidently express one’s thoughts and feelings while also respecting the thoughts and feelings of others is an important aspect of effective communication.

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about this no-prep activity and its benefits, we encourage you to try it out with your middle school students and witness the positive impact it can have on their communication and relationship skills. To explore more activities and resources to support your students’ social-emotional learning, sign up for free sample materials from Everyday Speech. These resources can help you further develop your students’ abilities to express opinions, respect differences, and build strong relationships with their peers.