Introduction

Joining a group is a crucial social skill for elementary students. It is essential to teach them how to join a group without interrupting or coming across as rude. In this blog post, we will discuss an engaging no-prep activity that educators can use to teach students the importance of asking to join a group and making sure it is a good time. We will also provide discussion questions and related skills for further exploration.

No-Prep Activity

This activity, called “Ask to Join,” requires no preparation or materials and can be easily implemented in a classroom setting. Follow these steps:

1. Divide students into small groups of 3-4 members.
2. Ask each group to come up with a simple game or activity they can do together, such as passing a ball, playing rock-paper-scissors, or creating a hand-clapping pattern.
3. Once each group has started their activity, assign one student from each group to be an “observer.” This student will watch how their group members interact and take note of any interruptions or instances where someone tries to join the group without asking.
4. After a few minutes, have the observers share their observations with the entire class, highlighting both positive and negative examples of joining a group.
5. Discuss the importance of asking to join a group and waiting for an appropriate time, emphasizing how it makes others feel respected and included.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to ask before joining a group? How does it make others feel when you do so?
2. What are some examples of good ways to ask to join a group? How can you make sure it is a good time to join?
3. How does it feel when someone interrupts or joins a group without asking? How can we handle such situations?
4. Why is it important to be aware of the feelings of others when joining or participating in a group activity?
5. Can you think of a time when you joined a group respectfully? How did it make you feel? How did others react?

Related Skills

Beyond asking to join a group, there are other relevant social-emotional skills that students can benefit from learning. Some of these skills include:

• Active listening: Paying attention to what others are saying and showing empathy.
• Cooperation: Working together with others to achieve a common goal.
• Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements and finding solutions that satisfy everyone involved.
• Respect: Treating others with kindness and understanding, regardless of differences.
• Self-awareness: Recognizing one’s own feelings, strengths, and weaknesses.

Next Steps

Teaching students how to join a group respectfully is just one aspect of fostering a positive social-emotional learning environment. To explore more activities and resources for teaching social-emotional skills, sign up for free samples at Everyday Speech. These materials can help you further support your students’ growth and development in this crucial area.