Introduction
As educators, we understand the importance of teaching our students effective communication skills. One key aspect of communication, especially for middle school students, is the ability to engage with others by discussing topics of mutual interest. This blog post will explore a simple, no-prep activity to help students recognize and discuss topics that others enjoy, along with discussion questions and related skills to further enhance their social-emotional learning.
No-Prep Activity: Guess My Interest
This activity will help students practice identifying clues about others’ interests and using those clues to initiate conversations. To begin, have students pair up and sit facing each other. Each student should think of a topic they enjoy and come up with three clues related to that interest. The clues can be verbal, such as mentioning a favorite character, or non-verbal, like miming an action associated with the interest. Students will then take turns sharing their clues with their partner, who will try to guess the interest based on the clues provided.
After each student has had a chance to guess their partner’s interest, encourage them to discuss the topic further by asking questions and sharing experiences. This will help students practice engaging in conversations that focus on the interests of others, rather than just their own.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to talk about topics that interest the person you are conversing with? How does this help build relationships and connections with others?
- What are some strategies you can use to identify clues about someone’s interests during a conversation?
- How can you practice actively listening to others in order to better understand their interests and engage in meaningful conversations?
- Can you think of a time when you were part of a conversation that focused on your interests? How did it make you feel?
- What challenges might you face when trying to focus on others’ interests during a conversation, and how can you overcome them?
Related Skills
Beyond learning to focus on others’ interests in conversations, there are several other social-emotional skills that can enhance students’ ability to communicate effectively and build strong relationships. Some of these skills include:
- Active Listening: Encourage students to practice active listening by giving their full attention to the speaker, asking clarifying questions, and summarizing what they’ve heard to ensure understanding.
- Empathy: Teach students to put themselves in others’ shoes and consider their feelings and perspectives, which can help them connect more deeply in conversations.
- Body Language: Help students become more aware of their own body language and the non-verbal cues of others to enhance their communication skills.
- Conflict Resolution: Equip students with strategies to handle disagreements and conflicts in a respectful and constructive manner, which can lead to more positive interactions with their peers.
Next Steps
Now that you have a better understanding of how to teach middle school students to focus on others’ interests in conversations, you may be interested in exploring more activities and resources to continue building their social-emotional skills. We encourage you to sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech, which offers a wide range of resources designed to help educators like you support the social-emotional growth of their students.
