Introduction

Staying on topic during conversations is an essential skill for students in special education. When we are engaged in a discussion, it is crucial to keep our comments related to the subject at hand. Doing so ensures that the conversation flows smoothly and prevents confusion. In this blog post, we will discuss an activity that can help students practice staying on topic, provide discussion questions to further explore the concept, and mention related skills to enhance students’ communication abilities.

No-Prep Activity

To help students practice staying on topic, try the “Topic Train” activity. This exercise requires no preparation or materials from the educator. Here’s how it works:

1. Ask the students to form a circle.
2. Select a student to start the conversation by mentioning a topic.
3. The next student in the circle must contribute a comment that connects to the previous statement and stays on topic.
4. Continue around the circle, with each student making a connecting comment that stays on topic.
5. If a student struggles to stay on topic, pause the activity and discuss the importance of staying on topic and making connecting comments. Then, resume the activity.

This activity helps students practice staying on topic and making connecting comments, while also promoting active listening and collaboration.

Discussion Questions

After completing the “Topic Train” activity, use these questions to stimulate further discussion:

1. Why is it essential to stay on topic during conversations?
2. How does staying on topic contribute to better communication and understanding?
3. What strategies can you use to help yourself stay on topic when speaking with others?
4. How does active listening help us stay on topic in conversations?
5. Can you share an example of when someone didn’t stay on topic in a conversation? How did it affect the discussion?

Related Skills

In addition to staying on topic, the following skills can further enhance students’ communication abilities:

• Active listening: Paying close attention to what others are saying and responding appropriately.
• Nonverbal communication: Using body language, facial expressions, and gestures to convey meaning and emotions.
• Turn-taking: Knowing when it’s your turn to speak and allowing others to have their turn in a conversation.
• Asking questions: Seeking clarification or more information from others to better understand their point of view.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which can help create deeper connections during conversations.

Next Steps

To further support your students in developing their conversation skills, consider signing up for free samples of skill-related materials at Everyday Speech. These resources can help educators create engaging and effective lessons that promote social-emotional learning in their students.