Introduction

As educators, we understand the importance of teaching our students not only academic skills but also essential life skills. One such life skill is the art of conversation. Engaging in meaningful conversations is a valuable ability that helps students build relationships, develop empathy, and learn to communicate effectively. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity for teaching the art of conversation and discuss related Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) skills that can help middle school students thrive in various social situations.

No-Prep Activity: Conversation Ping-Pong

Conversation Ping-Pong is a simple, no-prep activity that requires no materials or advanced preparation from the educator. This activity helps students practice taking turns in a conversation, similar to the example provided in the prompt. Here’s how it works:

1. Pair students up, and have them sit facing one another.
2. Explain that they will practice having a conversation by taking turns speaking, like a game of ping-pong.
3. Provide a conversation starter, such as “What are your plans for the weekend?” or “What’s your favorite hobby?”
4. Give students 5-10 minutes to engage in their conversations, ensuring they take turns speaking and responding.
5. After the activity, gather the class together and debrief the experience. Discuss the importance of active listening, asking follow-up questions, and showing interest in the other person’s responses.

Discussion Questions

Use these discussion questions to stimulate further conversations about the activity and the importance of effective communication:

1. How did it feel to take turns in the conversation? Did you find it challenging or natural?
2. What strategies did you use to ensure you were actively listening to your partner?
3. Why is it important to give the other person a chance to speak in a conversation?
4. How can taking turns in a conversation help build stronger relationships?
5. Can you think of a situation where not taking turns in a conversation might lead to misunderstandings or conflicts?

Related Skills

Beyond the art of conversation, there are several other SEL skills that can help students succeed in social situations. Some of these skills include:

• Active Listening: Paying full attention to the speaker, making eye contact, and using verbal and non-verbal cues to show understanding.
• Empathy: Putting oneself in another’s shoes and understanding their feelings and perspectives.
• Conflict Resolution: Identifying and resolving disagreements in a respectful and constructive manner.
• Assertiveness: Expressing one’s thoughts, feelings, and needs in a clear, respectful, and confident manner.

Next Steps

Teaching the art of conversation is just one aspect of Social-Emotional Learning that can help middle school students develop essential life skills. If you’re interested in exploring more SEL activities and resources, we invite you to sign up for free samples of our skill-building materials at Everyday Speech. You’ll find a wealth of resources designed to help you incorporate SEL principles into your classroom and empower your students to succeed in their social interactions.