Introduction
Forming relationships is essential for our emotional and mental well-being. In high school, students often form various types of relationships, including acquaintances. Acquaintances are individuals we know casually but don’t interact with regularly outside of school. These relationships provide a sense of connection and comfort without requiring a significant time commitment or personal disclosure. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of acquaintances and provide a no-prep activity for educators to help students build connections in their classes.
No-Prep Activity: The Name Game
This activity encourages students to learn each other’s names and find commonalities between them. It requires no preparation or materials and can be easily adapted to any class size.
- Ask students to stand in a circle. If the class is large, divide them into smaller groups.
- One student starts by saying their name and one thing they like (e.g., “I’m Alex, and I like soccer”).
- The next student repeats the first student’s name and thing they like, followed by their own name and thing they like (e.g., “Alex likes soccer. I’m Brianna, and I like painting”).
- Continue around the circle with each student adding their name and thing they like, while also repeating the names and interests of the students before them.
- After the last student has gone, challenge the class to recite the names and interests of everyone in the circle.
This activity helps students become acquainted with their classmates and discover shared interests, which can lay the foundation for future friendships or partnerships in group projects.
Discussion Questions
- Why are acquaintances important in a high school setting?
- What are some ways to maintain acquaintances without investing too much time or energy?
- How can acquaintances turn into friends or close friends over time?
- What are the benefits of having acquaintances in different social circles or classes?
- How can forming acquaintances help us feel connected and prevent loneliness?
Related Skills
Developing acquaintances is just one aspect of building strong social connections in high school. Other related skills that can enhance students’ social-emotional learning include:
- Active listening: Paying attention to others and responding empathetically.
- Effective communication: Expressing thoughts and feelings clearly and respectfully.
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the emotions of others.
- Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements in a constructive manner.
- Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve a common goal.
Next Steps
Helping students form acquaintances is a valuable skill that can improve their social-emotional well-being and academic success. To explore more activities and resources for teaching social-emotional skills, sign up for free samples at Everyday Speech. You’ll gain access to a variety of materials designed to support educators in fostering positive relationships and social-emotional growth among high school students.
