Introduction

In the world of social-emotional learning, conversation skills play a crucial role in helping students build strong relationships and engage in meaningful discussions. One of the key aspects of conversation skills is the ability to drive a conversation forward and avoid stopping it prematurely. This blog post introduces an engaging activity called “Two Sides” that focuses on Conversation Drivers and Conversation Stoppers. By participating in this activity, educators can help their special education students to better understand the dynamics of conversation and learn how to keep conversations moving in the right direction.

No-Prep Activity: Two Sides

Two Sides is a simple and engaging activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator. Here’s how it works:

1. Divide your students into pairs or small groups.
2. Present a conversation scenario, like the one provided earlier in the prompt, where two characters are discussing a topic (e.g., a movie, a recent event, or a shared experience).
3. Ask your students to pay close attention to one of the characters in the scenario. Is their behavior a Conversation Driver or Conversation Stopper? Why?
4. After analyzing the scenario, have your students discuss their observations with their partner or group members, focusing on the character’s actions and how they contributed to the conversation.
5. Encourage students to share their insights with the class, and facilitate a discussion about the importance of Conversation Drivers and how to avoid Conversation Stoppers.

Discussion Questions

Here are some questions to stimulate further discussions among your students:

1. What are some examples of Conversation Drivers that you have used in your own conversations? How did they help to keep the conversation going?
2. Can you think of a time when you unintentionally used a Conversation Stopper? What could you have done differently to keep the conversation moving in the right direction?
3. Why is it important to show interest in what the other person is saying during a conversation? How can we demonstrate that we are actively listening and engaged?
4. How can we encourage others to participate in a conversation, especially if they seem hesitant or shy?
5. What strategies can we use to bring a conversation to a natural and appropriate close, instead of stopping it abruptly?

Related Skills

Beyond Conversation Drivers and Conversation Stoppers, there are several other social-emotional learning skills that can help students improve their conversation abilities. Some of these skills include:

• Active Listening: Paying close attention to what the other person is saying and responding thoughtfully.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others during a conversation.
• Body Language: Using appropriate facial expressions, gestures, and posture to convey interest and engagement.
• Asking Open-Ended Questions: Encouraging deeper discussions by asking questions that require more than a simple “yes” or “no” answer.
• Respecting Boundaries: Recognizing and respecting the personal boundaries and comfort levels of others during a conversation.

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about the Two Sides activity and its potential benefits for your special education students, it’s time to give it a try in your classroom! To further support your students’ social-emotional learning journey, consider exploring additional resources and activities. Sign up for free samples of the discussed skill and others to enhance your students’ conversation skills and overall social-emotional development.