Introduction

Texting is a popular and convenient way for students to communicate with friends and family. However, the nature of text messages can sometimes make it difficult to understand the intended meaning, leading to miscommunications. In this blog post, we will discuss the challenges of understanding text messages and provide a no-prep activity, discussion questions, related skills, and next steps to help educators support students in developing better communication skills.

No-Prep Activity: Emoji Storytelling

This activity requires no preparation or materials and helps students practice understanding text messages by using emojis to convey emotions and context. Divide students into pairs and have them take turns creating a short story using only emojis. The other student must then try to interpret the story and the emotions being conveyed. By practicing this skill, students will become more aware of the importance of context clues and emotional cues when communicating through text messages.

Discussion Questions

• Why is understanding the meaning of text messages sometimes difficult? What are some factors that contribute to miscommunications?
• How can we become better at interpreting text messages and avoiding miscommunications? What strategies can we use?
• What are some examples of miscommunications that you have experienced or witnessed in text messages? How were they resolved?
• How can we support others in our community to develop better communication skills, especially when using electronic means of communication?
• Why is it important to practice empathy and consider the feelings and intentions of others when communicating through text messages?

Related Skills

Beyond understanding text messages, there are other relevant skills that students can benefit from. These include:

• Active Listening: Developing active listening skills helps students better understand the messages being communicated by others.
• Nonverbal Communication: Learning to recognize and interpret nonverbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, can enhance students’ ability to understand the emotions and intentions of others.
• Conflict Resolution: Developing conflict resolution skills can help students address miscommunications and misunderstandings in a constructive manner.
• Empathy: Practicing empathy allows students to better understand the feelings and perspectives of others, which can support more effective communication.

Next Steps

To further support your students in developing strong communication skills and avoiding miscommunications, consider signing up for free samples of related skill-building materials at Everyday Speech. You’ll find a variety of resources designed to support Social-Emotional Learning and help your students become more effective communicators.