Introduction
Background Brief is a game designed to help students in special education settings improve their storytelling skills. By focusing on the essential background information needed in a story, students can learn to communicate more effectively, ensuring their listeners understand the context of their narrative. This blog post will introduce you to the game, provide a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills. Additionally, we’ll guide you on how to access free sample materials to further support your students’ learning.
No-Prep Activity
To play Background Brief, the educator acts as the moderator, presenting a series of short stories to the students. After each story, students must determine if any background information is missing and, if so, identify the missing element(s). The game emphasizes the importance of including the Who, What, Where, and When in a story. Here is a step-by-step guide for the activity:
- Divide the students into small groups or pairs.
- Present a short story to the class (either orally, in writing, or through a video).
- Have the students discuss within their groups or pairs whether the story includes all the necessary background information (Who, What, Where, and When).
- Ask each group or pair to share their findings, highlighting any missing information and discussing how it could have been included in the story.
- Repeat the process with additional stories, encouraging students to actively listen and identify missing background information.
Discussion Questions
- How did you feel when you noticed that a story was missing background information? How did it affect your understanding of the story?
- Why is it important to include the Who, What, Where, and When in a story?
- Can you think of a time when you told a story that was missing background information? What happened, and how did it affect the listener’s understanding?
- What strategies can you use to ensure you include all the necessary background information when telling a story?
- How can improving your storytelling skills help you in your everyday life?
Related Skills
Background Brief is just one aspect of effective storytelling and communication. Other related skills that can support students in special education settings include:
- Active listening: Enhancing students’ ability to listen attentively and understand the messages being conveyed.
- Nonverbal communication: Teaching students to recognize and interpret body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice.
- Empathy: Helping students develop the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, fostering stronger connections.
- Problem-solving: Encouraging students to think critically and find solutions to challenges they may encounter in social situations.
Next Steps
If you’re interested in trying Background Brief and other activities that support social-emotional learning for students in special education, we invite you to sign up for free sample materials. Access a variety of resources designed to help your students develop essential communication and interpersonal skills by visiting Everyday Speech’s Sample Materials.
