Introduction

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is an essential aspect of education that helps students develop vital life skills. One crucial skill is the ability to connect with others through shared interests. This blog post will explore the concept of building connections by identifying and discussing shared interests. This skill is particularly beneficial for middle school students, as it can help them form new friendships and strengthen existing ones.

No-Prep Activity

Here is a simple, no-prep activity that educators can use to help students practice building connections through shared interests:

1. Divide the students into small groups of 3-4.
2. Ask each group to spend a few minutes discussing their hobbies and interests.
3. Encourage the students to listen carefully to their peers and identify any shared interests within their group.
4. Once the students have identified shared interests, ask them to engage in a conversation about those interests. This can include discussing their experiences, favorite aspects, or even planning future activities related to their shared hobbies.
5. After the activity, have a brief class discussion about the importance of shared interests in forming connections and friendships.

This activity requires no materials or preparation and allows students to practice their communication and active listening skills while discovering shared interests.

Discussion Questions

After completing the no-prep activity, facilitate a class discussion with the following questions:

1. Why is it important to find shared interests when building connections with others?
2. What are some strategies you can use to discover someone’s interests and hobbies?
3. How can shared interests help you maintain and strengthen existing friendships?
4. Can you think of a time when a shared interest helped you connect with someone new? Share your experience.
5. What are some challenges you might face when trying to find shared interests with others? How can you overcome these challenges?

Related Skills

In addition to building connections through shared interests, there are several other related SEL skills that can help students form and maintain strong relationships. These skills include:

• Active listening: Paying close attention to what others are saying and responding with empathy and understanding.
• Effective communication: Expressing thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly and respectfully.
• Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements in a constructive manner and finding solutions that benefit all parties involved.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, allowing for deeper connections and stronger relationships.

Next Steps

Teaching students the importance of shared interests and how to build connections through them is a valuable skill they can carry with them throughout their lives. If you’re interested in exploring more resources and activities related to this skill and other SEL skills, we encourage you to sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. These resources can help you incorporate SEL principles into your classroom and support your students’ growth and development.