Introduction

For students in special education, working with others can be both challenging and rewarding. Partnering in class promotes collaboration, active listening, and decision-making skills. It also teaches students the importance of considering other people’s feelings and ideas. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity for educators to facilitate partnering in class, discussion questions to stimulate further conversations, and other related skills that can benefit students in special education.

No-Prep Activity: The Two-Minute Brainstorm

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator and can be easily incorporated into any lesson. The goal of the Two-Minute Brainstorm is to encourage students to share their thoughts and ideas with their partners in a short, focused timeframe.

1. Pair students up and give them a topic or problem related to the day’s lesson.
2. Ask the partners to discuss their ideas and thoughts on the topic for two minutes.
3. Encourage the students to listen actively to their partner and build on each other’s ideas.
4. After two minutes, ask the pairs to share their thoughts and insights with the class.

This activity promotes active listening, collaboration, and respect for other people’s opinions, fostering social-emotional learning in the classroom.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions to stimulate further discussions about partnering in class and social-emotional learning:

1. How did it feel to work with a partner during the Two-Minute Brainstorm activity? What were some challenges and benefits?
2. Why is it important to listen to our partners and consider their feelings when collaborating in class?
3. Can you think of a time when you had to make a decision with a partner or group? How did you come to a consensus?
4. How can working with a partner help us develop empathy and understanding for others?
5. What strategies can we use to improve our collaboration and communication skills when working with partners in class?

Related Skills

Working with a partner in class can help students develop a range of social-emotional learning skills, including:

• Active listening: Paying attention to and understanding what others are saying, and responding thoughtfully.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with others to achieve a common goal.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
• Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements and finding mutually acceptable solutions.
• Flexibility: Adapting to new situations and being open to changing plans when necessary.

Next Steps

Encouraging students to work with partners in class can have a significant impact on their social-emotional learning and overall well-being. To support your students’ growth in these essential life skills, sign up for free sample materials from Everyday Speech, including resources for partnering in class and other valuable social-emotional learning activities.