Introduction

In social-emotional learning, one essential skill is making connected comments during conversations. This skill enables students to engage in meaningful and effective communication, fostering positive relationships with their peers. When students make connected comments, they link their statements to the topic being discussed, ensuring that everyone stays on the same page and the conversation flows smoothly. This blog post will explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills for teaching middle school students how to make connected comments in their conversations.

No-Prep Activity

A simple yet effective no-prep activity to teach middle school students the skill of making connected comments is called “Topic Twister.” This activity requires no additional materials or preparation from the educator.

1. Begin by forming small groups of 4-5 students.
2. Ask each group to pick a topic for their conversation. This can be anything from hobbies, movies, sports, or current events.
3. Each student within the group takes turns making a connected comment or asking a question related to the chosen topic.
4. After a few minutes, instruct the groups to switch to a new topic and repeat the process.
5. Finally, bring the class back together and discuss the experience, focusing on the importance of making connected comments and the impact it had on the flow of the conversation.

This activity helps students practice making connected comments in a fun and engaging manner while also promoting active listening and participation in group conversations.

Discussion Questions

Here are some discussion questions to further explore the concept of making connected comments with your students:

1. Why is it important to make connected comments during a conversation?
2. How does making connected comments contribute to building positive relationships with others?
3. What challenges might you face when trying to make connected comments in a conversation? How can you overcome these challenges?
4. Can you think of a situation where making connected comments was particularly helpful or important? Share your experience.
5. How can you practice making connected comments outside of the classroom?

Related Skills

In addition to making connected comments, there are other relevant social-emotional learning skills that can benefit middle school students. Here are a few examples:

• Active Listening: Paying close attention to what others are saying, making eye contact, and displaying appropriate body language.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, allowing for more meaningful connections.
• Respectful Communication: Expressing thoughts and opinions in a polite and considerate manner, respecting the perspectives of others.
• Conflict Resolution: Addressing disagreements and misunderstandings in a constructive manner, promoting a positive and healthy environment.

Next Steps

Teaching middle school students to make connected comments is an important step in fostering effective communication and promoting social-emotional learning. If you’re interested in exploring this skill further and accessing additional resources, sign up for free samples of skill-based materials and other resources at Everyday Speech. By incorporating these strategies into your classroom, you’ll provide your students with the tools they need to build positive relationships and succeed in their social interactions.