Introduction

Sharing is a fundamental aspect of social interactions. In everyday life, we share various things like games, friends, and even conversations. Teaching students, especially those in special education, the importance of the Conversation Share is crucial for their social development. The Conversation Share is a skill that focuses on sharing the time each person gets to talk during a conversation, ensuring everyone feels included and valued. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help educators effectively teach Conversation Share skills to their students.

No-Prep Activity: The Conversation Ball

The Conversation Ball is an engaging, no-prep activity that helps students practice Conversation Share skills. All you need is a soft ball or any small object that can be safely tossed between students. Here’s how to conduct the activity:

1. Have the students sit in a circle.
2. Explain the rules: When a student has the ball, they can share a brief story or thought. After speaking, they will gently toss the ball to another student, who will then share their own story or thought.
3. Emphasize the importance of keeping their comments brief and taking turns talking and listening. Encourage them to pay attention to the speaker and respond thoughtfully.
4. Continue the activity for a set amount of time or until everyone has had a chance to speak at least once.

This activity allows students to practice taking turns, keeping their comments brief, and engaging in a balanced conversation where everyone feels heard and respected.

Discussion Questions

After completing the Conversation Ball activity, use the following discussion questions to further explore the concept of Conversation Share and reinforce its importance:

• How did it feel when everyone took turns talking and listening during the activity?
• Why is it important to keep our comments brief and give others a chance to speak in a conversation?
• Can you think of a time when someone dominated the conversation, and how did it make you feel?
• How can practicing Conversation Share skills improve our relationships with others?
• What strategies can you use to become better at sharing conversations in your everyday life?

Related Skills

Teaching Conversation Share skills is just one aspect of fostering healthy social interactions among students. Here are some other related skills that are important for students to develop:

• Active Listening: Encourage students to genuinely listen to others, maintain eye contact, and show empathy.
• Asking Questions: Teach students to ask open-ended questions that encourage conversation and demonstrate their interest in others.
• Nonverbal Communication: Help students understand the importance of body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice in conveying their feelings and intentions.
• Respecting Boundaries: Encourage students to recognize and respect the personal boundaries of others during conversations, such as personal space and privacy.

Next Steps

Teaching Conversation Share skills is an essential part of Social-Emotional Learning for students, particularly those in special education. By incorporating these activities and discussions into your classroom, you can help students become more confident and effective communicators. To further enhance your students’ social skills, sign up for free samples of Conversation Share and other related skills at Everyday Speech.