Introduction

Effective communication is essential for students to thrive socially and academically. One key aspect of communication is storytelling, which helps students share their experiences and ideas. This blog post focuses on teaching elementary students the importance of considering their listener when telling a story. By providing enough information, students can ensure that their listeners understand the story and avoid confusion. Let’s explore a no-prep activity that teaches students to give a background brief while storytelling, followed by discussion questions, related skills, and next steps.

No-Prep Activity: The Background Brief Game

This activity requires no preparation or materials and encourages students to practice giving a background brief when they share a story or experience. Here’s how it works:

1. Divide the students into pairs. One student will be the storyteller, and the other will be the listener.
2. Ask the storyteller to think of a recent event or experience they want to share with their partner. Remind them to consider their listener and provide enough information in their story.
3. Give the pairs a few minutes to share their stories. The listener should pay close attention and ask questions if they need more information to understand the story.
4. After each pair has had a chance to share their stories, have the students switch roles and repeat the process.
5. Finally, bring the class back together and discuss the importance of giving a background brief when sharing stories.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to consider your listener when telling a story?
2. What information should you include in a background brief to help your listener understand your story?
3. How did it feel when your partner provided enough information in their story? How did it feel when they didn’t?
4. What are some situations where giving a background brief is especially important?
5. How can practicing this skill help you become a better communicator?

Related Skills

Teaching students to give a background brief is just one aspect of effective communication. Other related skills that can enhance students’ communication abilities include:

• Active Listening: Encouraging students to listen attentively and ask questions when needed.
• Nonverbal Communication: Helping students understand the importance of body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice in conveying their message.
• Empathy: Teaching students to put themselves in their listener’s shoes and understand their perspective.
• Asking for Clarification: Encouraging students to seek clarification when they don’t understand something, rather than making assumptions.

Next Steps

Teaching effective storytelling through background briefs and other communication skills is crucial for students’ social and academic success. To explore more activities and resources to help your students develop these skills, sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. By incorporating Social-Emotional Learning principles into your classroom, you can foster a supportive environment where students learn to communicate effectively and build strong relationships with their peers.