Introduction

Communication is an essential aspect of social-emotional learning, and one of the fundamental communication skills is small talk. Small talk is a brief, polite conversation with someone, often focused on topics such as recent events, shared interests, or general feelings. It’s a valuable skill that helps build relationships, ease social anxiety, and foster a sense of belonging. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity that educators can use to teach high school students the art of small talk, stimulating discussion questions, related skills, and next steps for further learning.

No-Prep Activity: The Small Talk Carousel

This activity requires no materials or preparation from the educator, making it an excellent option for impromptu lessons or as a warm-up exercise. Here’s how it works:

1. Ask students to stand in two circles, one inside the other, with the inner circle facing outwards and the outer circle facing inwards.
2. Each student should be facing another student from the opposite circle.
3. Give the students a small talk prompt, such as “How was your weekend?” or “What’s your favorite hobby?”
4. Students will have 1-2 minutes to engage in small talk with the person they are facing, using the given prompt.
5. After the allotted time, the outer circle rotates clockwise, and the inner circle rotates counterclockwise, so each student faces a new partner.
6. Introduce a new small talk prompt, and repeat the process for several rounds, allowing students to practice their small talk skills with different partners and topics.

This activity encourages students to practice their small talk skills in a low-pressure environment, helping them become more comfortable and confident in social situations.

Discussion Questions

After the activity, engage your students in a discussion to deepen their understanding of small talk and its importance in social-emotional learning. Here are some questions to get the conversation started:

1. Why do you think small talk is an essential skill to develop?
2. How did you feel during the activity? Did you find it challenging or easy to engage in small talk with your peers?
3. Can you think of any situations outside of school where small talk would be beneficial?
4. What topics do you believe are appropriate for small talk? Are there any topics that should be avoided?
5. How can you use small talk to build connections with others and create a more inclusive environment?

Related Skills

Small talk is just one aspect of social-emotional learning. Here are some other related skills that educators can help students develop:

• Active listening: Paying full attention to the speaker, asking clarifying questions, and demonstrating empathy.
• Nonverbal communication: Understanding and interpreting body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice.
• Conflict resolution: Identifying the root cause of a disagreement and working together to find a mutually beneficial solution.
• Assertiveness: Expressing thoughts and feelings openly and respectfully, while also respecting the rights and feelings of others.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, and offering support when needed.

Next Steps

Teaching the art of small talk and other social-emotional learning skills can make a significant difference in the lives of high school students. If you’re interested in exploring more resources and activities to help students develop these skills, sign up for free sample materials from Everyday Speech. You’ll find a wealth of materials designed to support educators in teaching social-emotional learning skills, making it easier to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.