Introduction

Small talk is an essential social skill that helps individuals connect with others. It is particularly useful for students in Special Education, as it can build a sense of belonging and improve their communication abilities. This blog post will introduce a simple method called “The Two W’s” to facilitate small talk for these students. The Two W’s stand for Weather and Weekend, two easy-to-discuss topics that can be used to start a conversation.

No-Prep Activity

Here’s a no-prep activity that educators can use to help students practice small talk using The Two W’s:

1. Divide the students into pairs.
2. Ask each pair to stand facing each other.
3. Have one student in each pair initiate a conversation using a statement or question about the weather (e.g., “It’s so sunny today!” or “Do you think it will rain later?”).
4. The other student should respond, and the pair should continue the conversation with one or two more exchanges about the weather.
5. Next, have the students switch roles and initiate a conversation using a statement or question about the weekend (e.g., “Did you have a good weekend?” or “What are your plans for next weekend?”).
6. The pairs should continue the conversation with one or two more exchanges about the weekend.
7. After each pair has practiced both roles, bring the class back together and ask students to share what they learned or any challenges they faced during the activity.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions to stimulate further discussions:

• Why is small talk important for building connections with others?
• What are some other topics students might use for small talk besides the weather and the weekend?
• How can students practice their small talk skills outside of the classroom?
• What strategies can students use to continue a conversation after starting with The Two W’s?
• How can educators support students in Special Education in developing their small talk skills?

Related Skills

Besides small talk, there are other relevant skills that students in Special Education can benefit from:

• Active listening: Being attentive to what others are saying and responding appropriately.
• Nonverbal communication: Understanding and using body language, facial expressions, and gestures to convey meaning and emotions.
• Empathy: Recognizing and understanding the feelings and perspectives of others.
• Assertiveness: Expressing oneself in a confident and respectful manner.
• Conflict resolution: Navigating disagreements and finding solutions that satisfy everyone involved.

Next Steps

Teaching small talk skills using The Two W’s can be a valuable addition to any Special Education curriculum. In order to further explore this skill and other related social-emotional learning concepts, we encourage you to sign up for free samples of our materials at Everyday Speech. These resources can help educators create a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students.