Incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in the classroom is essential for students’ personal and social development. This blog post will discuss skills that help students express their opinions and respect the differing opinions of others. We will provide a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to enhance students’ abilities in these areas.

Introduction

Opinions are personal thoughts, feelings, or beliefs about a particular topic or issue. It’s essential for students to learn how to express their opinions respectfully and listen to the opinions of others, even if they might not agree. This skill is vital in fostering a sense of understanding and empathy among students, which is a core aspect of SEL. By teaching students to share their opinions and respect differences, educators can create a more inclusive and harmonious learning environment.

No-Prep Activity: Opinion Charades

This activity requires no preparation or materials and is designed to help students practice expressing their opinions and understanding that others may have different perspectives. Here’s how to conduct the activity:

1. Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students.
2. Ask each group to come up with a list of 5-10 topics or questions that would elicit different opinions (e.g., “What’s your favorite season?”, “Which is better: cats or dogs?”).
3. Once the groups have finished, ask one student from each group to act out their opinion on one of the topics/questions without speaking. The rest of the group should try to guess the student’s opinion.
4. After the group has guessed correctly, the student who acted out their opinion should briefly explain their reasoning.
5. Rotate roles within the group until all students have had a chance to act out their opinions and explain their reasoning.
6. Conclude the activity by reinforcing the idea that it’s okay to have different opinions and that it’s important to respect other people’s perspectives.

Discussion Questions

After completing the activity, use these questions to stimulate further discussions among students:

1. How did it feel to express your opinion without speaking? Did you find it challenging or easy?
2. How did it feel to listen to the opinions of others, especially if they were different from your own?
3. Why is it important to respect other people’s opinions, even if we don’t agree with them?
4. Can you think of a situation where understanding and respecting different opinions would be beneficial?
5. What strategies can you use to express your opinion respectfully and listen to others’ opinions?

Related Skills

Teaching students to share their opinions and respect differences is just one aspect of SEL. Here are some additional related skills that educators can focus on:

• Active listening: Teach students to listen carefully and attentively when others are speaking, demonstrating understanding and empathy.
• Empathy: Help students develop the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, promoting a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Conflict resolution: Teach students how to address disagreements in a respectful and constructive manner, finding solutions that benefit all parties involved.
• Assertiveness: Encourage students to express their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs in a respectful and confident way, without being aggressive or passive.

Next Steps

By incorporating activities and discussions that encourage students to share their opinions and respect differences, educators can create a more inclusive and empathetic learning environment. To explore more resources and sample materials related to these skills and others, sign up for free samples at Everyday Speech.