Introduction

In the world of Social-Emotional Learning, the ability to share conversations effectively is a pivotal skill for students. Conversation sharing involves taking turns to talk, listening attentively, and keeping comments balanced in length. By mastering this skill, students can build strong relationships and create a positive social environment. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills that educators can use to teach the Conversation Share skill.

No-Prep Activity: Conversation Catch

“Conversation Catch” is a simple, engaging activity that requires no preparation or materials. This activity helps students practice taking turns, listening, and keeping their comments balanced in length during a conversation. Follow these steps to conduct the Conversation Catch activity in your classroom:

1. Ask students to form pairs or small groups.
2. Explain the concept of Conversation Share, emphasizing the importance of taking turns, listening, and keeping comments balanced in length.
3. Instruct students to have a conversation on a chosen topic, such as their favorite hobbies, movies, or weekend activities.
4. While conversing, students should imagine they are playing catch with a ball, tossing the conversation back and forth between each other.
5. Encourage students to monitor their speaking time and ensure everyone gets an equal opportunity to share their thoughts.
6. After the activity, discuss as a class the experience and challenges faced during the activity, emphasizing the importance of practicing the Conversation Share skill.

Discussion Questions

• Why is it important to take turns and listen during a conversation?
• How did you feel when everyone had an equal opportunity to share their thoughts during the Conversation Catch activity?
• What challenges did you face while trying to balance talking and listening during the activity?
• How can practicing the Conversation Share skill help improve your relationships with others?
• Can you think of a time when someone dominated a conversation? How did that make you feel?

Related Skills

The Conversation Share skill is closely related to other essential Social-Emotional Learning skills, such as:

• Active Listening: Paying full attention to the speaker, showing empathy, and understanding their message.
• Empathy: Putting oneself in another person’s shoes and understanding their feelings and perspectives.
• Assertiveness: Expressing one’s thoughts, feelings, and needs in a respectful and confident manner.
• Conflict Resolution: Identifying and resolving disagreements in a constructive and collaborative way.

Next Steps

Enhancing students’ Conversation Share skills is vital for their social-emotional development. To further support your teaching, sign up for free samples of skill-based materials and resources at Everyday Speech. With these materials, you can help your students develop strong communication skills and positive relationships with their peers.