As speech-language pathologists, we play a vital role in helping elementary school students develop effective communication skills. One crucial aspect of conversation is the ability to make connected comments, which allows for meaningful and engaging interactions. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of connected comments and provide a comprehensive lesson plan with simple, no-prep activity ideas to assist you in teaching elementary school students how to master this essential skill.
Importance of Making Connected Comments
When students can contribute relevant and connected comments to a conversation, it not only helps maintain the flow but also demonstrates active listening and engagement. Here are a few reasons why teaching connected comments is crucial for elementary school students:
- Encourages Active Participation: Making connected comments enables students to actively contribute to conversations, which boosts their confidence and encourages them to engage more frequently.
- Enhances Listening Skills: By encouraging students to listen attentively to others’ contributions, they can generate thoughtful responses, fostering effective communication and empathy.
- Expands Vocabulary and Language Skills: Engaging in conversation provides opportunities for students to expand their vocabulary, practice using different sentence structures, and develop stronger language skills.
Lesson Plan: Teaching Connected Comments
To kickstart the lesson, engage the students with a warm-up activity using conversation starters. These prompts can be written on slips of paper and placed in a jar for students to pick from. Encourage students to take turns sharing their responses and encourage connected comments.
Example prompts:
- What is your favorite book? Why?
- If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
- Share an interesting fact about yourself.
- What is your favorite subject in school? Why?
- Describe your dream job. What would you do?
Introduce the Concept of Connected Comments
Explain to the students the importance of making connected comments in a conversation. Define connected comments as statements that build upon the previous speaker’s ideas or contribute new information related to the topic. Provide examples of connected comments to help students.
Example: If the speaker says, “I love playing soccer because it’s a fun team sport,” a connected comment could be, “I agree! Playing soccer helps me build teamwork skills, and I enjoy it!”
Connecting Comments Prompts
For guided practice, use the free Connecting Comments Prompts activity from Everyday Speech. In a therapeutic or small group setting, you can read the prompts aloud to your students and ask them to respond. Instruct students to take turns practicing making connected comments. Encourage them to actively listen to their partner’s comments and respond with relevant and connected contributions.
Reflection and Feedback
Conclude the lesson by allowing students to reflect on their experiences and provide feedback. Ask them about the challenges they faced while making connected comments and encourage suggestions for improvement. Emphasize the importance of practicing this skill regularly and provide positive reinforcement for their efforts.
Meaningful Conversation through Connected Comments
Mastering the art of making connected comments is essential for elementary school students as they navigate their way through meaningful conversations. By incorporating the lesson plan and activity ideas shared in this blog post, speech-language pathologists can play a vital role in helping students develop stronger communication skills. Remember, with consistent practice, guidance, and positive reinforcement, students will be well-equipped to make connected comments and actively contribute to engaging conversations.
Sample Video
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