Many middle school students struggle to stay on topic in conversation. They may respond with unrelated comments, repeat themselves without moving the conversation forward, or shift to a new subject too quickly. These habits can interfere with social connection and often lead to communication breakdowns.

The Connected Comments Spinner gives students structured practice in responding with comments that are clearly related to what someone else has said. Each prompt models a realistic student statement. The student’s task is to respond with a connected comment that keeps the conversation going.

In this article, you’ll find:

• A definition of connected comments and why they matter
• A full teaching plan for using the spinner with middle school students
• Optional follow-up activities for conversation skills generalization
• A free link to the spinner activity

What Are Connected Comments?

A connected comment is a reply that links directly to what was just said. It shows that the speaker is listening and that they understand the topic. It also helps the conversation continue rather than drift into unrelated areas.

This skill supports several foundational aspects of communication:

• Topic maintenance
• Turn-taking
• Perspective-taking
• Conversational repair

Without direct instruction, many students give responses that are too short, off-topic, or disconnected. Others may appear uninterested or unsure how to respond, even when they are trying to engage. Practicing connected comments helps students organize their thinking and contribute more meaningfully to conversations.

Middle School Activity: Connected Comment Spinner

The Connected Comments Spinner is an interactive tool that can be used on a smartboard, laptop, or tablet. Each time it is spun, a new student-friendly statement appears, such as:

• “I just started learning how to play the guitar. It’s a bit challenging, but I really enjoy it.”
• “This weekend I’m planning to bake cookies for my family. I love trying out new recipes in the kitchen.”
• “I’m reading a book about space exploration. It’s so interesting.”

Students are asked to respond with a comment that relates to what they just heard. The format supports repeated practice and allows educators to provide feedback in real time.

Lesson Plan: Using the Connected Comments Spinner

This lesson is designed for middle school students working on pragmatic language skills. It can be used in speech therapy groups, small classroom settings, or individual sessions.

Step 1: Define the Skill

Start by introducing what a connected comment is:

• A comment that relates directly to what someone else said
• A response that keeps the conversation on the same topic

Write an example on the board:

Speaker A: “I’m excited to visit my cousin this weekend.”
Connected comment: “That sounds fun. What are you planning to do together?”
Not connected: “I went to the store yesterday.”

Ask students to identify which comment is connected and explain why.

Step 2: Model the Spinner

Open the spinner and review the directions. Read one of the sample prompts aloud. Then model a connected comment and explain how it matches the topic. Emphasize the importance of listening first before responding.

You can highlight several types of connected responses:

• Follow-up questions
• Shared experiences
• Positive affirmations that include topic-related details

Step 3: Student Practice

Have students take turns spinning the wheel and reading the prompt aloud. Their goal is to respond with a connected comment. After each student responds, lead a brief check-in:

• Was the comment connected?
• How did it relate to the original statement?
• What else could we say to continue the conversation?

Provide guidance or rephrase suggestions as needed. Repetition is key to building confidence with this skill.

Step 4: Reflect

After each student has practiced multiple times, bring the group back together. Ask:

• What helped you think of a connected comment?
• What made some prompts easier or harder to respond to?
• Where might you use this skill in your daily life?

Encourage students to make connections to group projects, classroom conversations, or everyday social situations.

Optional Follow-Up Activities

To extend the learning and support generalization, try one of the following:

1. Build a Connected Comment Anchor Chart 

Create a visual with sentence starters students can use, such as:

• “That reminds me of…”
• “I’ve done something similar…”
• “That sounds interesting. Tell me more about…”

Post it in the classroom or keep a copy at student desks.

2. Sort the Responses

Give students a set of pre-written responses and ask them to sort them into connected and not connected. Then discuss how to improve the off-topic responses.

3. Role-Play Practice

Use short, real-world scenarios like “waiting in line,” “talking at lunch,” or “joining a group project.” Have students take turns making connected comments based on a starter line from a peer.

Why This Resource Is Effective

The Connected Comments Spinner is designed to support middle school students in developing a specific and measurable communication skill. It:

• Targets a core area of pragmatic language development
• Provides visual, interactive practice with high student engagement
• Offers built-in modeling and repetition
• Can be adapted across settings and student needs

For students working on IEP goals related to conversation skills, the spinner can be used as both a teaching and progress monitoring tool.