Middle school is a critical time for developing advanced communication skills that will serve students well into adulthood. As speech pathologists, it’s our role to provide students with the tools they need to engage in meaningful conversations. One essential skill is making connected comments—a practice that not only enriches dialogue but also strengthens social connections. This blog introduces a Free Middle School Connected Comments Activity designed to help students master the art of connected comments, with simple, no-prep activity ideas for a seamless implementation.

Lesson Plan Overview

Duration: 20-25 minutes

Materials: Interactive digital Spinner activity (provided as a free online tool)

Objective: To teach middle school students how to make connected comments that contribute to a conversation, enhancing their social interaction and communication skills.

Preparation Steps

1. Access the Free Middle School Connected Comments Spinner activity online.
2. Ensure your classroom technology can access and display the Spinner activity.
3. Familiarize yourself with the activity and prepare to share examples if needed.

Lesson Execution

1. Introduction to Connected Comments (5 minutes): Start with a brief explanation of what connected comments are and why they’re important in conversations. Highlight how these comments can show active listening and interest in the discussion.
2. Demonstrating the Spinner Activity: Show students how the digital Spinner works. Explain that when the spinner lands on a statement, the student’s task is to practice making a connected comment related to that statement.
3. Interactive Spinner Practice (10 minutes): Have each student take a turn spinning the digital spinner and responding with a connected comment. Encourage constructive feedback and group discussion on the effectiveness of the comments.
4. Reflection and Discussion (5-10 minutes): Conclude with a group reflection on the activity. Discuss challenges students faced, strategies for improvement, and the importance of connected comments in building strong communication skills.

Conclusion

The Free Middle School Connected Comments Activity offers a fun and interactive way for students to practice and refine their conversation skills. By participating in this digital spinner activity, students learn to make meaningful contributions to discussions, improving their social interactions and communication abilities. Speech pathologists can easily incorporate this activity into their lesson plans, providing a valuable resource for teaching the nuances of effective communication.

Let’s use this innovative tool to empower our middle school students to become more confident and competent communicators, ready to engage in rich, connected conversations with peers and adults alike.

Sample Video

Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video-modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here!

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Navigating the Social Landscape: Developing Effective Communication Skills in Middle School

Effective Communication Techniques for Middle School Students: A Guide for Educators