In the ever-evolving world of social communication, engaging high school students can be challenging. That’s where Everyday Speech’s latest addition, the Social Navigator game, steps in. This retro social communication game for high schoolers is designed to teach social skills with a fun twist, focusing on making connected comments. Perfect for high school SLPs, the game encourages students to master on-topic responses, an essential part of effective communication.
This interactive activity isn’t just any learning tool. Its retro driving game format immerses students in a setting that feels familiar yet exciting. Throughout the journey, they’re prompted with questions, like “Are you a member of any school clubs?” and then asked to select the most connected comment from a series of choices. By choosing the best response, students earn points, reinforcing the concept that staying on topic is key to meaningful conversations.
Why This Game Works
Teaching social skills to high school students can sometimes feel like an uphill task. Everyday Speech’s Social Navigator makes it easier by adding a layer of entertainment that keeps students motivated. The game aligns with evidence-based practices, using repetition and immediate feedback to help students understand the importance of responding appropriately in conversations. When students choose the right response, they progress in the game, making the learning experience both educational and rewarding.
How Social Navigator Reinforces SEL Goals
This game isn’t just fun; it’s aligned with social-emotional learning (SEL) goals that many SLPs focus on. By practicing connected comments, students build their empathy and perspective-taking skills, learning to consider how their responses affect others. These skills are crucial for high schoolers as they prepare for interactions beyond school, whether in college, work, or social settings. Social Navigator turns abstract SEL concepts into concrete, relatable actions, fostering genuine improvement in students’ communication abilities.
Game Play Mechanics: How It Engages and Educates
As students drive through various stages, they encounter prompts and must decide the most connected comment. For instance, when asked, “Are you a member of any school clubs?” students have options like “Yes! I’m in the chess club,” or “I wish summer would last forever!” This structure helps students see, in real time, the difference between staying on topic and veering off, a concept that can sometimes be hard to grasp in traditional learning formats.
Each correct choice helps students score points and move forward in the game, making each level an opportunity to build upon previous skills. The retro aesthetic and gamified scoring make the experience feel less like a lesson and more like a challenge, which is especially valuable for high school students who thrive on interactive learning.
Supporting High Schoolers’ Social Growth Through Connected Comments
One of the core benefits of Social Navigator is its focus on high school students’ specific needs. As they transition into adulthood, the ability to make connected comments and engage in thoughtful conversations becomes essential. This game supports that transition, building confidence in students and helping them feel more comfortable in social scenarios.
By using a Retro Social Communication Game for High Schoolers, educators can present these skills in a way that resonates. Students learn to stay present in conversations, respond thoughtfully, and recognize when they’re drifting off-topic—all skills that can significantly impact their interpersonal relationships.
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Everyday Speech’s Broader Social Communication Resources
For SLPs looking for a comprehensive SEL solution, Social Navigator is part of Everyday Speech’s broader curriculum. Everyday Speech offers a range of video modeling lessons, interactive games, and worksheets designed to reinforce social communication and emotional regulation. Each tool is crafted with the student’s age and developmental stage in mind, making them highly effective in real-world applications.
How to Use This Game in Your Next Session
Integrating Social Navigator into your next session is simple. Begin by setting the stage with a brief discussion on why staying on topic is essential. Then, introduce the game, explaining the goal of collecting “on-topic” responses to earn points. Encourage students to reflect on their choices, discussing why some responses worked better than others.
This Retro Social Communication Game for High Schoolers isn’t just a game; it’s a powerful learning tool. By creating a space for practice and reflection, you’re giving students a chance to internalize essential communication skills. And with the retro game format, students are likely to remain engaged and eager to improve.
Closing Thoughts: The Impact of Connected Comments
Helping students master connected comments can lead to more meaningful conversations and stronger relationships. Everyday Speech’s Social Navigator game is an excellent resource for achieving this, providing SLPs with an innovative way to teach these skills. This Retro Social Communication Game for High Schoolers not only makes learning fun but also prepares students for the complex social interactions they’ll face beyond school.
If you’re looking to boost your social communication curriculum, Everyday Speech offers an entire library of SEL resources, including Social Navigator, that cater to high school students’ unique needs. Dive into this retro-inspired game and watch your students thrive in their communication journey.
Sample Video
Students learn best by watching others their same-age model the behavior! Check out a sample video modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 14 days here!
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Enhancing Communication Skills: The High School Speech Curriculum
Top Social Communication Programs: High School Edition
