Engaging in Collaborative Conversations
Engaging in Collaborative Conversations Objective: Students will learn how to participate in conversations by following agreed-upon rules, including listening attentively, asking questions, and staying on topic.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the importance of listening carefully during conversations.
- Practice asking relevant questions to learn more about the topic.
- Stay on topic while speaking and responding to others.
Materials Needed
- Picture story cards
- Paper and pencils
- Timer or clock
Key Vocabulary
- Conversation
- A talk between two or more people where ideas are shared.
- Listening
- Paying close attention to what someone is saying.
- Topic
- The subject or main idea being discussed.
Detailed Activities
Story Card Conversation Practice
- Show the student a picture story card and ask them to describe what they see.
- Explain the rules of conversation: listen carefully, take turns speaking, and ask questions about the story.
- Take turns with the student discussing the picture, encouraging them to ask questions and respond appropriately.
- Use a timer to keep the conversation focused for about 5 minutes, then switch to a new picture card and repeat.
Role-Playing Conversation
- Create a simple scenario related to the student’s interests (e.g., talking about favorite animals or hobbies).
- Take turns playing roles in a conversation, practicing asking and answering questions while staying on topic.
- Remind the student to listen carefully and wait for their turn to speak.
- Discuss how the conversation went and what rules helped make it successful.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to speak clearly and listen carefully during conversations at home.
- Use everyday situations, like mealtime or errands, to practice conversation skills naturally.
- Be patient and gently remind your child of the conversation rules when needed.
Assessment Questions
- Can you listen carefully when someone else is speaking without interrupting?
- Can you ask a question to learn more about what someone is saying?
- Can you stay on the topic during a conversation without changing the subject?
Extension Ideas
- Have your child record a short conversation and listen to it together to identify good listening and speaking habits.
- Encourage your child to have conversations with family members or friends about a shared interest.
- Create a ‘conversation jar’ with different topics for your child to practice discussing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gently remind your child about waiting for their turn to speak. Practice taking turns during role-play activities to build this habit.
Encourage them to think about the main idea of the conversation and ask questions related to that topic. Praise them when they do well.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Students may think it is okay to interrupt when excited to speak.
- Some students may struggle to stay focused on the topic during conversations.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Use shorter conversation turns and simpler topics.
- Provide visual aids or sentence starters to support speaking.
- Practice one rule at a time before combining all conversation rules.
For Advanced Students:
- Encourage longer conversations with more complex topics.
- Introduce the idea of summarizing what others have said before responding.
- Practice asking open-ended questions that promote deeper discussion.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend the first 10 minutes introducing vocabulary and conversation rules.
- Use the next 20 minutes for guided practice with story cards and role-playing.
- Reserve the last 15 minutes for reflection, assessment questions, and parent-led discussion.
Standards
- 6.SL.1c — Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions, including listening to others, asking questions, and staying on topic.
Printable Worksheet
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