Listening and Speaking: Engaging in Collaborative Conversations
Listening and Speaking: Engaging in Collaborative Conversations Objective: Students will practice participating in collaborative conversations with peers and adults, focusing on listening carefully and responding appropriately to build on others’ ideas.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the importance of listening carefully during conversations.
- Practice taking turns speaking and responding to others’ ideas.
- Demonstrate respectful behavior during group discussions.
Materials Needed
- Storybook or short passage appropriate for 6-year-olds
- Paper and crayons or markers
- Printed conversation prompt cards
- Timer or stopwatch
Key Vocabulary
- Collaborate
- To work together with others to share ideas and solve problems.
- Conversation
- A talk between two or more people where ideas and thoughts are shared.
- Listening
- Paying close attention to what someone else is saying.
Detailed Activities
Story Listening and Discussion
- Read a short story or passage aloud to the student.
- Ask the student to listen carefully without interrupting.
- After reading, ask questions about the story to encourage the student to share their thoughts.
- Model how to respond politely to ideas shared by others.
Role-Play Conversations
- Use conversation prompt cards to start simple dialogues (e.g., talking about favorite animals or foods).
- Take turns with the student practicing asking and answering questions.
- Encourage the student to listen to your responses and add their own ideas.
- Praise the student for listening carefully and speaking clearly.
Collaborative Drawing and Sharing
- Invite the student to draw a picture about a topic discussed (like a favorite story character).
- While drawing, engage in conversation about their choices.
- After finishing, ask the student to explain their drawing, listening carefully to their explanation.
- Respond positively and ask questions to extend the conversation.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to listen without interrupting during conversations to help build strong communication skills.
- Use everyday moments like meal times or errands to practice taking turns talking and listening.
- Be patient and provide lots of positive reinforcement to help your child feel confident speaking.
Assessment Questions
- Can your child listen to a story and answer questions about it?
- Does your child take turns speaking during a conversation?
- Can your child respond politely to what others say?
Extension Ideas
- Create a family conversation circle where everyone shares something about their day.
- Record your child telling a story or explaining something and listen together to discuss ways to improve.
- Play simple games that require listening and following directions, like ‘Simon Says.’
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s normal for some children to be shy. Encourage small steps, like responding with a nod or a few words, and gradually increase the length of conversations over time.
Try to minimize distractions during conversations, keep sessions short and engaging, and use visual aids or gestures to support understanding.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Children may think listening means only being silent; they need to understand it also means thinking about what is said.
- Some children may dominate conversations and not allow others to speak.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Use short, clear sentences and visual cues during conversations.
- Allow extra wait time for responses and practice one-on-one before group settings.
For Advanced Students:
- Encourage asking open-ended questions to deepen conversations.
- Introduce simple debating skills to build on ideas with reasons.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Start with short 5-10 minute activities and gradually increase to 15-20 minutes as attention improves.
- Repeat activities over several days to reinforce skills before moving on.
Standards
- 6.SL.5 — Include individual students in collaborative conversations, responding to others and building on their ideas.
Printable Worksheet
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