Low Stakes Communication Activities

Here is a list of low stakes activities for oral communication to get kids talking or build community.

Activity

Description

#OneLittleWord

Students select and share a word to focus on for the upcoming year (or for another purpose). Option to describe why they chose the word.

Jenga View Puzzles

Jenga View Puzzles

Word Pair Game

One student gets one word  and secretly chooses a second word to pair with it (E.g., Word is “house” student chooses “key”). The other students also choose a second word trying to match the first student’s word. Can also be done in pairs.

One’s Gotta Go

Show two (or more images on a slide). Students choose which one has to go. Option to give reasoning.

Would you rather…?

Students choose between two scenarios. Option to give reasoning. Slideshow prompts.

This or that?

Students choose between two options. Option to give reasoning as support OR reasoning in support + reasoning against.

Photo wonderings

Present an image. Students ask questions about the photo. ://www.nytimes.com/column/learning-whats-going-on-in-this-picture

Short video - Notice & wonder

Use short videos and What's Going On in This Picture? - The New York Times have students share what they notice or ask a question.

Word Ladders

Sample

30 circle challenge

Site with download

Board games that be played in isolated short rounds

  • Poetry for Neanderthals (Student tries to get group to guess the word(s) on the card using descriptions - can only use one syllable words)
  • Snake Oil - each student gets 2 cards, tries to convince “seller” why their product is the best