Skill: Participating in Group Discussions | Learning Goal: Communication
Grades: 4-5 | Activity Type: Lesson | Purpose: 🟢 Core Instruction
Be Good People Curriculum © St. Croix River Education District
How Do I Talk With a Group of People?
Today, we'll talk about why and how to share attention and take turns when we're talking to people.
WHY PARTICIPATING IN GROUP DISCUSSIONS IS IMPORTANT: |
👍 Talking kindly and sharing helps you to get along with friends, family, and teachers. 👍 You can learn things you didn't know. 👍 People will think that you're a friendly, respectful person. They will like being around you. |
Pretend you need to teach someone else how to participate in group discussions.
What would you tell them to do or not to do?
Step 1: Listen to the people who are talking.
Think about what the people are saying.
Use a calm body.
Don't interrupt.
Step 2: Decide if you have something to say.
Maybe the teacher asked a question during class and you know the answer.
Your friends might be discussing a topic that you know something about.
Step 3: Get attention appropriately.
You could wait for a pause and start talking.
For group discussions in class, you need to raise your hand and wait to be called on first.
Step 4: Make a comment about what the people were talking about.
Is it connected to the topic people are talking about or is it off topic?
Step 5: Take turns and make sure others have enough time to speak.
Pay attention to how much you're talking compared to others. It's rude to dominate the conversation.
People will enjoy talking with you more if you give them a turn.
During social studies, the class breaks into small groups to discuss what makes a good leader. DeShawn thought of examples from history, but his group members keep sharing different opinions. Two students haven't shared yet.
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The art teacher asks students to discuss different styles of self-portraits they've studied. Aiden notices something interesting about the colors, but the conversation keeps moving in different directions before he can share.
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The PE class sits together to suggest new indoor games for rainy days. Ahmed remembers a fun game from his old school, but everyone's excited about Kevin's idea. Some students are whispering to their neighbors instead of sharing.
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Kai's lunch table talks about a new popular video game. Kai has played it and noticed something cool, but everyone's talking about different features at once. A few kids look interested but haven't joined in.
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In writing workshop, small groups share feedback about each other's stories. Isabella sees a way to improve her classmate's ending, but isn't sure when to speak up. Two students have given suggestions already.
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