Safe or Unsafe Conversation Topics
What book are you reading?
Safe topic
Talking to someone while also scrolling on my phone.
NOT active listening = multitasking :-(
Name one thing that you might have in common with a peer in your class that you could bring up in conversation?
Examples: We have a test coming up.
We just had a really hard project that was due.
You see a picture of a pet. How could you work this into a conversation?
Example - is that your dog? I have a german sheppard, what breed is your dog?
The teacher is moving papers swiftly around their desk, they aren't making eye contact with me and seem a little stressed. Is this a good time to talk with them?
No - pick another time to approach them
Who do you think your family is going to vote for in the upcoming election?
Potentially unsafe - may cause controversy
Turning my body so it is facing the person I am talking to.
Yes - active listening
What question could you ask a peer in class (even if you know the answer) to just start opening the door to communicating?
Examples: What page did the teacher say?
What date did you hear the teacher say?
Example - I heard you say you are going to Ocean City. My family likes going there every year, you really need to check out the water slides on 100 street.
Yes - as long as it's quick.
What could you say to a peer?
Have you watched any good netflix shows recently?
Safe
I smile when someone makes eye contact with me in the room.
Yes - open to active listening/inviting conversation
What is a compliment you could give to a peer in the class?
Example - Your project looks nice.
You look like you worked really hard on that design.
It's June and you know July 4th is coming up. What question could you ask a peer near the end of the school year related to summer or July 4th?
Example - Do you do anything to celebrate July 4th?
What do you like to do on July 4th?
A peer is walking with a group of their friends, they enter the class and keep talking as a group at the desk. Is this a good time to try and speak with one of them?
Probably not - they might be fully engaged.
It can be easier to get a person's attention 1-on-1
Did you hear the girl in the first row got dumped by her significant other on instagram?!?
Unsafe - controversial - GOSSIP AVOID
I look down in my lap when someone tries to talk to me.
NOT active listening. Our eyes are like arrows. Look towards who is speaking to you.
Trivia game based in guessing items based on an article.
Top 5
You overhear a student listening to music on their earbuds. What could you ask them related to their music?
Example - What are you listening to?
Is that your favorite artist/group?
A peer is sitting at a lunch table by themselves. Is this a good time to start a conversation?
Probably - YES - what's a good starter if you need somewhere to sit at lunch?
Have you ever done something on your bucket list?
Safe
Using my eyes to gauge is someone is interested in what I am saying.
YES - this is a part of active listening
You see a peer in your class that has a book with them. What question could you ask them about the book that could start a conversation?
Examples: What do you think about that book so far?
Have you liked any other books in the series?
What is that book about?
You just filled out your course requests for next year. What question could you ask a peer sitting next to you in your math class related to class schedules for next year?
Example - What Math did you sign up for next year?
Who are you hoping to get as a math teacher next year?
Think of a peer you've had classes with in the past that is nice that you'd like to get to know. What question could you ask that person based on what you know about them?
Example - How'd you do in GCC 1st semester? I'm in it now and I'm finding it really hard.
Have you continued taking Spanish in high school?