Topic Radar
You notice that you and your classmate have the same sneakers. Come up with one comment or question you could say to them on the topic of your sneakers.
"Hey, we have the same sneakers!"
"Do you love these sneakers too?"
"That's so cool that we both have these sneakers!"
When I want to join a conversation my friends are having, I need to...
listen to what they are talking about, and then ask a question or make a comment about that topic.
Start a conversation with someone about the weekend.
You started the conversation.
You start small talk with the student sitting next to you. You continue to talk about your weekend. She stares at you then looks away and doesn't say anything. Why?
She is getting bored with the conversation.
She is thinking of something upsetting that has nothing to do with you.
She wishes you would ask her about her weekend.
You and your classmate both love playing games on the iPad. Come up with one comment or question you could say to them on the topic of iPad games.
"What is your favorite game?"
"Maybe we can friend each other on ________."
"What games do you play?"
If I want to change the topic of conversation, I need to...
wait until we are done talking about the first topic. Ride one topic until it is done, like a wave. And then, we can change the topic.
Start a conversation with someone about the best birthday ever.
You started a conversation.
Your best friend looks upset. You start talking about the homework because you aren't sure how to ask what is wrong. Your friend looks at you with an angry face and walks away.
Your friend wants to talk about what is upsetting them.
Your friend is thinking, "They aren't being caring about me. How can they talk about their homework when I obviously look upset."
You remember that your friend’s birthday is coming up next week. Come up with one comment or question you could say to them on the topic of their birthday.
"You're so lucky that your birthday is next week!"
"What are you doing for your birthday?"
"Are you doing something special for your birthday?"
If I change the topic too quickly, it can feel________ for the others in the conversation.
confusing, uncomfortable
Start a conversation with someone about a vacation you want to go on.
You started a conversation.
Being aware of others' feelings and interests makes conversations...
go well
successful
feel balanced
feel caring
Your classmate recently got a new dog. Come up with one comment or question you could say to them on the topic of their new dog.
"What's your dog's name?"
"I love dogs!"
"How is it having a new dog at home?"
I can shift to a new topic of conversation when...
the person I am talking with stops responding
there is a pause in the conversation
the person I am talking with starts to look bored
Start a conversation with someone about something you know they like.
You started a conversation about another person's interests.
If you keep talking about things when others are not
interested, they might start to feel...
annoyed
irritated
upset
You know your friend goes to karate after school every week. Come up with one comment or question you could say to them on the topic of karate.
"How do you like karate?"
"How long have you been taking karate?"
"Can you show me a good karate move?"
I can tell when someone is bored with the conversation when they...
look away
stop responding
yawn
start to move away from me
Start a conversation with another player about something you know about them.
You started a conversation about another player.
When I am having a conversation with others, I can tell if they are interested in what I am saying by...
watching their facial expressions
watching their body language
listening to their tone of voice when they talk with me