Start The Convo
Name one appropriate way to start a conversation with a peer
Saying “Hi,” “Hey,” “How are you?” or “What’s up?”
Name one example of nonverbal communication.
Facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, body posture, tone of voice.
What does it mean to stay on topic?
Talking about the same topic as the other person
What is turn-taking during conversation?
Taking turns talking and listening
Is it okay to start a conversation by yelling across the room?
No - it can be rude, disruptive, or embarrassing.
What is a good conversation starter you could use at school?
"How was PE?” or “What are you working on?”
What might crossed arms tell you about how someone is feeling?
They may feel upset, uncomfortable, or not interested.
If someone is talking about school and you talk about movies, is that on-topic or off-topic?
Off topic
Name one way you know that it’s someone else’s turn to talk.
The person stops talking, pauses, looks at you, or asks a question.
Which is a better conversation starter: “I like your shoes” or “I had a good winter break”
“I like your shoes” is the better conversation starter.
You want to talk to someone who is sitting alone at lunch. What could you say?
“Hey, can I sit here?” or “What are you eating?” or “How’s your day going?”
If someone avoids eye contact and gives short answers, what might that mean?
They might be shy, uncomfortable, bored, distracted, or not want to talk.
Give an example of a connected comment... "I went to the zoo this weekend!"
Adding a related comment or question (e.g., “That's cool!,” “What’s your favorite part?”).
What should you do if someone interrupts you?
Politely say “Excuse me,” keep listening until it's your turn again
A peer looks bored while you’re talking. What could you do?
Change the topic, ask a question, shorten your response, or stop talking.
True or False: You should always interrupt to start a conversation.
False — interrupting is not polite; wait for a pause.
How can facial expressions help you understand a conversation?
Facial expressions show emotions like happiness, anger, confusion, or boredom.
Why is it important to make comments that connect to what the other person said?
It helps the conversation make sense and keeps both people interested.
Why is talking too much a problem in conversations?
It doesn’t give others a chance to talk and can make them lose interest.
Is this comment on-topic or off-topic?
“I love pizza.” → “My dog can skateboard.”
Off-topic
Before you start a conversation with someone, how do you know if they are ready to talk?
You look at their body language and what they’re doing to see if they seem available.
They’re not busy or distracted
They look up or make eye contact
Their body is facing you
They aren’t on their phone or talking to someone else
They look relaxed or open (not upset or rushed)
Give one example of body language that shows someone is interested.
Facing the speaker, nodding, making eye contact, smiling.
How can you bring a conversation back on topic if it goes off track?
Ask a question about the topic or make a related comment to bring it back.
How can you politely join a conversation that’s already happening?
Wait for a pause and say something like “Can I add something?” or make a related comment.
Act out good listening skills without using words.
Facing the speaker, nodding, eye contact, staying quiet, reacting with facial expressions.