Chat Champions: Conversation Starter Script

Teacher Script - Session 1: Introduction & Initiation

"Hello! Welcome to our Chat Champions session. Today, we're going to have fun talking and practicing how to start conversations with friends."

Pause and smile at the student to invite engagement.

"First, let's talk about greetings. When you see someone, you might say, 'Hi, how are you today?' Try saying that with me: 'Hi, how are you today?'"

Encourage the student to repeat the greeting. Allow extra time as needed.

"Great job! Now, after greeting, you can ask a question like 'What did you do today?' This is a good way to keep the conversation going. Let's try it together: 'What did you do today?'"

Model slow and clear pronunciation with supportive facial expression and gestures if needed.

"Remember, it's okay to take your time. If you feel nervous or need a break, we can pause for a moment."

Wait for any student response. Offer a smile if the student seems a bit overwhelmed.

"Now, let’s imagine you see a friend and you want to say hello. You can say, 'Hi, I'm [Your Name]. What's your name?' Can you say that with me? 'Hi, I'm [Your Name]. What's your name?'

Give the student time to practice this phrase. Use encouragement such as 'Great job' or 'You're doing really well!'

"Sometimes, when a conversation starts, you might also want to ask how someone is feeling. You can ask, 'Are you happy today?' or 'Do you feel good?'

Pause and check in with the student: "How do you think someone might answer that?"

Allow the student to answer with your support.

"Remember, there is no right or wrong answer. When we talk, we just listen to the other person and share our own thoughts. If you think of something fun to ask, you can always add your own ideas!"

"Let's practice one more time. Imagine you meet a friend, say: 'Hi, how are you today? What fun thing did you do?'

Encourage the student to say the full sentence. After the student repeats, respond with positive reinforcement.

"Excellent work, friend! In our next part of the lesson, we will play a fun game that lets us practice these talking skills even more. I am really proud of you for trying hard today. Keep up the great work!"

Note for Teacher:

• Monitor the student's responses and provide gentle guidance if they struggle.
• Use praise generously to boost the student's confidence and make them feel supported.
• If necessary, repeat phrases slowly and clearly.
• Adapt the script based on the student’s comfort and participation level.

Interactive Conversation Activity

Overview

This activity is designed as a role-playing exercise where the student practices initiating and engaging in conversations in a safe and supportive environment. The teacher will take on different roles (such as a peer, a teacher, or even a guided character) to simulate various social situations.

Activity Steps

1. Warm-Up Discussion:
   

   • Begin with a short discussion about what a conversation is. Ask the student questions like, "What do we say when we meet someone?" or "How do you think someone feels when you say hello?"
     
     
     
     
     
     

2. Role-Playing Setup:
   

   • Explain to the student that you will play a character who is meeting them for the first time. Ask the student to greet you as they would a friend.
     
   • Use a prompt such as: "Hi, I'm [Teacher's Name]. What's your name?" and encourage a repeated response.
     
     
     
     
     
     

3. Guided Conversation Practice:
   

   • Use cues from the Conversation Starter Script to help the student practice one-on-one. For example: "Hi, how are you today?" followed by a question like, "What did you do today?"
     
   • Allow plenty of time for the student to pause, think, and respond.
     
     
     
     
     
     

4. Switch Roles:
   

   • Invite the student to choose a role, such as a friendly character they like, and ask you a question. This turns the tables and lets the student lead parts of the conversation.
     
     
     
     
     
     

5. Reinforce Key Points:
   

   • Pause periodically to highlight effective conversation skills like making eye contact, asking questions, and listening to responses.
     
   • Use positive reinforcement to encourage effort and success.

Follow-Up Questions for Reflection

• What did you like most about talking with your friend (teacher's role) today?
  
• How did you feel when you asked your friend a question?
  
• Is there anything you might do differently next time? Why?

Teacher Notes:

• Ensure the activity is flexible; the conversation can be adjusted to suit the student's pace. Use gentle prompts and reframe questions if necessary.
  
• Recognize and celebrate every successful interaction to build the student's confidence in initiating conversations.

Good luck and have fun, Chat Champion!

Conversation Skills Game

Overview

The Conversation Skills Game is a fun and interactive activity designed to help the student practice maintaining a conversation and learning how to close a conversation smoothly. This game uses simple rules and engaging actions to make practicing conversation skills enjoyable and memorable.

Game Setup

• Materials Needed:

  • A set of conversation prompt cards (you can create these with simple questions or topics).
  • A timer or a stopwatch.
  • A small reward token (e.g., a sticker or a token) for encouragement.

• Participants:

  • The teacher and the student (you can adapt the game for more participants if desired).

Game Rules

1. Starting the Conversation:

   • The teacher initiates the conversation with a greeting and a question. For example, "Hi, how are you today?"
   • The student responds and then picks a conversation prompt card.

2. Maintaining the Conversation:

   • The prompt card provides a simple question or topic such as "What is your favorite game?" or "Tell me about your favorite animal."
   • The student uses the prompt card to ask the teacher a question, or adds more details to continue the conversation.
   • The teacher and student take turns sharing and asking follow-up questions.

3. Closing the Conversation:

   • After a few rounds of conversation, use a special "Closing Card" or a specific signal like saying "Goodbye, have a great day!" to smoothly end the conversation.
   • The teacher can guide the student by saying, "It's time to wrap up our chat. Let's say goodbye nicely."

4. Time Challenge:

   • Optionally, use a timer to gently encourage the student to keep the conversation flowing. For example, aim for conversation rounds of 2 minutes, and then signal a change of topic or transition to closing.

5. Reward and Reinforcement:

   • At the end of the game, provide a reward token or verbal praise for the student's effort.
   • Discuss which parts of the conversation went well and what could be practiced a little more next time.

Game Variation

• Role Reversal:
  

  • Allow the student to be the teacher and ask the teacher questions. This helps build confidence in leading a conversation.

• Conversation Challenges:
  

  • Introduce new cards with conversation challenges (e.g., "Ask a question that shows you are listening.") to help the student practice specific conversation strategies.

Teacher Tips:

• Keep the game light, fun, and pressure-free. The focus should be on practice and learning rather than on winning.
• Use praise and gentle guidance throughout the game to celebrate progress and encourage ongoing practice.
• Be prepared to adjust the game rules based on the student's pace and comfort level.

Enjoy the game and have fun building your conversation skills, Chat Champion!

Conversation Worksheet

Welcome to your Conversation Worksheet! This worksheet will help you practice the conversation skills we learned in our sessions. Remember to take your time and do your best.

Part 1: Greeting Someone

1. How do you say hello to a friend? Write or draw your best greeting.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Asking Questions

2. Think of a question you can ask after saying hello. For example, "How are you today?" Write your question below:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Conversation Practice

3. Imagine you are talking with a friend. Write a short conversation that includes a greeting, a question, and an answer. Use the words we practiced.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 4: Reflection

4. Which part of the conversation do you like the most? Why? Write your thoughts below.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Great job practicing, Chat Champion! Keep using these conversation skills with your friends and family.

Reading Passage on Conversation

A Friendly Chat

Once upon a time, there was a small park where children loved to play. In this park, there was a little boy named Alex, who was very friendly. Every day, Alex would go to the park with a smile and say, "Hi, how are you today?" when he met his friends.

One sunny morning, Alex saw a new girl sitting alone on a bench. Alex walked slowly over and greeted her softly, "Hi, I'm Alex. What's your name?" The new girl smiled a little and replied, "I'm Mia." Alex then asked, "What did you do today that made you happy?" Mia thought for a moment and said, "I drew a pretty picture of the park."

Alex listened carefully. He remembered that listening is an important part of a good conversation. Alex said, "That sounds interesting! I love drawing too."

Mia's face lit up with a big smile. They started to talk about their favorite colors and drawings. The conversation made both of them feel happy. They shared their ideas and asked questions about each other's drawings.

By the end of the chat, Alex and Mia had learned that talking kindly and listening well can help new friendships grow. They promised to meet again the next day, ready for more fun conversations.

Think and Talk

Now, think about Alex and Mia's chat. How did a simple greeting start a new friendship? What are some nice questions you can ask to begin a conversation?

Enjoy discussing your ideas about talking and listening with your friends and family!