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lenny

Chatting Back & Forth

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ariley

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Chatting Back & Forth

Students will be able to identify and practice key elements of reciprocal conversation, specifically turn-taking and staying on topic.

Effective communication is vital for building friendships, working in groups, and understanding others. This lesson helps students develop these foundational skills for positive social interactions.

Audience

4th Grade (functioning at 1st Grade level)

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction, visual aids, guided practice, and interactive activities.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Chatting Back & Forth Slide Deck, Conversation Starters Worksheet, and Conversation Cubes Activity Guide

Prep

Preparation Steps

10 minutes

  • Review the Chatting Back & Forth Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
  • Print enough copies of the Conversation Starters Worksheet for each student.
  • Prepare materials for the Conversation Cubes Activity Guide (e.g., paper cubes, topics written on slips).
  • Ensure projector/whiteboard is ready.
  • Review all generated materials as needed, especially the Script for talking points and instructions for students to complete their Conversation Starters Worksheet and participate in the Conversation Cubes Activity Guide.

Step 1

Introduction: What is Conversation?

2 minutes

  • Begin by asking students what they think a conversation is. (1 minute)
  • Introduce the idea of
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Slide Deck

Let's Talk!

What is a conversation?
Why do we have conversations?

Welcome students and introduce the topic of conversation. Ask open-ended questions to get them thinking.

Chatting Back & Forth

A conversation is like a game of catch!
One person talks, then the other talks.
It goes back and forth!

Introduce reciprocal conversation as a 'back and forth' exchange. Emphasize that it's like a game of catch.

Rule #1: Take Turns

Just like in a game, everyone gets a turn.
Don't talk over others.
Listen when others are talking.

Explain the first rule: taking turns. Use a simple analogy.

Rule #2: Stay on Topic

Talk about the same thing!
If someone is talking about their pet dog, don't suddenly talk about pizza.
Keep your ideas connected.

Explain the second rule: staying on topic. Give a clear example.

Practice Time: Conversation Starters

We're going to practice taking turns and staying on topic.
Use your worksheet to guide your conversations.
Remember to listen and respond!

Introduce the worksheet activity. Explain how it connects to the lesson.

Game Time: Conversation Cubes

Now for a fun game!
Roll the cube and talk about the topic.
Remember our rules: take turns and stay on topic!

Explain the Conversation Cubes Activity as a fun way to practice. Provide clear instructions.

Review: Our Conversation Rules

What did we learn about good conversations?

  1. Take Turns
  2. Stay on Topic

These rules help us be good friends and good listeners!

Summarize the key takeaways from the lesson. Ask students what they learned.

Keep Chatting!

Practice these skills every day!
Good conversations make everyone feel happy and heard.

End with an encouraging message about practicing conversation skills.

lenny

Script

Chatting Back & Forth Script

Introduction: What is Conversation? (2 minutes)

(Slide 1: Let's Talk!)

"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something we all do every single day: conversations! Who can tell me, what do you think a conversation is? What does it mean to 'talk to someone'?"




"Great ideas! A conversation is when two or more people talk together. We share ideas, ask questions, and listen to each other. Why do you think it's important to have good conversations?"




"Exactly! Good conversations help us make friends, learn new things, and understand how others are feeling."

Understanding Reciprocal Conversation (5 minutes)

(Slide 2: Chatting Back & Forth)

"Now, sometimes conversations can be tricky. Have you ever tried to talk to someone, and it felt like only one person was talking? Or maybe someone kept talking about something totally different from what you were saying?"

"Today, we're going to learn about reciprocal conversation. That's a big phrase, but it just means 'chatting back and forth.' Think of it like playing catch with a ball!"

"When you play catch, one person throws the ball, and the other person catches it, right? Then the catcher throws it back. It goes back and forth. A good conversation is just like that!"

(Slide 3: Rule #1: Take Turns)

"Our first rule for chatting back and forth is: Take Turns. Just like in catch, everyone gets a turn to talk. We don't want to throw two balls at once, and we don't want to keep the ball forever, do we?"

"Taking turns means:

  • One person talks, then stops, and lets the other person talk.
  • We don't talk over others.
  • We listen when others are talking. That's how we know when it's our turn to 'throw the ball' back!"

(Slide 4: Rule #2: Stay on Topic)

"Our second rule for chatting back and forth is: Stay on Topic. Imagine you're playing catch, and someone suddenly throws a banana instead of a ball! That would be confusing, right?"

"Staying on topic means talking about the same thing. If your friend is telling you about their favorite animal, you should talk about animals, or ask more about their animal. Don't suddenly start talking about what you had for breakfast, even if breakfast is yummy!"

"Keeping your ideas connected helps everyone follow along and feel understood."

Guided Practice: Conversation Starters (5 minutes)

(Slide 5: Practice Time: Conversation Starters)

"Now, let's practice! I'm going to give you a Conversation Starters Worksheet. You'll work with a partner. One person will ask a question from the worksheet, and the other will answer. Then, you'll try to keep the conversation going by asking another question or sharing a related idea. Remember our two rules: Take Turns and Stay on Topic!"

"I'll give you about 3 minutes for this, then we'll try something else."

(Distribute Conversation Starters Worksheet. Circulate and provide support as students practice. Offer prompts like, "What else could you ask about that?" or "Now it's your turn to ask a question.")

Activity: Conversation Cubes (3 minutes)

(Slide 6: Game Time: Conversation Cubes)

"Alright, let's try a fun game called Conversation Cubes Activity Guide! In your pairs, you'll each get a paper cube with different topics on it. One person will roll their cube, and then start a sentence about the topic that lands face up. The other person will respond, keeping the conversation going and staying on topic! Then, switch roles."

"Again, remember to Take Turns and Stay on Topic! This is a quick one, just for 2 minutes to get those conversation muscles working!"

(Distribute Conversation Cubes. Circulate and observe, offering gentle reminders about turn-taking and staying on topic.)

Wrap-up & Review (Optional - if time permits)

(Slide 7: Review: Our Conversation Rules)

"Excellent job, everyone! We've learned some really important things today. What were our two big rules for having a good conversation?"




"Yes! Take Turns and Stay on Topic!"

(Slide 8: Keep Chatting!)

"These rules will help you be a great friend and a great listener. Keep practicing these skills every day! The more you practice, the easier and more fun conversations will become. Thank you!"

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Conversation Starters Worksheet

Name: _____________________________

Instructions: With a partner, take turns asking and answering these questions. Remember to take turns and stay on topic!

  1. What is your favorite animal and why?


  2. What is your favorite thing to do outside?


  3. What did you do over the weekend?


  4. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?


  5. What is your favorite food to eat?


Bonus Challenge: After answering a question, ask your partner a follow-up question about their answer! For example, if they say their favorite animal is a cat, you could ask, "Do you have a cat at home?"

lenny
lenny

Activity

Conversation Cubes Activity Guide

Goal: To practice taking turns and staying on topic in a fun, interactive way.

Materials Needed:

  • Paper or cardstock to make cubes (or actual dice/blocks)
  • Markers or pens
  • Scissors and tape/glue (if making paper cubes)

Preparation:

  1. Make the Cubes (if needed): If you don't have existing cubes or blocks, you can create simple paper cubes. You'll need two cubes per pair of students.
  2. Write Topics: On each side of two cubes, write simple conversation topics. Make sure the topics are easy for 1st-grade level students to understand and discuss briefly. Here are some examples:
    • Cube 1 Topics:
      • My favorite color is...
      • I like to play...
      • If I had a pet, it would be a...
      • My favorite snack is...
      • Something fun I did was...
      • I feel happy when...
    • Cube 2 Topics:
      • My favorite book is...
      • I like to watch...
      • My best friend is good at...
      • I wish I could go to...
      • The weather I like best is...
      • One thing I'm good at is...

Instructions for Students (Pairs):

  1. Each partner will have one Conversation Cube.
  2. Partner A rolls their cube. Whatever topic lands face up, Partner A starts a sentence about that topic.
    • Example: If the cube says "My favorite color is...", Partner A might say, "My favorite color is blue because it reminds me of the ocean."
  3. Partner B listens carefully. Then, Partner B responds to what Partner A said, keeping the conversation going on the same topic. They can ask a question or share a related idea.
    • Example: Partner B might say, "I like blue too! Have you ever been to the ocean?"
  4. After Partner B responds, it's Partner A's turn to continue the conversation on the same topic, or ask Partner B a related question.
  5. After a few sentences (2-3 turns each), the partners switch roles. Partner B rolls their cube and starts a new topic, and Partner A responds.

Remember our Conversation Rules!

  • Take Turns: Don't talk over your partner. Wait for your turn.
  • Stay on Topic: Keep talking about the same thing until you roll a new topic.
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lenny