Rapport Building Script

Warm-Up: What Makes a Friend? (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Hi [Student's Name]! Thanks for joining me today. We're going to talk about something super important: how we connect with people and make them feel comfortable. To start, I want you to think about this: What makes someone easy to talk to? What makes you feel comfortable with someone new?"

Teacher: "Those are great ideas! It sounds like feeling safe, understood, and interested in is really important. Today, we're going to learn about something called 'rapport building' which helps us do just that."

Introduction to Rapport Building (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Let's look at these Rapport Building Slides together. (Advance to Slide 1) See? 'Connecting with Others!' Have you ever heard the word 'rapport' before?"

Teacher: "No worries if not! It's a fancy word for something we all do, or want to do. (Advance to Slide 2) Rapport is all about making a connection, building trust, and feeling comfortable with someone. It makes conversations easy and fun! Think of it like building a bridge between you and another person."

Teacher: "How do you think we build that bridge? What are some things we do with our bodies or with our words?"

Teacher: "Excellent thoughts! You've already got some great ideas. Let's break it down into two main types of signals we send: non-verbal and verbal.

(Advance to Slide 3) First, 'Your Body Talks!' These are things we do without even speaking. Can you tell me what you see listed here?"

Teacher: "Spot on! Let's talk about them. Eye contact: It doesn't mean staring, but looking at someone when they're talking to show you're listening. Open body language: What do you think that means?"

Teacher: "Exactly! Facing them, uncrossing your arms, looking relaxed. It shows you're open to the conversation. Nodding shows you're following along, and a friendly smile can make anyone feel welcome. These little actions make a big difference!"

Teacher: "(Advance to Slide 4) Next, 'Words That Connect!' These are the things we say. The first one is active listening. That means you're not just hearing the words, but you're really trying to understand what the other person is saying. How do you think you can show someone you're actively listening with your words?"

Teacher: "Fantastic! Asking questions that show you're interested is a great way. Instead of just saying 'okay,' you might ask 'Oh, really? What happened next?' or 'That sounds interesting, tell me more!' This shows you care and want to know more about them."

Guided Practice: Role-Play Scenarios (15 minutes)

Teacher: "(Advance to Slide 5) Now, for the fun part: 'Practice Makes Perfect!' Rapport building is a skill, and like riding a bike or playing a game, the more you practice, the better you get. We're going to do some role-playing with these Role-Play Scenarios Activity. I'll give you a scenario, and we can take turns playing different people. We can try out some of these non-verbal and verbal cues we just discussed."

• (Facilitate the role-playing activity. Provide clear instructions for each scenario. Model appropriate behavior and offer constructive feedback. Encourage the student to try different techniques.)

Cool-Down: Reflection (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Great job with the role-playing! That takes courage and practice. To wrap up, let's look at our Rapport Reflection Cool-Down. I want you to think about these questions: What did you learn about building rapport today? And how can you use these skills in your own life, maybe with a new classmate or a teacher?"

Teacher: "Those are wonderful insights. Remember, building rapport doesn't happen overnight, but by using these tools, you're on your way to making stronger, happier connections with everyone around you. Keep practicing, and I'm confident you'll see great results!"

Role-Play Scenarios Activity: Building Bridges

Instructions: Let's practice building rapport! We will take turns playing different people in these scenarios. Try to use the verbal and non-verbal cues we just talked about (eye contact, open body language, asking questions, active listening, smiling).

Scenario 1: New Student in Class

Situation: You see a new student sitting alone during lunch. You want to introduce yourself and make them feel welcome.

• Your Role: A friendly classmate.
• Other Role (Teacher): The new student who is a little shy.

What would you say or do to start the conversation and build rapport?

Scenario 2: Group Project Partner

Situation: You've been assigned a group project with someone you don't know very well. You need to work together effectively.

• Your Role: A collaborative student.
• Other Role (Teacher): Your project partner who seems a bit quiet.

How would you approach them to discuss the project and build a good working relationship?

Scenario 3: Asking a Teacher for Help

Situation: You are struggling with a topic in class and need to ask your teacher for extra help after school.

• Your Role: A student seeking assistance.
• Other Role (Teacher): Your teacher, who is busy preparing for the next class.

What would you say and how would you present yourself to clearly ask for help and show respect for their time?

Scenario 4: Meeting a Friend's Parent

Situation: You're at your friend's house, and their parent comes home. You want to make a good first impression.

• Your Role: Your friend's polite guest.
• Other Role (Teacher): Your friend's parent.

How would you greet them and engage in a short conversation to be respectful and friendly?

Rapport Reflection: Connecting with Confidence

Instructions: Take a few moments to think about what we discussed and practiced today. Your honest thoughts help you learn and grow!

Question 1

What is one new thing you learned about building rapport today?

Question 2

Think about the verbal cues (what you say) and non-verbal cues (what your body does). Which one do you think you're already pretty good at, and which one might need a little more practice?

• I'm good at:
  
  
  
• I want to practice:
  
  
  

Question 3

Imagine you meet someone new next week. What is one specific thing you will try to do to build rapport with them?