Slide Deck
Convo Confidence Boost
Building Social Communication Skills for 8th Graders
Welcome the student. Introduce the session title and explain that today’s focus is building confidence in everyday conversations through three key skills.
Agenda & Goals
5 min – Introduction & Goal Setting
15 min – Active Listening Exercise
10 min – Expression Clarity Practice
15 min – Reading Nonverbal Cues
10 min – Reflection & Action Planning
By the end of this session, you will:
• Enhance active listening
• Practice clear expression
• Interpret nonverbal cues
Walk through the agenda and explain each segment’s timing. Emphasize the three goals and how they tie into improved peer connections.
Active Listening
• Listen without taking notes to an audio clip or short story
• Paraphrase the main points back
• Get immediate feedback with the Conversation Confidence Checklist
• Role reversal: student reads while you listen and summarize
Materials:
Active Listening Reflection Worksheet
Play or read the chosen clip/story. After listening, prompt the student to paraphrase. Use the Conversation Confidence Checklist to give feedback on eye contact, nodding, and summarizing.
Clear Expression
• Choose a prompt (e.g., “My favorite school subject is…”)
• Speak for 1 minute, focusing on a clear main idea and supporting detail
• Review volume, pace, and clarity with the Conversation Confidence Checklist
• Repeat with a second prompt aiming for improvement
Material: Conversation Confidence Checklist
Present the opinion prompt and start the timer. After 1 minute, review clarity, volume, pace, and structure using the checklist. Encourage improvement on a second prompt.
Reading Nonverbal Cues
• Use Scenario Cards for Nonverbal Cues Practice
• Role-play each scenario twice: exaggerated vs. realistic cues
• Observe and note:
– Facial expressions
– Posture
– Gestures
• Record observations on the worksheet
Hand out Scenario Cards. Model one scenario with exaggerated cues, then realistic. Ask the student to identify facial expressions, posture, and gestures. Record observations.
Reflect & Plan
• Complete the Active Listening Reflection Worksheet
• Identify strengths and areas to improve
• Set two concrete goals (e.g., maintain eye contact; summarize points)
• Agree on follow-up steps and practice resources
Guide the student through the reflection worksheet. Help them pinpoint two specific, achievable goals. Discuss concrete next steps and resources for practice.
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
• Review today’s key takeaways: listening, clarity, nonverbal cues
• Confirm your two action steps for future conversations
• Resources to keep:
– Conversation Confidence Checklist
– Reflection Worksheet
• Looking forward to seeing your progress!
Summarize the session, reinforce progress, and encourage ongoing practice. Remind the student of materials and schedule a follow-up if possible.
Worksheet
Active Listening Reflection Worksheet
Use this worksheet to reflect on your listening skills during the Active Listening exercise. Be honest and specific in your responses.
1. Self-Rating of Listening Skills
Rate yourself on each skill (1 = Needs Improvement, 5 = Excellent). Then explain why you chose that rating.
- Eye Contact
- Score (1–5): _____
- Explanation:
- Nodding & Nonverbal Cues
- Score (1–5): _____
- Explanation:
- Paraphrasing Main Points
- Score (1–5): _____
- Explanation:
- Avoiding Interruptions
- Score (1–5): _____
- Explanation:
- Asking Clarifying Questions
- Score (1–5): _____
- Explanation:
2. Reflection Prompts
- What aspects of your listening were strongest during the exercise?
- Which part of the listening exercise was most challenging for you? Why?
3. Goal Setting
Based on your self-rating and reflections, set two specific goals to improve your active listening skills. Use the Conversation Confidence Checklist to support your planning.
Goal 1:
Action Step 1:
Goal 2:
Action Step 2:
Keep this worksheet to track your progress and revisit these goals before your next conversation practice session.
Activity
Scenario Cards for Nonverbal Cues Practice
Use these cards to role-play common social situations. For each card:
- Perform the scenario with exaggerated nonverbal cues.
- Perform it again realistically.
- After each role-play, identify cues you observed (facial expression, posture, gestures).
Card 1: A Friend Is Upset
Scenario: Your classmate just got a low grade and looks down at their feet.
- Exaggerated cues: Wide frown, shoulders slumped dramatically, slow heavy sighs.
- Realistic cues: Slight downturned mouth, hunched shoulders, quiet tone.
Card 2: Surprise Compliment
Scenario: You praise a peer’s art project unexpectedly.
- Exaggerated cues: Eyes wide open, mouth dropped, hands thrown to cheeks.
- Realistic cues: Raised eyebrows, small gasp, slight hand-to-chest gesture.
Card 3: Busy Teacher
Scenario: You ask your teacher a question while they’re grading papers.
- Exaggerated cues: Teacher avoiding eye contact completely, crossing arms tightly.
- Realistic cues: Quick glance away, brief pause in writing, polite tone.
Card 4: Sharing a Joke
Scenario: You tell a funny story to a friend.
- Exaggerated cues: Friend leaning forward laughing hard, head thrown back.
- Realistic cues: Genuine smile, small chuckle, slight body lean.
Card 5: Hesitant Invitation
Scenario: You invite someone to join your study group.
- Exaggerated cues: Friend shifts weight dramatically, arms folded across chest.
- Realistic cues: Slight shoulder shrug, subtle head tilt, soft “uh…” sound.
Card 6: Good News Reaction
Scenario: You share you made the soccer team.
- Exaggerated cues: Big grin, pumping fists, jumping in place.
- Realistic cues: Warm smile, upright posture, enthusiastic tone.
Keep your observations on the accompanying worksheet:
Active Listening Reflection Worksheet to note which cues were easiest or hardest to interpret.
Worksheet
Conversation Confidence Checklist
Use this checklist during your conversation activities to track key communication behaviors. After each activity, check the box that best describes your performance and add any notes.
| Behavior | Yes | Sometimes | No | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Maintained eye contact | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | |
| 2. Used nods and facial cues | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | |
| 3. Listened without interrupting | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | |
| 4. Paraphrased or summarized points | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | |
| 5. Asked clarifying questions | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | |
| 6. Spoke with clear main idea & detail | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | |
| 7. Used appropriate volume & pace | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | |
| 8. Demonstrated open posture | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | |
| 9. Recognized partner’s nonverbal cues | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | |
| 10. Maintained polite tone & language | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
Reflection Notes
What went well?
What could be improved next time?
Set one goal based on this checklist:
Action step to reach this goal:
Lesson Plan
Social Communication Skills Lesson Plan
Students will enhance active listening, express thoughts clearly, and interpret nonverbal cues through guided role-plays and self-reflection exercises.
Strong social communication skills boost peer relationships, increase self-confidence, and support academic and personal success by helping students connect meaningfully with others.
Audience
8th Grade
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Targeted role-plays with feedback and reflection.
Materials
Active Listening Reflection Worksheet, Scenario Cards for Nonverbal Cues Practice, and Conversation Confidence Checklist
Prep
Lesson Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Introduction & Goal Setting
5 minutes
Step 2
Active Listening Exercise
15 minutes
Step 3
Expression Clarity Practice
10 minutes
Step 4
Interpreting Nonverbal Cues
15 minutes
Step 5
Reflection & Action Planning
10 minutes