Keep Conversation Script

1. Warm-Up Discussion (5 minutes)

Teacher (smiling, welcoming):
“Good morning, everyone! Today we are going to learn how to keep conversations going. That means asking questions and making comments so people want to keep talking with you.”

Teacher:
“How do you know when someone wants to keep talking?”

Pause for 2–3 student responses. Write key ideas on the board (for example: nodding, smiling, saying “really?”).

Teacher (pointing to board):
“Great! So if someone nods and says ‘That’s cool!’ they probably want to talk more, right?”
Wait for a thumbs-up or nod.

Teacher (transitioning):
“Perfect. Those are signs someone wants to keep talking. Now let’s learn three skills that help us do that: WH-questions, follow-up questions, and connected comments.”

2. Introduce WH-Questions (10 minutes)

Teacher:
“First, WH-questions. I’ll show you a slide.”
Display Slide 3 from Keep Conversation Slides.

Teacher (reading slide):
“WH-questions are questions that begin with: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.”

Teacher (pointing to each word):
“Let’s say them together. Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?”

Have students repeat each word aloud.

Teacher (showing examples):
“Now look at some dialogues.”
Display Slide 4 from Keep Conversation Slides.

Teacher (reading first example):
“A says: ‘I love pizza.’ B asks: ‘What is your favorite topping?’
Which WH-word starts this question?”

Student: “What.”
Teacher: “Yes, ‘What’.”

Teacher (next example):
“A: ‘I watched a movie.’ B: ‘When did you see it?’
Which word starts that question?”

Student responds.
Teacher: “Exactly.”

Teacher (practice):
“Now it’s your turn. Display Slide 5 from Keep Conversation Slides. Think of something you did this morning. Write or ask a WH-question about it.”

After 1 minute, invite 2–3 volunteers to share their questions.

Teacher:
“Great questions! You’re doing awesome.”

3. Teach Follow-Up Questions (10 minutes)

Teacher:
“Next, follow-up questions. These build on what someone just said. Watch.”
Display Slide 6 from Keep Conversation Slides.

Teacher (reading):
“Follow-up questions show you’re listening and curious.”

Teacher (examples):
“Display Slide 7 from Keep Conversation Slides.

• ‘You like pizza. What’s your favorite topping?’
• ‘You went to a concert. Who did you see perform?’
• ‘She travels a lot. Which country was your favorite?’”

Teacher:
“What do you notice about these questions? They all start after someone gave information, right?”

Allow 1–2 responses.

Teacher (practice):
“Now, display Slide 8 from Keep Conversation Slides.
Your partner says, ‘I read a book.’ What follow-up question can you ask?”

After 1 minute, ask:
“Who wants to share a follow-up question? Yes?”

Teacher:
“Nice! That’s exactly how we show we’re listening.”

4. Practice Connected Comments (10 minutes)

Teacher:
“Now let’s learn connected comments. These are statements that relate to what someone just said.”
Display Slide 9 from Keep Conversation Slides.

Teacher (reading):
“Connected comments show you’re interested and paying attention.”

Teacher (examples):
“Display Slide 10 from Keep Conversation Slides.

• ‘I love hiking too!’
• ‘That game sounds fun!’
• ‘My favorite color is blue also.’”

Teacher:
“Why do these keep the conversation going? Yes, because they show we share the interest.”

Teacher (practice):
“Display Slide 11 from Keep Conversation Slides.
Your partner says, ‘I enjoy painting.’ Make a connected comment.”

Invite 1–2 students to share.

Teacher:
“Excellent! That keeps the talk flowing.”

5. Role-Play and Group Discussion (10 minutes)

Teacher:
“Now we’ll put all three skills together. Here’s your worksheet.”
Hand out the Follow-Up Questions Worksheet.

Teacher:
“Find a partner. I’ll display the role-play slide.”
Display Slide 12 from Keep Conversation Slides.

Teacher (reading):
“In your pairs:

1. Ask a WH-question
2. Use a follow-up question
3. Make a connected comment
   Keep talking for two minutes.”

Set a timer for 2 minutes. Circulate, prompt pairs, and give positive feedback.

Teacher (after timer):
“Great job! Let’s come back together.”

Teacher (use guide):
“Using the Conversation Discussion Guide:

• What question did you like best?
• Which comment felt most natural?”

Call on 2–3 students for each question.

Teacher:
“Wonderful sharing!”

6. Closing (1 minute)

Display Slide 13 from Keep Conversation Slides.

Teacher (smiling):
“You practiced WH-questions, follow-up questions, and connected comments. Keep using these skills when you talk with friends and family. Great job today!”

Follow-Up Questions Worksheet

Part 1: WH-Questions

For each statement below, write a WH-question you can ask to learn more.

1. "I traveled on a plane last week."
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. "I cooked dinner for my family."
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. "I listened to music yesterday."
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Follow-Up Questions

For each statement below, write a follow-up question that builds on what they said.

1. "I like hiking in the mountains."
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. "I watched a football game."
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. "I painted a picture."
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Connected Comments

For each statement below, write a comment that shows you share an interest or care about what they said.

1. "I love dancing."
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. "I have two cats."
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. "I enjoy baking brownies."
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 4: Role-Play Reflection

After your partner role-play, write down the WH-question, follow-up question, and connected comment you used.


What WH-question did you ask?






What follow-up question did you ask?






What connected comment did you make?

Use this worksheet during your pair practice, then discuss your favorite questions and comments using the Conversation Discussion Guide.

Conversation Discussion Guide

Use this guide to debrief the role-play activity and help students reflect on how they used WH-questions, follow-up questions, and connected comments.

1. Set the Stage (1 minute)

• Invite students to sit in a circle or face the whole group.
• Remind them: “We just practiced keeping conversations going. Now let’s talk about how it went!”

2. Main Discussion Questions (5 minutes)

1. What question did you like best?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Prompt: “Which WH-question felt easy or fun to ask?”
2. Which follow-up question showed you were listening?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Prompt: “Why do you think it helped the talk keep going?”
3. What connected comment felt most natural to share?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Prompt: “How did the other person react when you said it?”

3. Follow-Up Prompts (optional)

• “Can you tell us more about that question or comment?”
• “How did it make you feel when your partner asked that?”
• “Did anything surprise you during your conversation?”

4. Group Reflection (3 minutes)

• Ask: “Which skill—WH-questions, follow-up questions, or connected comments—do you want to practice more?”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Encourage students to set one goal:
  “I will try to ask more ___ next time.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

5. Next Steps

• Remind students to use the Follow-Up Questions Worksheet to track their progress.
• Encourage them to notice these skills in real conversations with friends, family, or classmates.

Great job reflecting together!
Use this guide regularly to build confidence and awareness in your conversation skills.

Conversation Skills Data Sheet

Use this sheet to track each student’s use of WH-questions, follow-up questions, and connected comments during activities.

Teacher: ____________________ Date: _______________

How to use:

• Mark ✔ if the student successfully asked or made the skill; ✘ if they did not.
• Use “Notes” for prompts needed, next-step goals, or strengths.

Refer back to this sheet when planning supports or celebrating progress in conversation skills.