By: Rebecca Johnson
This month in our social emotional learning lessons, we are beginning the unit on Communication. Throughout this unit, students will have the opportunity to learn about effective conversational strategies and will practice those strategies with their peers. Below you find more information on which communication strategies your student will be working on during these lessons. You will also find activity ideas in which you can do at home with your student to support their learning.
Preschool – Second Grade
· Concepts and Ideas
o Listening to Others thoughtfully and carefully allows students to gain information and develop vocabulary, comprehension, and oral language skills. Active listening including using our whole body: Eyes looking, ears listening, mouth quiet, body still.
o Responding to Others is essential to maintaining conversations. Students will practice reciprocal communication—or "talking back and forth"—with their peers as they take turns listening, thinking about what was said, and responding appropriately.
o Being Assertive allows people to have their ideas, desires, and needs addressed. In this unit, students will develop self-confidence as they learn when and how to "Speak Up and Speak Kindly" using a strong, respectful voice.
· Activities to Support Learning
- Tell your child when you notice him or her listening carefully and point out specifically how you knew that he or she was listening.
- Choose a topic that is interesting to both of you, note the time, and see how long you can continue a conversation with each other.
- Encourage your child to feel comfortable speaking up by purposefully asking for his or her opinions and ideas.
- Tell your child when you notice him or her using a strong, respectful voice and kind words when speaking up.
Third Grade – Sixth Grade
· Concepts and Ideas
o Communication Boosters are effective communication strategies. These skills help students create more positive peer interactions and improve their ability to work in groups, such as listening and supporting.
o Communication Bloopers are ineffective communication behaviors which prevent us from working well in groups. Common bloopers include interrupting and ignoring. When students become aware of Communication Bloopers, they can catch themselves when they “bloop” and instead use effective communication strategies.
· Activities to Support Learning
- Watch your child’s favorite TV show together and record how often specific characters display Bloopers or Boosters. Discuss how they influence the way the characters think, feel, and behave, and how they affect their interactions with others.
