Overview - COMMUNICATION BOX
This box of 1,000 questions is guaranteed to get students talking to you and to each other. Created by Ellen McPeek Glisan, this creative and engaging activity set is designed to teach students how to be active participants in conversations at school, home, and in the community. Focusing on the fine art of conversation, the author explains how with a little effort and know-how, a person can participate in most kinds of conversations.
Each of the 200 "Speak Your Mind" cards has five open-ended questions on interesting, age appropriate topics. They can be used in order or pulled at random. The questions give students the opportunity to offer more than just "yes," "no," or "I don't know" answers. The cards are packaged in a sturdy, compact box.
The Teacher's Manual provides methods and tips for turning the starters into successful conversation.
Objectives
-Given a conversation starter question, a student will answer the question in an interesting way and will, when possible, expand upon the answer in a way that will help keep the conversation going.
-Given an unfamiliar topic, the student will counter with a question in an effort to keep the conversation going.
-When asked for an opinion, feeling, or thought, the student will quickly respond.
-Listening to other students answering questions and discussing, the student will learn to accept that people think differently.
-Students will learn to be proud of their opinions.
-Students will get to know each other better.
-Students will learn much about the world around them due to the broad range of questions.
Samples of the "Speak Your Mind" questions are as follows:
Do you like winter or summer best?
Are you good at saving money?
Should pets be allowed in hotels?
Have you ever snow skied?
Do you have a hard time taking tests?
Have you ever ridden a horse?
Do people often have a problem spelling your first name?
What will be the best thing about graduating from high school?
Have you ever fallen asleep in school?
How often should laundry be done?
What do you think is the perfect age in life?
What is the one thing you do well that helps you get along with your friends?
Have you ever had water from a well?
Would you like to move to a different city?
What do you think about when you are in an elevator?
What is the one thing that makes you nervous?
What is your favorite nighttime TV show?
If you could be anything in this world, what would you want to be?
Plus hundreds more.
Special Features
The instruction guide covers "Suggested Rules," which address such potential problems as how to handle unacceptable answers, inappropriate talk, rude comments, or ridicule. "Teaching Suggestions" include rewording a question to make it more appropriate to your class, and using your discretion in skipping bothersome, offensive, or potentially trouble-causing questions.
About the Author
Ellen McPeek Glisan has an M.S. in learning disabilities and started teaching in a cross-categorical classroom in a small rural Northern Illinois junior-senior high school. Writing complete programs that had a clear purpose in the lives of her students became her passion. She has created an entire line of School-to-Work materials for both regular and special education classrooms for children and adults.