Finding engaging lessons that address teen interpersonal skills and prepare them for life can take educators many directions. We recently teamed up with seasoned Family and Consumer Science Teacher Melissa Priester to present a webinar on how she’s teaching teen interpersonal skills in her classroom.
During this free presentation, Melissa shared the activities she uses to connect with her students and help them learn to practice self-reflection and gratitude. Here are the ideas Melissa shared with us.
Idea: Start each semester by signing a privacy pledge
It’s important that your students understand that what happens in your classroom will stay in your classroom. Make sure your students understand that privacy is valued. After all, when you start talking about real life, many stories can come out. It’s vital that your students know they’re safe, that they can speak openly and that their views will be respected. Having your students sign a privacy pledge will ensure they understand your expectations around privacy, and that you value their well-being.
Idea: Daily Journals
Journaling for a few minutes at the start of every class lets each student disconnect – from technology, from what just happened in the hall, from what happened last period, etc. Journaling will give your students a few minutes to center themselves and be present in the current class. They can become present in your current class and prepare to tackle the topic of the day.
Idea: “Who Am I?” Letter
At the beginning of each semester, Melissa asks her students to write a letter to her that describes, in detail, life events that have impacted their lives and made them the person she sees in front of her. She asks them to include details that make them unique – their likes, dislikes, major life experiences – whatever they’re comfortable sharing. These letters will give you a deeper look into who your students are. The information shared can help you address sensitive topics, so you can steer the conversation and hit on certain topics that might be impactful for a particular student. Melissa also uses these letters to know when she might need to pull a student aside to warn them of a forthcoming topic of discussion.
Idea: “Family in Crisis” Reflection Activity
This can be done with anything that’s breakable – flower pots, plates, mugs, etc. – anything that’s big enough to write on. Give every student a clay flower pot or plate and instruct them to write, in permanent marker, what makes their family strong. They can also write positive words that describe their family. The next day, place the items in a sealed paper bag and have each student stand up and drop them onto a hard surface. Then, have them put the objects back together with tape or any other available item.
The final day, conduct a “family in crisis” reflection. Encourage your students to consider how they felt breaking their object, and how the broken pieces are like the problems families encounter.
Other reflection questions include:
- Why were some plates not able to be mended? ?How is this similar to our families in crisis?
- What conclusions can you draw from this experience in regard to families?
“My students love this – they could have spent an entire week decorating their plates,” said Melissa. “The moment they realize they had to break this item they spent so much time on is so impactful. After the reflection day is over, they remember this activity. My students still talk about it with me to this day.”
Idea: Gratitude Letters
Having your students consider people who have made an impact on them, and thank them for that impact, allows them to make real-world connections with the people in their lives. Melissa recommends having students hand-write a 1- to 2-page letter, then address and mail the letters themselves.
Gratitude letter ideas include:
- Letter to a friend or classmate who has made a positive influence on you
- Letter to a teacher, coach, boss or authority figure who has influenced you
- Letter to a family member who has had a positive influence on you
Use the letters to facilitate discussions on people who have impacted their lives.
Idea: Family Challenges Brainstorm
Give each student 5-7 sticky notes on which to write topics that cause stress in families (without adding their names). The next day, arrange all of the notes on the board in groups. When students see that their family isn’t the only one struggling with finances or facing a separation, they’ll realize they are not alone.
Idea: Family Terminology Brainstorm
This brainstorming activity is a good way to help you introduce important terms for the types of people who influence your students’ lives. Instruct your students to give you their definitions of the following terms. Conduct a large-group discussion of how to be a good friend and how to back away from a bad friend.
Terms include:
- Good friend
- Toxic friend
- Great friend
- Bully
Many students don’t even realize the difference between a good friend and a great friend, or a toxic friend or a bully. This activity will get your students involved in the discussion and get them thinking about the real-life impact of these terms.
Learn more
- Watch our entire webinar, “Teen Interpersonal Skills for Life: Engaging Lessons for the Classroom.”
- Check out this blog on classroom kits and soft skills – we think they’re a perfect match!
- Download our free guide, “5 Lessons to Incorporate Social-Emotional Learning Into the Classroom,” to address the core competencies of Social-Emotional Learning in your classroom.
How are you teaching teen interpersonal skills in your classroom? Share your feedback in the comments below.
