You sit down at a new lunch table. The group goes quiet for a moment.
What might they be thinking? What’s an appropriate way to start conversation?
You start talking loudly about a friend’s personal issue in front of others. They look embarrassed and glance around.
What cues suggest how they feel? What should you do?
You post a comment online, and someone replies, “Okay…”
What different meanings could that response have? How would you decide what to do next?
You’re talking to a friend, but the bell is about to ring and they start packing up quickly.
What cues tell you they may want to end the conversation? What’s an appropriate way to wrap it up?
You grab a pencil from someone’s desk without asking, and they frown.
What might they be thinking? What should you do next?
You interrupt two peers mid-sentence because you’re excited to share something. They stop talking and look annoyed.
What might they be feeling? How could you fix the situation?
Your friend is quiet, giving short answers, and looking down.
What clues tell you how they might be feeling? What could you say that would be supportive?
A friend jokingly says, “You’re always late,” and laughs. You’re not sure if they’re joking.
What contextual clues would help you decide? How could you respond appropriately?
Two classmates are talking about their part of a group assignment. You want to join.
How can you tell if it’s a good time to join? What could you say to enter the conversation appropriately?
A teacher says, “Let’s try that again,” in a neutral tone after your presentation.
What might the teacher be thinking? What’s an appropriate response?
Your friends are talking about the upcoming football game, and you suddenly switch the topic to a video game you like. They stop responding.
What might they be thinking? How could you repair the conversation?
You’re standing very close to a peer while talking in the hallway. They take a step back and look uncomfortable.
What might they be thinking or feeling? What would be an appropriate response?
You share an idea in a small group, and no one responds. They continue talking to each other.
What might be happening? What’s an appropriate next step?
A peer says, “Wow, that was soooo fast,” after you took a long time to finish. They are smiling slightly.
What clues suggest how they really feel? How should you respond?
You share your opinion in class, and a peer says, “I don’t agree with that.”
What might their tone and words suggest? What’s an appropriate way to respond?