Conversation Catch Slides
Grade 2 Super Communicators 10-Minute Mini-Lesson
🎾
Conversation Catch!
How to start a friendly talk and keep the ball bouncing back and forth!
1 Throw the Ball (Start)
2 Catch It (Listen)
3 Toss It Back (Ask)
💡
The Secret Rule of Talking
Talking to a friend is like a game of catch!
Keep It Bouncing! 🎉
When someone tosses you a thought, you catch it, add your ideas, and toss it right back!
"Both players get to touch the ball!"
Don't Drop the Ball! 🛑
If you only say "Yeah." or walk away, the game stops. The ball rolls under the couch!
"One-word answers drop the ball!"
Goal: Can we keep the ball bouncing at least 3 times?
STEP 1
How to Throw the First Ball
Initiate the Chat
👀
1. Look
Turn your body and make gentle eye contact with a smile.
👋
2. Say Hi
Use your partner's name: "Hi Maya!" or "Hey Jackson!"
❓
3. Ask a Question
Throw a question they can answer with fun details!
Try these fun starters today:
"What game do you like to play at recess?" "What did you build or draw today?"
STEP 2
The "Catch & Toss Back" Trick
Maintain the Chat
PART 1: CATCH IT!
Answer the question
Add 1 juicy detail so it's interesting!
PART 2: TOSS IT BACK!
Ask a question back
Pass the turn right back to your friend!
🗣️
Say it like this: "I love drawing superhero cats! (Answer) ... What is your favorite thing to draw?"
Quick Toss Words: "How about you?" "What do you think?" "Have you ever tried that?"
CHALLENGE
Did They Keep It Bouncing?
Thumbs Up 👍 or Thumbs Down 👎
CONVERSATION A 👎 DROPPED BALL
Leo: "Hey Sam, did you like the dinosaur book?"
Sam: "Yeah." (Looks at shoes and walks away)
Why did it stop? Sam forgot to toss the ball back!
CONVERSATION B 👍 BOUNCING CHAMPION!
Leo: "Hey Sam, did you like the dinosaur book?"
Sam: "Yes! The T-Rex was huge! Which dino was your favorite?"
Awesome! Sam answered AND tossed a question back!
Second Graders: Notice how Sam kept the conversation alive by asking back!
ACTION
Partner Turn & Talk (2 Minutes)
Timer: 2:00
A
Partner 1 Throws
Pick ONE starter to toss to your partner:
- "What is your favorite snack?"
- "If you could have any pet, what would it be?"
B
Partner 2 Catches
Remember the two steps:
1. Answer with 1 reason or detail!
2. Toss it back: "What about you?"
🎯 Class Challenge: Count 3 bounces between you and your partner! Bounce 1 ➔ Bounce 2 ➔ Bounce 3
🏆 Conversation Champions!
Take these 3 superpower rules with you to recess and lunch!
👋
Rule 1
Throw with a smile and a question!
👂
Rule 2
Catch by listening with your whole body!
🎾
Rule 3
Toss back: Answer and ask "What about you?"
Ready? Let's play Conversation Catch today! 🎾
Conversation Catch Teacher Guide
🎾
Conversation Catch
10-Minute Smartboard Mini-Lesson Guide • Grade 2 Social Communication
Teacher Facilitation
Duration: 10 Min Sharp
The Core Metaphor & Physical Prop Cue
Hold a soft tennis ball or beanbag while teaching. In 2nd grade, social conversations fail because children either drop the ball (1-word answer) or hog the ball (monologue). Remind students: "A real conversation needs at least 3 bounces!"
Minute-by-Minute Smartboard Pacing
Min 0:00–2:00
Slides 1 & 2: The Hook
Toss an imaginary ball to a student in front row. Ask: "If I throw this and you let it roll away, can we play?" Connect throwing/catching to speaking and listening.
Min 2:00–4:00
Slide 3: Step 1 (Throw)
Teach Eye Contact + Name + Open Question. Model body posture: shoulders turned toward partner. Have students choral-repeat: "Look, greet, ask!"
Min 4:00–6:00
Slide 4: Step 2 (Toss Back)
Teach the Answer + Ask Back formula. Practice the quick toss words: "What about you?" and "How about you?" with hand bounce motions.
Min 6:00–8:00
Slide 5: Spot the Drop
Smartboard thumbs check. Read Leo & Sam out loud with drama. Ask: "Why did Conversation A crash?" Class identifies: Sam didn't toss the ball back!
Min 8:00–10:00
Slides 6 & 7: Partner Drill
Knee-to-knee partner practice (90 seconds). Challenge: reach 3 bounces! Signal chime for class freeze, review the 3 Champion Rules on Slide 7.
Common Trap: The 1-Word Dropper
Student answers "Blue" or "Nothing" and stops.
Teacher Fix: Cue the magic phrase: "Add one detail and bounce it back with 'How about you?'"
Common Trap: The Ball Hog
Student talks continuously about their favorite game without stopping.
Teacher Fix: Gentle hand gesture: "Great story! Now pass the ball to your teammate!"
Today's Real-World Transfer Mission (Announce at Door)
"Before we head to lunch/recess, your secret mission is to play Conversation Catch with someone you haven't talked to today. Keep the ball bouncing for 3 turns, then tell me who your catch partner was!"
Grade 2 Oral Language & Social-Emotional Learning Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.A, SL.2.1.B, SL.2.1.C
Conversation Catch Partner Prompts
🎾
Conversation Catch!
Keep the conversational ball bouncing with your partner!
My Name:
Partner:
Step 1: Throw
Say Hi + Ask a Question
➔
Step 2: Catch
Listen + Answer with a Detail
➔
Step 3: Toss Back
Ask: "What about you?"
Starter Toss Cards (Pick one to throw to your partner!)
Pick Any Card
Card 1 • Recess Fun
"What is your favorite game to play at recess or in gym?"
Card 2 • Super Snacks
"If you could invent a brand new snack, what would it taste like?"
Card 3 • Superpower
"Would you rather fly like a bird or be super strong like a bear?"
Card 4 • Dream Pet
"If you could have any animal in the whole world as a pet, what would it be?"
Card 5 • Art & Building
"Do you like building with blocks, coloring, or playing outside more?"
Card 6 • Big Laughs
"What is something that made you giggle or smile this week?"
The 3-Bounce Rally Challenge! Color or check each ball when completed!
🎾 1
First Throw
Partner A asks the question
🎾 2
The Catch & Toss
Partner B answers + asks back
🎾 3
The Grand Return
Partner A answers with detail
Champion Check-In (Did you both do it?)
Looked & smiled Listened carefully Tossed it back!
🎾 Keep the conversation bouncing all day long!
