The Talk Engine Slides The Talk Engine
Why we talk and what it's all about!
Talk Trackers: Lesson 1
What is a Conversation?
It's like a game of Catch . People pass information back and forth.
It needs at least 2 people working together.
The 4 Big Reasons
Get Info
Asking questions to learn something new.
For Fun
Joking, playing, or just being with friends.
Share Info
Telling someone about your day or ideas.
Connect
Checking in on how someone is feeling.
Scenario 1
"Hey Leo, do you know what page the math homework is on?"
Why are they talking?
For Fun
To Get Info
Scenario 2
"I built a giant castle in Minecraft yesterday. It has a secret basement!"
Why are they talking?
To Share Info
To Connect
Scenario 3
"What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh!" *Laughs*
Why are they talking?
For Fun
To Get Info
Scenario 4
"You look a little sad. Are you doing okay today?"
Why are they talking?
Share Info
To Connect
Scenario 5
"I really liked that movie we watched! Which character was your favorite?"
Why are they talking?
Share Info
Get Info
Can it be both?
Rapid Review
Q1
Does a conversation work with only 1 person?
Q2
What's one reason people talk to each other?
Q3
Is talking to a teacher for "Info" or "Fun"? (Or both?)
The Talk Engine Worksheet The Talk Engine
Talk Trackers: Worksheet 1.1
Name:
Date:
1
What is a Conversation?
Circle the image that shows a conversation happening:
Two people sharing words
One person watching TV
2
Why Are They Talking?
Draw a line from the speech bubble to the reason why the person is talking.
"What time does lunch start?"
"Check out this cool drawing!"
"Knock, knock! Who's there?"
"Are you okay? You look tired."
Get Information
Share Information
For Fun
Connect with a Friend
3
Your Turn
Think of something you want to talk about today.
I want to talk to (name): __________________________
The reason I want to talk is (check one):
To get information
To share information
For fun / To tell a joke
To be a good friend
I will say:
Starting Line Slides Quick Review
Last week, we learned the 4 Reasons we talk:
Get Info
Share Info
For Fun
Connect
TODAY:
Starting Line
How to kick off a talk!
The 3 S's of Starting
1
SITUATION
Is the person busy or available?
2
SPACE
Walk up but leave a "bubble" of space.
3
STARTER
Say "Hi" and use an opening line.
Scenario 1
Your teacher is reading a book and holding a pen.
Is it a good time to start?
YES
NO
Scenario 2
Your friend is sitting on the bench alone, looking around.
Is it a good time to start?
YES
NO
Scenario 3
The announcements are playing...
Should you start a talk now?
YES
NO
Scenario 4
You walk up to a friend playing with LEGOs.
What is the best starter?
"I want to go home now."
"Hey! That's a cool spaceship you're building."
Scenario 5
A classmate has a new backpack with your favorite show on it.
How do you start?
"Hi! I love that show too. Who's your favorite character?"
"Your backpack is blue."
Starter Bank
The "Question" Starter
"Hey! What are you working on?"
The "Compliment" Starter
"That's a really cool drawing!"
The "Common Interest" Starter
"I like Pokemon too! Do you have a favorite?"
The "Activity" Starter
"Can I play with you guys?"
Starting Line Worksheet Starting Line
Talk Trackers: Worksheet 2.1
Name:
Date:
1
The "Go" Checklist
Check off the boxes ONLY if it is a GOOD time to start a conversation:
The person is sitting by themselves.
The person is looking up and around.
The person is waiting for the bus.
The person is talking on the phone.
2
Opening Lines
Circle the Best way to start a conversation:
1. You want to play a game with a classmate.
"Can I play too?"
"You are doing it wrong."
2. A friend has a new haircut.
"Your hair is shorter."
"I like your haircut!"
3
My Starter Mission
Write a starter for someone you want to talk to tomorrow.
Person:
Try one of these sentence starters:
"Hi! I really like your _________________________________."
"Hey! Do you know _____________________________________?"
"I like ____________________ too! What is your favorite?"
Keeping the Beat Slides Recap Race
To START a talk, we need:
A good SITUATION (Not busy!)
A friendly STARTER ("Hi!")
TODAY:
Keeping the Beat
Questions vs. Comments!
The Conversation Tools
QUESTIONS
Passed the ball to them!
"What about you?"
COMMENTS
Kept the ball with you!
"That sounds cool!"
Scenario 1
Friend says:
"I went to the zoo this weekend."
Choose a response to keep it going:
"What was your favorite animal?"
"I like pizza."
Scenario 2
A classmate says:
"I finally beat the final boss in my game!"
Choose a COMMENT to show you're listening:
"Wow! That must have been hard!"
"The lunch bell is going to ring."
Scenario 3
A friend says:
"My dog learned how to high-five today."
Can you think of a QUESTION?
Try one!
"What is his name?" or "How long did it take?"
Scenario 4
The BEST talkers use a Bridge:
Comment + Question
Comment
"That's awesome!"
Question
"Do you want to play it at recess?"
Scenario 5
What happens if you ask TOO MANY questions?
"It feels like a police interview!"
"Mixing in comments makes them feel heard."
The "Wh" Wheel
WHO
was there?
WHAT
did you do?
WHERE
was it?
Keeping the Beat Worksheet Keeping the Beat
Talk Trackers: Worksheet 3.1
Name:
Date:
1
The Tool Sort
Circle the right tool for each sentence:
"That is so cool!"
Question
Comment
"What is your favorite color?"
Question
Comment
"I like that movie too."
Question
Comment
"Where did you buy that?"
Question
Comment
2
What Comes Next?
Choose a follow-up that keeps the "beat" going:
Topic: Minecraft
Friend says: "I found a diamond mine yesterday!"
"Wow! How many diamonds did you find?"
"I'm hungry for lunch."
3
The Bridge Builder
Use the sentence starters to make a Bridge (Comment + Question).
Friend says: "I'm going to a birthday party this weekend."
Comment
"That sounds _________________________________!"
Question
"Where is ____________________________________?"
The Chain Link Slides Chain Check
We know how to:
START the talk
Ask QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
TODAY:
The Chain Link
Appropriate Responding!
Keep the Chain Strong
Starter
Response
Response
Breaking the Chain
If you say something that doesn't match the topic , the chain breaks!
Scenario 1
Link 1: "I love pepperoni pizza!"
Link 2?
Which response keeps the chain strong?
"Me too! What's your favorite place to get it?"
"My favorite animal is a cat."
Scenario 2
Link 1: "I'm so nervous for the science test."
Link 2?
Which response keeps the chain strong?
"I have a blue shirt."
"I am too. Do you want to study together?"
Scenario 3
Is this a "Chain Breaker"?
Friend: "Look at my new light-up shoes!"
Response: "I want to play Minecraft."
YES! It broke.
NO! It's okay.
Scenario 4
Building a Chain
Let's add two links to this starter:
"What did you bring for lunch?"
Link 2
Link 3
Scenario 5
Chain Champion!
Match the topic as fast as you can:
"It's raining outside."
"I know, I got wet!"
"I love my cat."
Chain Breaker!
Time to Build!
Let's use our Conversation Chain Cards to build the longest talk possible.
Activity Start
Conversation Chain Cards Activity Conversation Chain Cards
Cut along the dotted lines. Follow the icons to build your chain!
Starter
"What did you do over the weekend?"
Starter
"I really liked the lunch today, did you?"
Response
"I went to the park and played soccer."
Response
"Yeah, the pizza was great!"
Follow-up
"Cool! Who did you play soccer with?"
Follow-up
"Do you think they will have it again?"
Chain Breaker
"The sky is blue."
Chain Breaker
"I am hungry."
Pro Talker Challenge Slides Pro Talker Challenge
Week 5: Master Review & Celebration!
Final Mastery
The Conversation Map
1. Motive
Why talk?
2. Start
Situation & approach
3. Keep It
Qs & comments
4. Chain
Stay on topic
Level 1
You see a friend wearing a cool new watch.
How do you start?
"Hey! Is that a new watch? It looks cool."
"My mom has a watch."
Level 2
Friend says: "I'm going to my grandma's for dinner."
Which is the best follow-up?
"Okay. What time is it?"
"That sounds fun! What are you having to eat?"
Level 3
Keep the chain strong!
Topic: Tigers
"I really like tigers because they have cool stripes."
"Tigers are cool! Do you like lions too?"
"I have to go to the bathroom."
Master Level
Complete the Chain
"I played the new Mario game yesterday!"
Option A
"That's cool! Did you beat the first level?"
Option B
"I want to eat a sandwich now."
The Big Question
What is the main goal of a conversation?
A. To talk as much as possible
B. To connect and share information
C. To talk about whatever I want
Pro Talker Champion!
Awarded for mastering the skills of:
Verified Pro
Pro Talker Challenge Worksheet Pro Talker Mission
Talk Trackers: Final Mastery Worksheet
Name:
1
My Talker Skills
How do you feel about these skills? Circle the face that matches!
Starting a talk
Hard
Okay
Easy!
Keeping it going
Hard
Okay
Easy!
2
The Ultimate Choice
1. Someone says: "I'm so excited for my soccer game!"
Circle the Best response:
A. "I have new shoes."
B. "That's cool! What position do you play?"
C. "Soccer is boring."
2. When should you Start a conversation?
Circle the Best time:
A. When the person is yelling at someone.
B. When the person is working very hard on a test.
C. When the person is looking around and waiting.
3
My Final Mission
Plan a conversation for today. Check off your goal boxes!
Good Time
Starter
Question
Stay on Topic
My talk mission plan:
