Session 1
Learning Objective
Students will apply appropriate questioning techniques to understand, identify, and clarify the issues, needs, and perspectives of others.
Activity: Hot Seat
Direct the students to form a circle.
Choose a person to begin the activity.
Tell the volunteer to move his or her chair into the middle of the circle
Students in the circle are allowed to ask the student in the hot seat anyquestion related to the agreed-upon topic under discussion.
The student in the hot seat may choose to pass on any question.
After the third question, a new student sits in the hot seat.
After an agreed-upon time frame (ten minutes) has passed, the activity is over.
When the activity is finished, ask which type of questions got a more thorough response.
Closed-ended questions _____________ (usually elicits a brief response or one-word answer)
Open-ended questions _______________ (open-ended questions cannot be answered with a yes, no, or very brief response)
Session 2
Learning Objective
Students will define empathy and its importance in effective communication and conflict resolution.
Students will demonstrate proficiency in reframing negative language and perceptions to facilitate constructive dialogue.
Students will apply de-escalation techniques to defuse tense situations and promote a conducive environment for communication.
Activity: Partner Discussion
Scenario: One student has gotten bumped by the other; all the books go flying. The person who bumped into you walked away.
In partners, discuss:
What do you do?
What are your options?
How are you feeling?