Social Communication Skills: A High School Project
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can high school students with special needs develop and practice effective communication skills to build and maintain meaningful conversations in various social settings?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What does good communication look like?
- How do I start a conversation?
- How do I keep a conversation going?
- How do I end a conversation?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will demonstrate the ability to initiate conversations in various social settings.
- Students will demonstrate active listening skills during conversations.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to ask relevant follow-up questions to keep conversations flowing.
- Students will identify and utilize appropriate non-verbal communication cues.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to gracefully exit a conversation.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the components of effective communication.
- Students will be able to identify different social settings and adjust their communication style accordingly.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsCommunication Breakdown Challenge
Students participate in a 'communication breakdown' simulation where they attempt to complete a task with deliberately unclear or incomplete instructions. This frustrating experience highlights the importance of clear and effective communication, encouraging students to identify the specific skills needed to avoid such breakdowns in the future. It connects directly to their experiences and fosters a desire to learn better communication strategies.Speed Friending Challenge
Organize a 'speed-friending' event where students have brief, timed conversations with multiple classmates, focusing on practicing introductions, asking questions, and finding common interests. This offers a low-stakes, interactive way to immediately apply and assess their current communication skills, identifying areas for improvement. It directly relates to their social lives and provides a fun, engaging entry point to the project.Awkward Scene Analysis
The class watches a series of short, awkward or humorous scenes from popular TV shows or movies that depict social communication failures. Students analyze the characters' mistakes and brainstorm how they could have handled the situations differently, promoting critical thinking and practical application of social skills. This capitalizes on students' interest in media and provides a safe, entertaining way to explore communication challenges.High School Survival Guide
Present the class with a fictional scenario: they are tasked with advising a new student on how to navigate the social landscape of their high school. Students work in groups to develop a 'survival guide' that covers topics like initiating conversations, joining clubs, and resolving conflicts, encouraging them to empathize with others and apply their communication skills in a practical context. This activity encourages creative problem-solving and leverages their existing knowledge of the school environment.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Conversation Starter Kit Creator
Students will create a visual guide on how to initiate conversations. The guide should include different scenarios (e.g., school hallway, cafeteria, club meeting) and specific opening lines or questions appropriate for each scenario.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visually appealing guide (poster, infographic, or digital presentation) showcasing conversation starters for various social settings.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will demonstrate the ability to initiate conversations in various social settings.The Active Listener
Students will participate in paired interviews where they practice active listening. Each student will take turns being the interviewer and the interviewee. After each interview, students will reflect on their active listening skills, identifying areas for improvement.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written reflection on their experience as both interviewer and interviewee, focusing on specific active listening techniques used (e.g., eye contact, nodding, summarizing) and their effectiveness.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will demonstrate active listening skills during conversations.The Follow-Up Expert
Students will engage in role-playing activities where they must keep a conversation going by asking relevant follow-up questions. Scenarios will be provided to give context to the conversations.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA video recording of a role-playing scenario demonstrating the student's ability to ask relevant follow-up questions and maintain a conversation.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will demonstrate the ability to ask relevant follow-up questions to keep conversations flowing.Non-Verbal Decoder
Students will observe and analyze videos of conversations, focusing on non-verbal communication cues (e.g., body language, facial expressions, tone of voice). They will then create a presentation on the importance of non-verbal cues and how to interpret them.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA multimedia presentation (e.g., PowerPoint, video) explaining the importance of non-verbal communication cues and providing examples of how to interpret them in different social situations.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will identify and utilize appropriate non-verbal communication cues.The Graceful Exit
Students will practice different strategies for gracefully exiting conversations through role-playing. They will develop and rehearse appropriate exit lines for various social situations.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA short skit demonstrating several appropriate ways to gracefully exit a conversation in different social settings.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will demonstrate the ability to gracefully exit a conversation.The Social Navigator
Students will create a social communication guide tailored to different high school settings. This guide will address initiating, maintaining, and exiting conversations, as well as adjusting communication styles based on the environment.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive social communication guide (digital or physical) tailored to different high school settings, including tips for initiating, maintaining, and exiting conversations, and adjusting communication styles.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the components of effective communication and be able to identify different social settings and adjust their communication style accordingly.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioSocial Communication Skills Portfolio Rubric
Conversation Starter Kit
This category assesses the quality and effectiveness of the conversation starter guide.Conversation Starter Quality
Effectiveness of the conversation starters for different social scenarios
Exemplary
4 PointsConversation starters are highly creative, appropriate, and guaranteed to initiate engaging conversations in a variety of scenarios. The guide is exceptionally well-organized and visually appealing.
Proficient
3 PointsConversation starters are appropriate for most scenarios and likely to initiate conversation. The guide is well-organized and visually appealing.
Developing
2 PointsConversation starters are somewhat generic or may not be appropriate for all scenarios. The guide is organized but lacks visual appeal.
Beginning
1 PointsConversation starters are inappropriate or ineffective. The guide is poorly organized and lacks visual appeal.
Guide Clarity and Organization
Clarity and organization of the visual guide
Exemplary
4 PointsThe guide is exceptionally clear, easy to understand, and logically organized, enhancing its usability and impact. It demonstrates leadership in collaborative settings.
Proficient
3 PointsThe guide is clear, easy to understand, and logically organized.
Developing
2 PointsThe guide is somewhat unclear or disorganized, making it difficult to use.
Beginning
1 PointsThe guide is unclear, disorganized, and difficult to use.
Presentation and Feedback
Presentation of the guide and incorporation of feedback
Exemplary
4 PointsThe presentation is engaging and insightful, incorporating feedback to significantly improve the guide's effectiveness. The student demonstrates sophisticated understanding and application of concepts.
Proficient
3 PointsThe presentation is clear and incorporates feedback to improve the guide.
Developing
2 PointsThe presentation is adequate but does not fully incorporate feedback.
Beginning
1 PointsThe presentation is poorly executed and does not incorporate feedback.
Active Listening Interview
This category assesses the student's ability to practice active listening and reflect on their performance.Active Listening Skills
Demonstrates active listening techniques during the interview (eye contact, nodding, summarizing)
Exemplary
4 PointsConsistently and effectively uses a variety of active listening techniques, creating a comfortable and engaging environment for the interviewee. Provides comprehensive evidence of advanced skill integration.
Proficient
3 PointsUses active listening techniques effectively throughout the interview.
Developing
2 PointsUses some active listening techniques, but inconsistently.
Beginning
1 PointsRarely uses active listening techniques.
Reflection Quality
Quality and depth of reflection on the interview experience
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a deeply insightful and reflective analysis of the interview experience, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their strengths and areas for significant growth. Integrates skills innovatively and provides comprehensive evidence.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a thorough and thoughtful reflection on the interview experience.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a superficial or incomplete reflection on the interview experience.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a minimal or irrelevant reflection on the interview experience.
Areas for Improvement
Identifies specific areas for improvement in active listening skills
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies specific, actionable strategies for improving active listening skills based on the interview experience, demonstrating exceptional critical thinking and a growth-oriented mindset.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies specific areas for improvement in active listening skills.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies general areas for improvement in active listening skills.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to identify areas for improvement in active listening skills.
Follow-Up Question Role-Play
This category assesses the student's ability to use follow-up questions to maintain a conversation.Follow-Up Question Quality
Relevance and thoughtfulness of follow-up questions
Exemplary
4 PointsConsistently asks highly relevant and thoughtful follow-up questions that demonstrate exceptional insight and keep the conversation flowing naturally and engagingly. Shows outstanding quality of work and innovative application of concepts.
Proficient
3 PointsAsks relevant and thoughtful follow-up questions to keep the conversation flowing.
Developing
2 PointsAsks somewhat relevant or generic follow-up questions.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to ask relevant follow-up questions.
Conversation Maintenance
Demonstrates the ability to maintain a conversation through follow-up questions
Exemplary
4 PointsSkillfully maintains a natural and engaging conversation using follow-up questions, demonstrating sophisticated understanding and advanced integration of communication skills. Exhibits leadership in guiding the conversation.
Proficient
3 PointsMaintains a conversation effectively using follow-up questions.
Developing
2 PointsStruggles to maintain a conversation using follow-up questions.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to maintain a conversation using follow-up questions.
Self-Evaluation
Self-evaluation of performance in the role-playing scenario
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive and insightful self-evaluation, demonstrating exceptional critical thinking and a clear understanding of their strengths and areas for significant growth. Applies concepts innovatively.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear and accurate self-evaluation of their performance.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a superficial or incomplete self-evaluation.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a minimal or inaccurate self-evaluation.
Non-Verbal Communication Analysis
This category assesses the student's ability to identify and understand non-verbal communication cues.Non-Verbal Cue Analysis
Identification and analysis of non-verbal cues in the video
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies and analyzes a wide range of non-verbal cues with exceptional insight and accuracy, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their impact on communication. Applies concepts innovatively and shows exceptional critical thinking.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies and analyzes key non-verbal cues in the video.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some non-verbal cues but struggles with analysis.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to identify or analyze non-verbal cues.
Importance of Non-Verbal Cues
Explanation of the importance of non-verbal communication
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a compelling and insightful explanation of the importance of non-verbal communication, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of its nuances and impact on social interactions. Integrates skills successfully and produces outstanding quality work.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear and thorough explanation of the importance of non-verbal communication.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation of the importance of non-verbal communication.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a minimal or inaccurate explanation of non-verbal communication.
Presentation Quality
Clarity and creativity of the presentation
Exemplary
4 PointsThe presentation is exceptionally clear, engaging, and creative, demonstrating sophisticated understanding and advanced communication skills. The student exhibits leadership and provides comprehensive evidence.
Proficient
3 PointsThe presentation is clear, engaging, and creative.
Developing
2 PointsThe presentation is adequate but lacks clarity or creativity.
Beginning
1 PointsThe presentation is unclear, unengaging, and lacks creativity.
Graceful Exit Skit
This category assesses the student's ability to gracefully exit conversations.Exit Line Quality
Effectiveness of exit lines for different social situations
Exemplary
4 PointsDevelops highly effective and creative exit lines that are perfectly tailored to a variety of social situations, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of social dynamics. Applies concepts innovatively and shows exceptional critical thinking.
Proficient
3 PointsDevelops effective exit lines that are appropriate for different social situations.
Developing
2 PointsDevelops exit lines that are somewhat generic or may not be appropriate for all situations.
Beginning
1 PointsDevelops exit lines that are inappropriate or ineffective.
Graceful Exit Demonstration
Demonstrates graceful exit strategies in the skit
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional grace and poise in exiting conversations in the skit, showcasing sophisticated understanding and advanced skill integration. The student exhibits leadership in creating a realistic and engaging performance.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates graceful exit strategies in the skit.
Developing
2 PointsDemonstrates some understanding of graceful exit strategies but struggles with execution.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to demonstrate graceful exit strategies.
Skit Quality
Overall creativity and engagement of the skit
Exemplary
4 PointsThe skit is exceptionally creative, engaging, and well-rehearsed, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of social dynamics and advanced communication skills. Provides comprehensive evidence and outstanding quality work.
Proficient
3 PointsThe skit is creative, engaging, and well-rehearsed.
Developing
2 PointsThe skit is adequate but lacks creativity or engagement.
Beginning
1 PointsThe skit is uninspired, unengaging, and poorly rehearsed.
Social Communication Guide
This category assesses the student's ability to create a comprehensive social communication guide.Guide Comprehensiveness
Comprehensiveness of the social communication guide
Exemplary
4 PointsThe guide is exceptionally comprehensive, covering all relevant aspects of social communication in various high school settings with sophisticated understanding and advanced insights. It demonstrates leadership in collaborative settings.
Proficient
3 PointsThe guide is comprehensive, covering all relevant aspects of social communication.
Developing
2 PointsThe guide is somewhat incomplete, missing some key aspects of social communication.
Beginning
1 PointsThe guide is incomplete and lacks key information about social communication.
Adaptability
Adaptation of communication strategies to different social settings
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates a sophisticated understanding of how to adapt communication strategies to diverse high school settings, applying concepts innovatively and showing exceptional critical thinking. Provides comprehensive evidence of skill integration.
Proficient
3 PointsAdapts communication strategies effectively to different social settings.
Developing
2 PointsAdapts communication strategies to some social settings but struggles with others.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to adapt communication strategies to different social settings.
Guide Usefulness
Overall usefulness and clarity of the guide
Exemplary
4 PointsThe guide is exceptionally useful, clear, and well-organized, making it an invaluable resource for navigating social situations in high school. It demonstrates outstanding quality work and advanced communication skills.
Proficient
3 PointsThe guide is useful, clear, and well-organized.
Developing
2 PointsThe guide is somewhat useful but lacks clarity or organization.
Beginning
1 PointsThe guide is unhelpful, unclear, and disorganized.