Polite Communication Practice — Communication Skills Kit

About this resource

Politeness is more than a nicety. This polite communication practice kit treats it as a strategy for Grades 1–3: deliver a message in a way that keeps the other person open to hearing it. Students learn through role-play of everyday situations, in a communication skills SEL lesson that builds Relationship Skills.

What students practice

• Choosing polite words for a situation
• Matching tone of voice to the message
• Using eye contact, smiling and posture
• Practicing requests and refusals in role-play
• Tracking polite words week to week

What’s inside

• A teacher guide with a detailed script and a flexible outline: three steps, about 25 minutes
• 24 Polite Communication Scenario Cards for partner role-play, in color and black-and-white
• A Non-Verbal Communication Worksheet covering eye contact, smiling, body language and tone of voice
• A Polite Words Reminder Poster for the wall
• A four-question Reflection Questions Sheet and a weekly Communication Skills Tracker; 19 pages in all

A look inside

• From the teacher script: “Polite communication isn’t just about what we say—it’s also how we say it.”
• Scenario Cards: “Politely asking someone to stop a behavior that bothers you.” and “Welcoming a new student to the classroom.”
• Reflection: “How does your tone of voice change the way people hear your message?”

How to use this polite communication practice kit

• Contrast a mumbled request with “Could you please help me?” said kindly, looking at the person and smiling
• Pairs act out scenario cards, from greeting a new friend to politely declining an invitation, and switch roles each round
• Practice eye contact, smiling, posture and tone one at a time on the Non-Verbal Communication worksheet
• Use it in morning meeting, SEL small groups or back-to-school community building

Grade fit

Everyday scenes and short role-plays suit Grades 1–3 in early elementary. As SEL activities go, it is easy to repeat, because the scenario cards give you a fresh scene every round.

Pairs well with

Add listening practice with Active Listening and Clear Expression, or move to conflict language with My Conflict Resolution Plan.