Speaking and Listening (Gr. 1)

Interview a Friend! 

This activity is a great way for students to get to know each other and build their speaking and listening skills.  At the beginning of the year I invite another staff member to model with me the first interview. We model how to ask clarifying questions to draw a picture to go with each answer. Each week before they do the interview we read the questions together and highlight the underlined word. I focus on using sight words, (Fry Words), and vocabulary we are using in all subjects to create the questions.

Interview a friend NG 1-1

Interview a friend NG 1-2

Interview a friend NG 1-3

Interview a friend NG 1-4

Interview a friend NG 2-1

Interview a friend NG 2-2

Interview a friend NG 2-3

Interview a friend NG 2-4

Interview a friend NG 3-1


Knee to Knee 

Every morning students write whatever is on their mind and match the text with an illustration. I have students get with a partner and sit “knee to knee”. Each student shares their writing and the partner asks clarifying questions. Then I pick 5 students to share their writing with the whole class. The presenters  hold their paper down away from their face and use a strong presenters voice.  The audience puts everything out of their hands, turns their body toward the presenters and gives their full attention.


Same and Different

Same and Different #1      Same and Different #2      Same and Different #3

Same and Different #4      Same and Different #5      Same and Different #6

Same and Different #7      Same and Different #8      Same and Different #9


Compare and Contrast

Do the first Compare and Contrast together as a class to model and think aloud how you determine what is the same and different.

Compare-Contrast #1   Compare-Contrast #2   Compare-Contrast #3

Compare-Contrast #4   Compare-Contrast #5


Indiana Academic Standards (IAS): Speaking and Listening

1.SL.1: Listen actively and adjust the use of spoken language (e.g., vocabulary) to
communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.

1.SL.2.1.: Participate in collaborative conversations about grade-appropriate topics
and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

1.SL.2.3: Listen to others, take turns speaking about the topic, and add one’s own ideas in small group discussion or tasks.

1.SL.2.4: Ask questions to clarify information about topics and texts under discussion.

1.SL.2.5: Build on others’ talk in conversations by responding to the comments of others through multiple exchanges.

1.SL.3.1:  Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

1.SL.3.2:  Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says to clarify something that is not understood.

1.SL.4.1:  Speaking audibly and using appropriate language, recite poems, rhymes, songs, and stories, with careful attention to sensory detail when describing people, places, things, and events.

1.SL.4.2:  Add drawings or other visual displays, such as, pictures and objects, when sharing information to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

1.SL.4.3:  Give and follow three- and four‐step directions.