Deepen Emotional Intelligence with Hands-On Activities
Build Your Social Skills
EI stands for Emotional Intelligence -- in other words, managing your own feelings and recognizing the feelings of others. For many kids, that comes naturally. But for others, it's a hard skill to master. Kids who find social connections challenging may feel like their peers know a secret formula for making and keeping friends...but nobody told them how to do it.
Getting along with classmates takes skills like listening, empathy, assertiveness, and resolving conflicts. The good news is that those skills are things you can learn! In EI Club, we'll discuss fresh ideas for relating to others. Then we'll practice them using role-playing and other techniques drawn from the world of theatre. That means every student will leave EI Club not just with knowledge, but with new habits they've already begun to practice!
To demonstrate how our approach works, here's the way we handle the topic of choosing wise words and an appropriate tone of voice.
- THE FORMULA. We introduce this formula to students: WORDS + TONE OF VOICE + BODY LANGUAGE = MESSAGE. The teaching artist shares a short, true story about a time when they recognized how important it is communicate with kindness and respect.
- CHOOSING WISE WORDS. We introduce word choices by brainstorming polite language (please, thank you, may I, etc.). Then students take turns changing short, terse statements ("I need to pee") into polite questions ("May I use the restroom?").
- WORD PRACTICE. Students pair up to revise a sample written communication that a kid might send to their parent or teacher. The sample is terse and borders on rude. Can the students use wise words instead?
- VOICE AND BODY. Student volunteers help us experiment with vocal elements like rate, volume, and emphasis. We also see what happens with different body language (like crossing your arms vs. holding your arms at your sides, or smiling vs. glaring).
- ACTIVITY (SPAGHETTI). Students play a game in which they may only say the word "spaghetti," but must communicate an emotion (like excitement or sadness) through tone of voice and body language.
- VOICE AND BODY PRACTICE. Students read their written communications (from the earlier activity) aloud. What does the group think about their tone of voice and body language?
- PUTTING IT TOGETHER. We finish by practicing everything we've learned in a culminating role-playing activity. Students in groups of two receive a simple role-playing scenario (like a disagreement with a peer over a Chromebook). Can they develop a short scene where they ask for what they need using wise words, tone of voice, and body language?
Key Topics in EI Club
Conversation Skills
Each week, we'll practice starting and sustaining conversations. We'll also explore how to join an activity with our peers.
Wise Words
It can be hard to know how others are perceiving us. When we become more aware of the words we choose and the way we say them, we'll be more successful in communicating with others.
Teamwork
Everybody has to work in a group sometimes. How can you interact effectively with your peers to get the job done?
Feelings & Conflicts
Big feelings can derail our best intentions when it comes to relating to others. How can we manage our feelings and resolve disagreements...even when somebody is stepping on our last nerve?
Other Topics We'll Cover
- Reading between the lines in conversations (recognizing subtext)
- Reflective listening and I Statements
- How to apologize
- Giving and receiving feedback
- Doing hard things
- Dealing with bullies (and other mean people)
- Topics may vary depending on student needs and interests as well as time limitations.
In EI Club, students will learn new tools to navigate the challenging world of peer relationships with proficiency and confidence. But even more importantly, they'll practice their skills through role-playing and hands-on activities. This is the perfect place for students to build social and emotional confidence in an engaging environment!
EI Club is also available as a classroom workshop during school hours.
Equip Students with Stronger Social Skills in EI Club!
Prices shown above are subject to change. A travel charge applies for destinations outside of a 20-mile radius from our office near downtown Louisville.