Turn-Taking Skills

Overview

This 30-minute lesson is designed for a Year 5 class in Irish Primary Schools, following the Curriculum Framework for SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education) as set out in the Irish Education Curriculum (2015). It focuses on developing turn-taking skills in listening and speaking, empathy through perspective-taking, and practising conflict resolution strategies such as apologising and assertive communication in the context of the school yard.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Give and take turns effectively in listening and speaking during conversations.
2. Recognise and think about another person’s point of view during discussions.
3. Use appropriate language to apologise or accept an apology.
4. Demonstrate assertive behaviour to express themselves respectfully in situations of conflict.
5. Apply these communication skills to resolve or prevent conflicts in the school yard environment.

Aligned with SPHE Strand: Myself and the Wider World

• Strand Unit: Myself and the Wider World – Developing citizenship
• Learning Outcomes:
  • Understand the elements of respectful communication (CMP 5: Communicating and managing conflict in groups)
  • Recognise the importance of listening and turn-taking in conversations (SPHE Strand: Myself and Others)
  • Practice assertiveness in social interactions (SPHE Strand Unit: Myself and Others – Self-identity and taking care of my body)

---

Learners’ Experience

During this lesson, students will:

• Engage in a structured paired role-play activity simulating a school yard conflict, practising listening and speaking turn-taking.
• Participate in a group circle discussion reflecting on the importance of hearing different perspectives and showing empathy.
• Analyse sample dialogues demonstrating assertive communication and appropriate apologising language.
• Reflect on their own behaviour in conflict situations and rehearse assertive phrases to express their needs clearly and kindly.
• Take part in a short, creative “Conflict Resolution” school yard drama where they apply these skills in a fun, safe environment.

---

Lesson Structure

Time	Activity	Description & Resources
0-5m	Warm-Up: “Turn-Taking Toss”	In a circle, students toss a soft ball talking only when holding it. Promotes awareness of turn-taking.
5-12m	Paired Role-Play: School Yard Conflict	Students split into pairs. Each pair role-plays a small conflict scene where they practise listening/speaking turns, apologising, and asserting themselves kindly. Two conflict scenarios provided onsite by teacher.
12-18m	Group Discussion & Perspective-Taking	Back in a circle, discuss: How did it feel to listen carefully? How did understanding the other’s point of view help? Teacher guides reflection.
18-24m	Assertiveness Practice: “I Statements”	Teach and practise phrases: “I feel… when you…”, “Please can you…”, “I am sorry for…” Students repeat and create their own example sentences aloud.
24-30m	Creative Drama: Conflict Resolution Role-Play	Small groups perform a short improvised school yard conflict using learned skills. Teacher provides feedback emphasising communication skills.

---

Assessment

• Formative assessment: Teacher observes paired role-plays and group discussions, making notes on students’ use of turn-taking, perspective-taking, apologies, and assertive language.
• Peer feedback: After drama performances, students provide simple positive feedback on classmates’ communication skills.
• Self-assessment: At the end of class, students complete a quick ‘Thumbs up / Thumbs down’ signal to indicate confidence in applying the skills learned in their own school yard interactions.

---

Differentiation

• Supportive prompts and sentence starters provided for students who find expressive language challenging.
• Extension task for confident speakers to suggest alternative conflict resolution strategies or rephrase apologies assertively.

---

Resources

• Soft ball or beanbag for warm-up
• Pre-written conflict scripts for role-play
• Pictorial cue cards with example assertive phrases
• Open space for drama activities

---

This lesson directly supports SPHE learning linked to fostering emotional literacy, respectful communication, and positive relationships at an age-appropriate level in line with the Irish Primary Curriculum. It encourages active participation, empathy development, and the practical use of assertiveness, helping to build a more positive school community starting in the yard.