As students grow as communicators, they can respectfully listen to and share their thoughts, feelings, ideas, experiences, and perspectives with others.

Communicators:

• Read to learn
• Listen to understand
• Speak to inform, influence, motivate, or entertain others
• Write for distinct purposes and audiences
• Use technology to explore and exchange ideas when appropriate

Ideas for Discussing Communication at Home

Pay attention to when you use communication skills throughout your day.  Try to regularly share these examples with your student. Explain how you used specific communication skills to work through scenarios. Over time, you might share examples of how you used skills well and opportunities for you to grow, too. Sharing your stories will help build understanding of how skills can be used in and beyond school and why these skills are important.

You might also ask your student questions such as:

• What ideas did you share today?
• What were some ways you shared your ideas?
• When did you respectfully listen to the ideas of others?
• In what ways did you write, draw or use digital tools to communicate with others? How did that help you learn?
• How can you be a good communicator when you are ____ (ex: working through a conflict with your siblings; on the soccer field; in need of help)?
• What do you want to remember to be a good communicator tomorrow?

Portrait of a Graduate in Action