CONVERSATION DRIVERS AND STOPPERS PACKET
ACTIVITY 1: SCENARIO CARDS
BRITTANY BRUNELL, M.S. CCC-SLP
CONVERSATION DRIVERS AND STOPPERS
BRITTANY BRUNELL, M.S. CCC-SLP
INSTRUCTIONS
The concept of Conversation Drivers teaches students how to use behaviors that drive a conversation or
keep it going. Conversation Stoppers will stop a conversation before it is naturally over and generally cause
uncomfortable or confused feelings.
This activity includes 36 scenario cards that allow students to read a situation and decide whether the action
drove a conversation or stopped it based on the reactions of the conversation partners.
CONVERSATION DRIVERS AND STOPPERS – ACTIVITY 1
Directions: Read each scenario and tell whether the actions drove or
stopped the conversation. Circle the car or stop sign to answer and then
explain how you knew the answer.
John is talking to Maddie about his
math homework. Maddie remembers
she watched a funny YouTube video
and starts telling John about it. John
looks confused.
Lily wants to learn more about Abby’s
vacation to Florida. Lily asks what
Abby’s favorite part was. Abby says
seeing dolphins was the best part.
Jackson tells Adam that his brother’s
birthday is Friday. Adam looks around
and says “Cool”. Jackson looks down.
Did Maddie drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
Did
Abby
drive
or
stop
conversation? How can you tell?
Did Adam drive
conversation?
the
the
or
stop
the
Martha hears Fred and Joe talking
about the school dance. She asks them
what they’re doing for winter break.
The boys look at each other.
Lisa sees Heather drawing. She tells her
she’s really good and asked if she ever
took lessons. Heather says, “Thanks. I
never took lessons, I just like to draw for
fun.”
Bryce wants to start a conversation
with Drew. Bryce tells him how good
he is at video games. Drew looks out
the window and says “Cool.”
Did the boys drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
Did Heather drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
Did Drew drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
the
the
the
CONVERSATION DRIVERS AND STOPPERS – ACTIVITY 1
Directions: Read each scenario and tell whether the actions drove or
stopped the conversation. Circle the car or stop sign to answer and then
explain how you knew the answer.
Korbin tells Brian about his karate
tournament. Brian says “You’re not even
a black belt. ” Korbin feels bad and
doesn’t say much more.
Bella asks Todd about his day. Todd
replies that he has a stomach ache and
spent all morning in the bathroom. Bella
looks uncomfortable.
Pam and Erica talk about their
homework for a while. After a pause,
Pam asks Erica if she’s going to the
football game after school. Erica says
she’s going and can’t wait.
Did Brian drive or stop the conv ersati on?
How can you tell?
Did Todd drive or stop the conversation?
How can you tell?
Did Pam drive or stop the conversation?
How can you tell?
Max is wondering where his friend Tyler
got his shoes. He asks him and Tyler
says the footlocker at the mall.
Joel and Mike are talking about the
football game this past Sunday. Hannah
walks up to them and starts talking
about her weekend. Joel and Mike seem
annoyed.
Tony and Marcus are walking to the
bus stop. Tony says, “I’m always so
tired in the morning.” Marcus
comments, “Me too. I stayed up too
late last night playing video games.”
Did Hannah drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
Did Marcus drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
Did Tyler drive or stop the conv ersati on?
How can you tell?
the
the
CONVERSATION DRIVERS AND STOPPERS – ACTIVITY 1
Directions: Read each scenario and tell whether the actions drove or
stopped the conversation. Circle the car or stop sign to answer and then
explain how you knew the answer.
Victoria and Elizabeth are working on a
class project. Victoria says, “I think this
project is going to be great!” Elizabeth
looks out the window and comments,
“It’s raining.”
Nicole and Jennifer are trying out for
the basketball team. Nicole says, “I’m
nervous!” Jennifer says, “I’m really good
at basketball and I’ll definitely make the
team.”
Ben and George are watching a soccer
game on television. Ben says, “Did you
see that goal?” George says, “Yeah, it
was awesome!”
Did Elizabeth drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
Did Jennifer drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
Did
Ben
drive
or
stop
conversation? How can you tell?
the
the
the
Doug and Pat are sitting at lunch
together. Doug says, “Pat, how was your
weekend?” Pat sings to himself and
does not look at Doug. Doug feels
uncomfortable
Steve and Angelica are walking to class
together. Steve says, “I had a really bad
day at school yesterday. Angelica says,
“Oh.” Steve feels bad and stops talking
to Angelica.
Betsy and Jose are talking about their
summer vacations. Betsy says, “I had a
great vacation in Canada!” Jose asks,
“What did you do while you were
there?”
.
Did Pat drive or stop the conversation?
How can you tell?
Did Angelica drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
Did
Jose
drive
or
stop
conversation? How can you tell?
the
the
CONVERSATION DRIVERS AND STOPPERS – ACTIVITY 1
Directions: Read each scenario and tell whether the actions drove or
stopped the conversation. Circle the car or stop sign to answer and then
explain how you knew the answer.
James sees Dan in the hallway at
school. James looks at Dan and says,
“Hey Dan! How’s it going?” Dan looks at
James but doesn’t wave back or say
hi.James wonders if Dan is mad at him.
Did Dan drive or stop the conversation?
How can you tell?
Tessa and Kayleigh are playing
volleyball in gym class. Kayleigh says,
“You’re really good at this game!” Tessa
says, “Thanks! I love volleyball!”
Did Kayleigh drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
David really likes Kayla’s new shirt. He
says, “Hey, that’s a great shirt. Where
did you get it?” Kayla says, “Thanks! I
got it
as a present.”
Did
David
drive
or
stop
conversation? How can you tell?
Jaylynn is talking with Nick about their
science class. She wants to bring up
her birthday. She interrupts him and
says, “I’m having cake and ice cream
for my birthday this weekend.” Nick
gives her a
confused look.
the
Did Jaylynn drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
the
Norah sits down at a table with Zack.
She sighs and says, “I had the worst day
ever.” Zack says, “I’m excited to watch
football tonight!” Norah looks down and
doesn’t say anything.
Arianna is talking about her favorite
television show with Kevin. Kevin
comments, “That show is for babies. I
don’t watch baby shows.” Arianna’s
feelings are hurt.
Did
Zack
drive
or
stop
conversation? How can you tell?
Did Kevin drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
the
the
the
CONVERSATION DRIVERS AND STOPPERS – ACTIVITY 1
Directions: Read each scenario and tell whether the actions drove or
stopped the conversation. Circle the car or stop sign to answer and then
explain how you knew the answer.
Jack failed his history test, and he is
upset. He tells Jasmine what happened,
and she says, “I’m sure you’ll do better
next time. Maybe I could help you
study?”
Anastasia tells Mia that she is feeling
sick today. Mia says, “Cool.” Anastasia
looks down.
Did Anastasia drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
Did Jasmine drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
the
the
Jen tells Mariah that she tried out for
the softball team but didn’t make it.
Mariah plays with her bracelet and
doesn’t respond. Jen’s feelings are hurt.
Did the Mariah drive or stop the
conversation? How can you tell?
Leo wants to talk about his weekend,
but Aaron and Eric are talking about
homework. He waits for a pause and
then says, “Guess what happened this
weekend!” They both turn to him and
ask, “What happened?
Did
Leo
drive
or
stop
conversation? How can you tell?
the
Lily and Violet are walking to class. Lily
says, “I started taking piano lessons last
week.” Violet says, “I love chocolate
chip
cookies!” Lily is confused.
Brianna and Victor are talking about
the book they are reading in class.
Kathleen interrupts and says, “I went
out to eat last night.” Brianna and
Victor give Kathleen a confused look.
Did
Violet
drive
or
stop
conversation? How can you tell?
Did Kathleen drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
the
the
CONVERSATION DRIVERS AND STOPPERS – ACTIVITY 1
Directions: Read each scenario and tell whether the actions drove or
stopped the conversation. Circle the car or stop sign to answer and then
explain how you knew the answer.
Olivia tells Hunter she likes his jacket.
Hunter stares out the window and
doesn’t
respond.
Olivia
feels
uncomfortable and confused.
Julian tells Greg that he got a new dog.
Greg says, “That’s awesome! What kind
of dog is it?” Julian replies, “She is a
German Shepherd.”
Tristan tells Frank that he is upset
because his cat ran away over the
weekend. Frank says, “Hmm.” Tristan is
hurt that Frank doesn’t seem to care.
Did Hunter drive or stop
conversation? How can you tell?
Did Greg drive or stop the
conversation? How can you tell?
Did Frank drive or stop the
conversation? How can you tell?
Paige tells Erin that it is her birthday
this weekend. Erin says, “My birthday
was last month. We had cake and
balloons, and I got lots of presents!”
Paige is annoyed with Erin.
Carl is talking to Nathan when he sees
that Nathan looks sad. He changes the
topic and Nathan looks much happier.
Dave tells some classmates about his
parent’s divorce. They don’t know
Dave that well so they all look around
and aren’t sure what to say.
Did the Erin drive or stop the
conversation? How can you tell?
Did the Carl drive or stop the
conversation? How can you tell?
Did the Dave drive or stop the
conversation? How can you tell?
the
CONVERSATION DRIVERS AND STOPPERS – ACTIVITY 1
Directions: Use these blank extra cards to create your own scenarios.