Manners can be fun. Students love learning about them. In fact, these activities make is so fun, they will not even realize they are learning basic social skills.
At Manners To Go, we believe you need to start with the “why”. Whether you are an adult or a child, when you think about your why, it motivates and inspires us.
This especially works when you have a goal to meet – more about that later.
Let’s get to the manners activities that you can teach teach starting today.
These are basic and for every grade level. You can adjust them accordingly.
Opening Dialogue:
Remember to start with the “why”. I suggest asking your students why they think learning good manners is important.
Engage with them and let them call out their answers.
The answers you might hear:
Using good manners makes me feel good.
It is polite.
It is kind.
It makes others feel good.
Using good manners makes us feel confident.
Manners Activity # 1
Practice Conversation Skills
This is one of the most requested lesson plans within Manners To Go. Conversation skills are so very important for us all – especially for children. This how they get to know others and build friendships.
You can have questions prepared ahead of time or you can create them in the moment. You want to make sure they are open-ended questions. You do not want your students to answer with a “yes” or “no”.
Place two chairs in the front of your classroom. Ask for volunteers.
You may need to get the two students started by prompting them.
Remind them a conversation is like playing tennis. One hits the ball and the other returns it. Having a conversation is a back and forth situation.
Examples of questions:
Student # 1
What is your favorite movie?
Why?
Student # 2
This student can ask the same question or create another one.
Other examples
What is your favorite sport?
What are you reading right now for fun?
What is your favorite breakfast?
If you were an animal, what would you be? Why?
Manners Activity # 2
Practice Ordering in a Restaurant
This activity offers many teachable moments.
You can set a table up in your classroom. Ask for 3-4 children to volunteer.
Take them through the steps. One student can play the role of the server. The other two can play the role of the diners.
Have them practice:
Patience
Eye Contact
Being kind
Listening first
Kindly asking questions
Placing their order
Encourage them to have a conversation with the others sitting at the table
You can make this exercise simple or go all in – prep menus, place salt and pepper shakers, condiments, napkins etc. on the table.
Manners Activity # 3
Writing Thank You Notes
Pass around paper or you can actually have thank you note cards.
The important step here is to have them write or draw (depending on age) the thank you note.
This is an activity that you can do weekly.
Feeling and experiencing gratitude is so uplifting for both the writer and receiver.
Choose other teachers, librarians, school counselors, custodians and principals to receive the notes.
Your students can send notes of thanks for certain actions.
For example, maybe the librarian assisted a student by finding a book for them. They can send a thank you to the custodian staff for keeping your school tidy and clean.
Thank you note writing is a very important step in learning good manners.
Lisa Richey provides etiquette programs to businesses, schools, and individuals.
