Joining a conversation — sorting cards

Getting into a conversation already happening · 5–9 · Roo Bloom

How to use these pages

Print all the pages. A4, single sided, at 100% — not “fit to page”.
Cut along the dashed lines to make the cards.
Put the two mats on the table, a bit apart.
Read a card out, or let your child read it, and put it on the mat they choose.
The answer key on the last page is for you. It is not for marking — it is so you have the explanation ready when your child asks why.

Put the two mats a little apart. Each card is one way of getting into a conversation that had already started.

HELPS YOU JOIN

Helps you join in

MAKES IT HARDER

Makes joining harder

The cards

Cut along the dashed lines

Ava and Mia are talking about a puppy.
Ava: “The puppy licked my whole face!”
Mia: “Was it soft?”
Leo waits for a pause, then says hello.
Joining a conversation · Roo Bloom
Sam and Ruby are talking at the craft table.
Sam: “My rocket needs more tape.”
Ruby: “I can hold it for you.”
Zara listens first, then says she has tape.
Joining a conversation · Roo Bloom
Hana and Omar are talking about their bug hunt.
Hana: “I found a slater under the log.”
Kai runs in and talks about his new scooter.
Joining a conversation · Roo Bloom
Mum is talking with Nan in the kitchen.
Mum: “We'll bring the salad on Sunday.”
Priya waits, then says Mum's name.
Joining a conversation · Roo Bloom
Beau is telling Dad about his swimming lesson.
Beau: “I swam a whole lap today!”
Eli starts talking while Beau is still speaking.
Joining a conversation · Roo Bloom
Ms Patel is talking with another teacher.
Ms Patel: “The excursion is on Friday.”
Nina interrupts to say Finn fell off the bars.
Joining a conversation · Roo Bloom
Mr Reed is talking with Tam about maths.
Mr Reed: “Try the next two sums.”
Suri walks over and starts talking to Mr Reed.
Joining a conversation · Roo Bloom
Ines and Jonah are kicking a footy on the oval.
Ines: “Kick it back to me!”
Beau runs in and takes the footy.
Joining a conversation · Roo Bloom
Ruby is talking with Nan at the party.
Ruby: “I helped ice the cake.”
Ines pulls Ruby's arm towards the trampoline.
Joining a conversation · Roo Bloom
Omar and Mia are waiting at the bus stop.
Omar: “My bag is heavy today.”
Mia: “Mine is too.”
Sam asks if he can tell them something.
Joining a conversation · Roo Bloom
Some kids need one more player for their game.
Leo: “We need one more player.”
Hana keeps reading her book on the bench.
Joining a conversation · Roo Bloom
Zara wants to join a game across the oval.
Zara calls out from the far end of the oval.
Joining a conversation · Roo Bloom

For grown-ups: what each card is about

Cards marked “either” are the interesting ones. Both answers are defensible and the conversation is the point.

1. HELPS YOU JOIN
Leo spoke when nobody else was talking, so they both heard him.
Wait for a small pause.
2. HELPS YOU JOIN
Zara found out the topic, so her words fitted with theirs.
Listen first, then say something.
3. MAKES IT HARDER
Kai's new topic stopped the bug talk, so Hana lost her turn.
Say something about their thing. — Ask Hana where she found the slater.
4. HELPS YOU JOIN
Mum heard her own name, so she knew Priya was waiting.
Say the person's name first.
5. MAKES IT HARDER
Two voices came at once, so Dad could not hear either one.
Wait until the words stop. — Wait until Beau finishes, then say it.
6. HELPS YOU JOIN
Finn was hurt, so telling someone straight away got him help fast.
Tell a grown-up straight away.
7. Either
If someone is hurt or sick, say it now. If it can wait, wait for a pause.
Urgent now, everything else waits.
8. MAKES IT HARDER
The game stopped, and nobody knew Beau wanted to play.
Ask before taking the ball. — Ask, 'Can I play too?' and wait.
9. MAKES IT HARDER
Ruby's talk with Nan stopped before she got to finish it.
Ask instead of pulling. — Wait, then ask Ruby to jump with you.
10. HELPS YOU JOIN
Sam checked first, so Omar and Mia were ready to listen.
Ask first: 'Can I tell you something?'
11. Either
If Hana wants to play, she can ask. If she'd rather read, that is fine.
Joining in is your choice.
12. MAKES IT HARDER
The game was noisy and far away, so nobody heard Zara.
Get close enough to be heard. — Walk over to the game, then ask.