Keeping a conversation going — sorting cards

Keeping a conversation going once it starts · 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.

Lay the two mats out with a gap between them. Each card is one thing somebody said back — decide what it did to the talking.

KEEPS IT GOING

Keeps it going

MAKES IT STOP

Makes it stop

The cards

Cut along the dashed lines

Leo tells Priya about the tower he built.
Leo: “My tower is taller than the box.”
Priya: “How many blocks did you use?”
Keeping a conversation going · Roo Bloom
Nina tells Omar about her dog at dinner.
Nina: “My dog learnt to shake hands.”
Omar: “I want a new drink bottle.”
Keeping a conversation going · Roo Bloom
Hana tells Sam about the fish tank.
Hana: “One fish has a very long tail.”
Sam: “A long tail! Which one is it?”
Keeping a conversation going · Roo Bloom
Ruby is happy and chatty. Kai comes to the table.
Kai: “What are you painting?”
Ruby hears Kai but says nothing back.
Keeping a conversation going · Roo Bloom
Ms Patel is talking to a parent. Finn runs over.
Finn: “Ms Patel! Eli fell and his knee is bleeding.”
Keeping a conversation going · Roo Bloom
Beau has talked about trains for a long time.
Beau: “There are eight kinds of train doors.”
Beau: “What do you like doing, Suri?”
Keeping a conversation going · Roo Bloom
Lily is halfway through telling Tam about her show.
Lily: “The dog ran off and then—”
Tam: “I found a rock at the park!”
Keeping a conversation going · Roo Bloom
The party is loud. Zara is tired and quiet.
Jonah: “Did you like the cake?”
Zara: “Yeah. I need a rest now.”
Keeping a conversation going · Roo Bloom
Eli wants to chat. Mia tells him about her ball.
Mia: “I got a soccer ball for my birthday.”
Eli: “Cool.”
Keeping a conversation going · Roo Bloom
Ruby is telling a long story. Sam starts to speak.
Sam: “Oh—”
Ruby: “You go. I'll finish after.”
Keeping a conversation going · Roo Bloom
Ava is drawing. Noah asks her to play cars.
Noah: “Do you want to play cars?”
Ava: “I want to finish my drawing first.”
Keeping a conversation going · Roo Bloom
Suri finishes talking about her race. Kai says something new.
Suri: “I came third in my race.”
Kai: “My cousin is coming on Saturday.”
Keeping a conversation going · 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. KEEPS IT GOING
Priya asked about the tower Leo was talking about.
Ask about their thing.
2. MAKES IT STOP
Omar started a new topic, so the dog story stopped.
Stay on their topic first. — Ask what the dog's trick looks like.
3. KEEPS IT GOING
Sam said back what he heard, then asked more.
Say back what you heard.
4. MAKES IT STOP
Kai's question got no answer, so he had nowhere to go.
Answer when someone asks you. — Tell Kai what the painting is.
5. Either
If someone is hurt, tell a grown-up now. If it can wait, wait for a pause.
Hurt or unsafe? Tell now.
6. KEEPS IT GOING
Beau gave Suri a turn, so Suri could talk too.
Give them a turn too.
7. MAKES IT STOP
Lily still had more to say, so her story stopped.
Wait for a small pause. — Wait until Lily finishes, then tell her.
8. KEEPS IT GOING
Zara answered and said what she needs. Jonah knows what's happening.
Short answers count as answers.
9. MAKES IT STOP
Eli wanted to chat, but 'Cool' left Mia nowhere to go.
Add a question after your answer. — Ask Mia what colour the ball is.
10. KEEPS IT GOING
Ruby heard Sam start, so Sam got a turn.
Let them have their turn.
11. KEEPS IT GOING
Ava answered and told Noah what happens next.
Say what you want to do.
12. Either
If Suri has finished, a new topic is fine. If she has more, wait.
Check if they have finished.