Fun Talks Fuel Lasting Friendships at Manor

The friendship shuffle came to a first grade classroom at Seaford Manor Elementary School as a way for students to strengthen bonds with classmates and improve their communication skills. 

It was a kid-friendly version of the speed dating concept, as each pair of students spent about three minutes talking before it was time to move on. Teacher Amanda Turturro provided a different prompt for each interaction, in which students were given two options and had to discuss their preference. There was hamburger vs. hot dog, waterpark vs. rollercoaster, flip flops vs. Crocs, skateboard vs. bicycle and more.  

Over 10 rounds, students practiced skills related to the Seaford Scholar Profile trait of communicator. They spoke clearly, listened intently and made eye contact.  

“I liked that you get to know the other person what they like,” student Khloe Martinez said. “You get to see more personality in them.” 

“We talked to different people and we made more friends,” added Dilan Kalyan. 

Ms. Turturro said that friendship shuffle was very successful and wants to do it in the future as a getting-to-know-you activity at the beginning of the school year. She said the feedback from students was very positive, as they noted that they felt heard and included. Throughout the year, they have been learning about the 10 Seaford Scholar traits and this was a good way to put the lessons on being a good communicator into practice.