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Break Signal Power

Lesson Plan

Break Request Lesson Plan

Students will use a laminated visual break card to independently request a break by pointing or handing it to the teacher within a 20-minute session.

Teaching a clear, nonverbal way to request a break empowers PreK students with autism to self-advocate, regulate emotions, and stay engaged in class.

Audience

PreK Students with Autism

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Model, guided practice, and positive reinforcement with visual supports.

Materials

  • Break Request Visual Card, - Break Card Storage Pouch, - Visual Timer, - Reinforcement Stickers or Tokens, and - Stuffed Animal or Puppet for Modeling

Prep

Prepare Visual Supports

5 minutes

  • Print, cut, and laminate multiple copies of the Break Request Visual Card
  • Place laminated cards in the Break Card Storage Pouch at a reachable spot
  • Gather reinforcement stickers or tokens and set the Visual Timer to zero

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and show the Break Request Visual Card
  • Say: “When you feel you need a break, you can use this card.”
  • Demonstrate holding up the card and saying “Break, please.”

Step 2

Modeling

5 minutes

  • Use the Stuffed Animal/Puppet: have it “feel tired” and silently pick up the card
  • Teacher labels: “Oh, Teddy needs a break!” and hands him a quiet corner
  • Repeat once more, narrating each step slowly

Step 3

Guided Practice

10 minutes

  • Invite each child: “If you want a break, show me the card.”
  • Prompt as needed (gestural → verbal → physical guidance)
  • Student picks or points to the Break Request Visual Card and gives it to teacher
  • Teacher responds: “Great job asking for a break!” and awards a sticker/token
  • Repeat 2–3 times, fading prompts when possible

Step 4

Wrap-Up and Review

3 minutes

  • Reconvene group and hold up the card: “What is this for?”
  • Encourage responses (“Break!”)
  • Praise all: “You all did a fantastic job asking for a break!”
  • Store cards back in the pouch and celebrate success.
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Slide Deck

Break Signal Power

How to Ask for a Break

Welcome everyone! Today we are going to learn a special way to ask for a break in our classroom. Get excited and hold up your eyes!

Today's Objective

Students will use the break card to independently ask for a break.

Point to the slide as you speak. Say: “Our goal today is to use a picture card to tell me when you need a break. That helps us feel calm and keep having fun.”

Break Request Visual Card

Use this card when you need a break:

Break Request Visual Card

Hold up the real card and pass it around if possible. Say: “This is our Break Request Visual Card. When you feel tired or need quiet time, show me this card.”

Modeling with Teddy

  1. Teddy feels tired.
  2. Teddy picks up the break card.
  3. Teddy shows the card to the teacher.

Bring out the stuffed animal or puppet. Model silently picking up the card. Narrate: “Oh, Teddy is feeling tired. Teddy picks up the card and shows it to me. Great asking, Teddy!”

Guided Practice

• Child shows or hands over the card
• Teacher responds: “Great job asking for a break!”
• Give a sticker or token as a reward

Invite each child by name. Say: “Now it’s your turn! If you want a break, show me the card.” Provide gestural then verbal prompts as needed, then fade prompts.

Wrap-Up & Review

• What is this for? (“Break!”)
• Praise every student
• Store the cards and celebrate success

Hold up the visual card one more time. Ask: “What do we use this card for?” Celebrate every response. Then say: “Fantastic! You all did a wonderful job asking for a break!”

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Activity

Break Request Visual Card

Break Request Visual Card

⎡──────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ ⏸️ BREAK, PLEASE ⏸️ │
│ │
│ (Show this card when you need a rest, │
│ quiet time, or a little break.) │
│ │
⎣──────────────────────────────────────────┘

Instructions for Use:

  • Cut out and laminate this card at ~4"×6" size.
  • Add a Velcro dot or clip so students can grab it easily.
  • Store cards in a pouch or at each child’s workstation.
  • When a student needs a break, they point to or hand this card to the teacher.

Visual Features:

  • Large pause icons (⏸️) flanking the bold text.
  • Clear, simple wording: “BREAK, PLEASE.”
  • Defined border to draw attention.

Printable Version Tip:

  • If you’d like to print multiple cards per page, scale down to fit 2–4 on an 8½×11 sheet.
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