Chat Champions

Rhae Navarro

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Keep the Chat Going Lesson Plan

Students will build simple, structured conversation skills—active listening, follow-up questions, and positive body language—using clear visuals and step-by-step cues to boost social confidence.

Structured, visual routines reduce anxiety and support social communication for 5th graders with autism, helping them connect with peers and feel successful.

Audience

5th Grade Students with Autism

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Visual supports, predictable steps, sensory breaks

Materials

Conversation Strategies Handout, - Active Listening Scenarios Sheet, - Follow-Up Questions Poster, - Visual Schedule Cards, - Social Story: Chatting with Friends, and - Sensory Support Tools (fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones)

Prep

Material and Room Preparation

10 minutes

Print copies of Conversation Strategies Handout for each student
Print and cut scenario cards from Active Listening Scenarios Sheet
Print Follow-Up Questions Poster, Visual Schedule Cards, and Social Story: Chatting with Friends
Display the visual schedule cards in sequence where all students can see
Arrange desks into clearly marked pairs with visual boundary strips
Place sensory support tools (fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones) on a side table
Review the social story to familiarize yourself with the narrative and discussion prompts

Step 1

Visual Schedule & Social Story

5 minutes

Show Visual Schedule Cards and walk through each step: Introduction → Teach Strategies → Practice → Break → Debrief
Read aloud Social Story: Chatting with Friends with students, pointing to pictures as you go
Ask students to identify the picture that shows good listening (ear icon)

Step 2

Teach Strategies with Visuals

10 minutes

Distribute Conversation Strategies Handout
Guide students through each visual icon: ear = listen, question mark = ask a follow-up, smile = body language
Use Follow-Up Questions Poster to model one closed and one open question, pointing to each image
Role-play slowly with a volunteer: listen (ear icon), paraphrase, then ask a question (question mark icon)

Step 3

Structured Pair Practice

10 minutes

Have students sit in pairs and choose one card from Active Listening Scenarios Sheet
Place a visible timer on the board for 3 minutes per role
Provide each student a three-step cue card: 1. Listen (ear icon) 2. Paraphrase (speech bubble icon) 3. Ask a question (question mark icon)
Students use sensory tools as needed; teacher circulates to offer visual prompts and praise successes
After 3 minutes, cue switch and repeat with a new scenario

Step 4

Sensory Break & Debrief

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Chat Champions: Keep the Conversation Going

Engaging conversations through active listening, thoughtful questions, and positive body language.

Welcome students and introduce the lesson. State today’s goal: learning to keep conversations engaging and respectful through active listening, thoughtful questions, and positive body language.

Today’s Objectives

• Understand active listening
• Practice asking follow-up questions
• Demonstrate positive body language
• Strengthen peer connections

Read through each objective and explain why it’s important. Highlight how these skills will help students connect with peers.

What Makes a Conversation Engaging?

Think of a time you had a great chat.
What did the speaker do to keep you interested?

Ask: “Think of a time you had a great chat. What did the speaker do to keep you interested?” Encourage 2–3 students to share, and jot their ideas on the board.

Active Listening

• Summarize or paraphrase (“So you’re saying…”)
• Ask clarifying questions (“What do you mean by…?”)
• Mirror tone or language
• Maintain steady eye contact

Example: “So you found that math problem tricky?”

Define each listening strategy. Model with a volunteer: summarize a statement, then ask “What do you mean by…?”

Follow-Up Questions

• Closed (yes/no): “Did you enjoy the game?”
• Open: “What was your favorite part?”
• Try: “How did that make you feel?”

Explain closed vs. open questions. Role-play a brief exchange: teacher asks “Did you enjoy the game?” then “What was your favorite part?”

Positive Body Language

• Open posture (arms uncrossed)
• Nodding and smiling
• Leaning in slightly
• Maintaining eye contact

Why it matters: Shows you’re attentive.

Show each body language cue. Invite two volunteers to demonstrate open posture, nodding, leaning in, and eye contact.

Pair Practice Prompt

Choose a scenario card from Active Listening Scenarios Sheet
Student A reads; Student B listens and asks a follow-up question
Switch roles and pick a new card
Use techniques from the handout

Explain the steps and distribute cards from Active Listening Scenarios Sheet and the Conversation Strategies Handout. Circulate and offer feedback.

Debrief & Reflect

• What worked well?
• What was challenging?
• How will you use these strategies outside of class?

Invite 3–4 pairs to share what worked well and what challenges they faced. Record key takeaways and ask how they’ll apply these skills outside class.

Worksheet

Conversation Strategies Handout

Objective: Learn three key strategies to keep conversations engaging and respectful.

1. Active Listening

When you active listen, you show the speaker you care by:

Summarizing or paraphrasing their message ("So you’re saying…")
Asking clarifying questions ("What do you mean by…?")
Mirroring the speaker’s words or tone
Maintaining steady eye contact and attentive posture

Example:
Friend: “I had the hardest time with math today.”
You: “It sounds like that algebra problem was really tricky for you.”

Your Turn: Write a summary or paraphrase you could use after someone tells you about their weekend.

2. Asking Follow-Up Questions

Follow-up questions show interest and keep the chat going.

Closed question (yes/no): “Did you like the book?”
Open question (descriptive): “What was your favorite part of the book?”

Example:
“What did you enjoy most about the game today?”

Your Turn: Think of two open-ended follow-up questions you could ask a friend about their hobby.

3. Positive Body Language

Your nonverbal cues can encourage the speaker to share more.

Open posture (no crossed arms)
Nodding and smiling
Leaning in slightly
Maintaining eye contact

Example:
Nod and say, “That’s interesting!” as someone explains their idea.

Your Turn: Describe two body language cues you will use to show you’re listening:

Reflection

Which conversation strategy do you find most challenging and why? Write a paragraph explaining your thoughts.

Activity

Active Listening Scenarios Sheet

Cut these scenario cards apart. In pairs, take turns being Student A (the speaker) and Student B (the listener). Student A reads their scenario aloud. Student B practices active listening, uses positive body language, and asks at least one thoughtful follow-up question. Then switch roles and move to the next card.

Scenario 1
“I feel like nobody listens to my ideas during group work. It’s so frustrating that I don’t even want to share anymore.”

Scenario 2
“My family is moving to a new neighborhood next month, and I’m really nervous about starting at a new school.”

Scenario 3
“I tried out for the school play but didn’t get the part I wanted. I feel really disappointed and not good enough.”

Scenario 4
“Yesterday I scored my first goal in soccer. I was so excited, but I also felt a bit embarrassed when everyone cheered.”

Scenario 5
“I stayed up late last night studying for the history test, and now I’m exhausted, but I still can’t focus in class.”

Scenario 6
“I spent all weekend painting a picture for art class, but someone accidentally spilled water on it and ruined my work.”

Lesson Plan

Chat Champions Lesson Plan

Equip students with practical strategies—active listening, thoughtful follow-up questions, and positive body language—to maintain engaging, respectful conversations.

Strong conversational skills foster empathy, boost peer connections, and create a positive classroom community—essential social competencies for 7th graders.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, paired role-play, and group reflection.

Materials

Conversation Strategies Handout, - Active Listening Scenarios Sheet, - Follow-Up Questions Poster, - Keep the Chat Going Slides, and - Whiteboard and Markers

Prep

Material and Room Preparation

7 minutes

Print enough copies of Conversation Strategies Handout for each student
Print and cut apart cards from Active Listening Scenarios Sheet
Display Follow-Up Questions Poster where all can see
Queue up Keep the Chat Going Slides on the projector
Arrange desks into pairs and have whiteboard and markers ready
Review all materials to familiarize yourself with key talking points

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Welcome students and state today’s objective: improving conversation skills
Ask: “What makes a conversation engaging?” and record 2–3 student responses
Define on the board: active listening, follow-up questions, and positive body language

Step 2

Teach Strategies

10 minutes

Distribute Conversation Strategies Handout
Use Keep the Chat Going Slides to review active listening strategies and model examples
Point to Follow-Up Questions Poster to demonstrate open vs. closed questions
Show positive body language cues: open posture, nodding, smiling

Step 3

Pair Practice

10 minutes

Have students pair up and choose a card from Active Listening Scenarios Sheet
Student A reads their scenario while Student B practices active listening and asks at least one follow-up question
After 3–4 minutes, switch roles and pick a new scenario
Teacher circulates to observe, offer feedback, and note strong examples

Step 4

Debrief & Reflect

5 minutes

Bring the class together and invite 3–4 pairs to share what worked well and what was challenging
Record key takeaways on the whiteboard
Ask: “How will you apply these strategies in your conversations outside of class?”