Lesson Plan
Chat Champions Lesson Plan
Students will learn and practice effective conversation skills—active listening, asking follow-up questions, and showing empathy—by engaging in guided role-play and peer feedback activities.
Strong conversational skills help students build empathy, resolve conflicts, and form positive peer relationships, supporting a respectful classroom community.
Audience
4th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Modeling, discussion, and role-play
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and cut out all Role-Play Scenario Cards.
- Make copies of the Conversation Starters Worksheet and Reflection Journal Template for each student.
- Prepare a stack of Peer Feedback Checklists.
- Arrange chairs in pairs or small circles for role-play sessions.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle and introduce the key skills: active listening, asking follow-up questions, and showing empathy.
- Ask volunteers to share times they had a good conversation with a friend and what made it work.
- Highlight how these skills help peers feel heard and respected.
Step 2
Modeling Skills
5 minutes
- Select two volunteers and read one Role-Play Scenario Card.
- Teacher models a conversation using the skills: “I hear you…” and “That sounds interesting—can you tell me more?”
- Debrief: Ask students to identify which skills they observed.
Step 3
Guided Practice
8 minutes
- Divide students into pairs and hand out a different Role-Play Scenario Card to each pair.
- Distribute Conversation Starters Worksheets.
- Students practice their conversation, taking turns, using the worksheet prompts.
- Circulate and coach pairs, reinforcing skill use.
Step 4
Peer Feedback
7 minutes
- Give each student a Peer Feedback Checklist.
- Pairs swap roles, practice a second scenario, and then complete the checklist: Did your partner listen actively? Ask a follow-up? Show empathy?
- Encourage specific, positive comments and one suggestion for improvement.
Step 5
Reflection & Share
5 minutes
- Invite students to return to the circle and share one insight in their Reflection Journal Template.
- Prompt: “What skill did you use best today? What will you practice next time?”
- Collect journals to review and inform future instruction.
Slide Deck
Chat Champions
Agenda:
- Introduction to Key Skills
- Modeling a Conversation
- Guided Practice
- Peer Feedback
- Reflection & Share
Welcome students to today’s Chat Champions session. Briefly explain that they will learn and practice three key conversation skills and use role-play, feedback, and reflection to become stronger communicators.
Key Conversation Skills
• Active Listening: Pay full attention and show you care.
• Asking Follow-Up Questions: Encourage more detail with “Can you tell me more?”
• Showing Empathy: Acknowledge feelings with “I understand how you feel.”
Introduce and define each skill. Ask students to share quick examples of when they’ve used them with friends or family.
Modeling a Conversation
- Teacher reads a scenario from the card.
- Teacher and volunteer role-play using targeted skills.
- Class identifies where active listening, follow-up questions, and empathy were used.
Select two volunteers and read one Role-Play Scenario Card. Model the conversation using each skill. Afterward, ask the class which skills they noticed.
Guided Practice
• Form pairs and choose a scenario card.
• Use the Conversation Starters Worksheet to guide your talk.
• Take turns speaking and listening, applying each skill.
Have students pair up and distribute a different Role-Play Scenario Card and a Conversation Starters Worksheet. Circulate to coach and praise skill use.
Peer Feedback
• Swap roles and pick a new scenario.
• Complete the checklist: Did your partner listen actively? Ask a follow-up? Show empathy?
• Give one positive comment and one tip to improve.
Hand out the Peer Feedback Checklist. Pairs swap roles and run a second scenario. Encourage specific, positive feedback and one suggestion.
Reflection & Share
• Write:
– One skill you used best today
– One skill you’ll practice next time
• Volunteer to share insights with the class.
Ask students to return to the circle with their Reflection Journal Template. Prompt sharing and collect journals to inform future lessons.
Great Job, Chat Champions!
Remember to:
• Listen actively
• Ask follow-up questions
• Show empathy
Keep practicing to have strong, respectful conversations!
Summarize the importance of practicing these skills every day. Encourage students to try them during recess and at home.
Activity
Role-Play Scenario Cards
Use these scenario cards to guide paired conversations. Each pair draws a card and practices active listening, asking follow-up questions, and showing empathy.
- Bad Grade Blues
Your partner is upset because they got a lower grade than they expected on a math quiz. Start a conversation to help them feel supported and encouraged.
- Forgotten Lunch
Your friend realizes they left their lunch at home and feels hungry and embarrassed. Talk with them and help them figure out a solution.
- New Kid Jitters
A new student just joined your class and looks nervous. Introduce yourself and help them feel welcome.
- Weekend Adventure
Your partner spent the weekend at a lake and is excited to share what happened. Ask questions to learn more about their trip.
- Lost Pet Worry
Your friend’s cat ran away last night, and they’re worried. Talk with them, show empathy, and ask how you can help.
- Team Game Disagreement
Two classmates disagreed during recess over who gets to be on the same team. Practice helping them talk it out calmly.
- Dance Recital Nerves
Your friend is nervous about performing in the school dance recital next week. Ask about their feelings and help them feel confident.
- Science Project Excitement
Your partner just finished a cool volcano project and wants to tell you all about it. Show interest and ask follow-up questions.
Worksheet
Conversation Starters Worksheet
Use these prompts to practice active listening, asking follow-up questions, and showing empathy. Complete each section, then try out a short dialogue using one of the Role-Play Scenario Cards.
Section 1: Active Listening
Show you’re paying attention by filling in these responses.
- “I hear you ___ because ___.”
- “It sounds like ___.”
Section 2: Follow-Up Questions
Write two questions that help you learn more.
- “Can you tell me more about ___?”
- “What happened when ___?”
Section 3: Showing Empathy
Use these starters to show you care about their feelings.
- “I understand how you feel about ___.”
- “That must have been ___.”
Section 4: Practice Dialogue
Choose a scenario from the Role-Play Scenario Cards. Write a short conversation below, using your starters.
Scenario: ___________________________
You: ________________________________
Partner: _____________________________
You: ________________________________
Partner: _____________________________
Great work! Practice these with different partners and scenarios to become a true Chat Champion.
Activity
Peer Feedback Checklist
Use this checklist to give your partner helpful, kind feedback after your second role-play. Complete each section.
- Active Listening
• Did your partner give you their full attention and use listening phrases like “I hear you…” or “It sounds like…”?
Yes ☐ No ☐
Comments:
- Follow-Up Questions
• Did your partner ask at least one question to learn more, such as “Can you tell me more about…?” or “What happened when…?”
Yes ☐ No ☐
Comments:
- Showing Empathy
• Did your partner acknowledge your feelings with phrases like “I understand how you feel…” or “That must have been…”?
Yes ☐ No ☐
Comments:
- One Positive Comment
Write something your partner did really well:
- One Suggestion for Improvement
Offer one kind tip to help your partner get even better:
Journal
Chat Champions Reflection Journal Template
Date: ____________________________
1. Skill I Used Best Today
What conversation skill (active listening, asking follow-up questions, or showing empathy) did I use most effectively?
2. Why This Skill Mattered
How did using this skill help my partner or the conversation?
3. Skill to Practice More
Which skill do I want to get even better at next time?
4. My Action Plan
What specific steps will I take before our next session to practice this skill?
5. One Thing I Learned About Being a Good Friend
Reflect on how conversations help you build strong, caring relationships.
6. My Conversation Goal for Next Time
Write one clear goal you want to achieve in our next Chat Champions activity.