Lesson Plan
Chat Champions Lesson Plan
Students will practice greeting peers, initiating short conversations using starter questions, and demonstrating turn-taking to build confidence and positive social interactions.
Many students with intellectual disabilities benefit from structured social skills practice. This lesson supports improved peer relationships, communication confidence, and participation in group settings.
Audience
Students with Intellectual Disabilities (Tier 2 Small Group)
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Modeling, visual supports, and role-play.
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials and Space
10 minutes
- Print and cut out Greeting Visuals and Conversation Starter Cards.
- Load or project the Turn-Taking Spinner.
- Preview prompts on Role-Play Scenario Prompt Sheet.
- Review the Behavior Checklist to track student progress.
- Arrange chairs in a circle to facilitate group interaction.
Step 1
Warm-Up Greetings
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle.
- Use Greeting Visuals to review simple greetings (e.g., “Hello,” “Good morning”).
- Teacher models greeting a peer with eye contact and a clear voice.
- Each student practices greeting the person next to them.
- Accommodations: Provide sentence starters or allow pointing to visuals.
Step 2
Model Conversation Starters
5 minutes
- Display two Conversation Starter Cards (e.g., “What’s your favorite color?”, “Do you like animals?”).
- Teacher models asking and answering questions with clear, simple sentences.
- Highlight turn-taking: one speaker at a time.
- Students identify the key parts of a good question and response.
Step 3
Role-Play Practice
10 minutes
- Pair students and distribute the Role-Play Scenario Prompt Sheet.
- Students take turns using Conversation Starter Cards to start a short dialogue.
- Teacher circulates, provides prompts or rephrases, and notes successes on the Behavior Checklist.
- Scaffold as needed with visual cues or sentence frames.
Step 4
Turn-Taking Spinner Game
5 minutes
- Introduce the Turn-Taking Spinner.
- Students spin and speak for the number of seconds indicated.
- Peers listen silently, then respond when it’s their turn.
- Teacher reinforces effective listening and positive feedback based on the Behavior Checklist.
Step 5
Wrap-Up and Feedback
5 minutes
- Reconvene in the circle.
- Invite each student to share one thing they did well today.
- Provide specific praise tied to items on the Behavior Checklist.
- Remind students to use their new greeting and conversation skills throughout the day.
Slide Deck
Chat Champions: Social Skills
• Practice greetings
• Learn conversation starters
• Role-play dialogs
• Play a turn-taking spinner game
• Share successes
Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s session: “Chat Champions.” Explain that we will learn three key social skills—greetings, starting a chat, and taking turns—to feel more confident talking with friends.
Warm-Up: Greetings
- Review simple greetings: “Hello,” “Good morning.”
- Teacher models greeting a peer.
- Students practice around the circle.
- Use visuals or sentence starters as needed.
Display the Greeting Visuals. Model saying “Hello” with a smile and eye contact. Encourage students to stand and greet the person next to them.
Conversation Starters
• What’s your favorite color?
• Do you like animals?
• Where do you like to play?
• Identify question + response parts
• Highlight turn-taking
Show two example cards from Conversation Starter Cards. Model asking “What’s your favorite color?” and responding. Emphasize one speaker at a time.
Role-Play Practice
- Work in pairs.
- Use starter cards to begin a short chat.
- Take turns speaking and listening.
- Teacher supports with visuals or frames.
Pair students and hand out the Role-Play Scenario Prompt Sheet. Circulate to prompt or rephrase. Use the Behavior Checklist to note successes.
Turn-Taking Spinner Game
• Spin the spinner
• Speak for the indicated seconds
• Peers listen quietly
• Then switch roles
• Teacher gives positive feedback
Project or pass around the Turn-Taking Spinner. Model spinning, speaking for the allotted time, and then passing. Reinforce good listening.
Visual Supports & Materials
Point to each visual support and explain how they help. Remind students they can use these tools anytime they need help starting a conversation.
Wrap-Up & Feedback
• Each student shares a success
• Teacher gives specific praise
• Remind to use new skills today
• Encourage daily practice
Bring the group back together. Invite everyone to share one thing they did well today. Offer specific praise aligned with the checklist.
Worksheet
Conversation Starter Practice
1. Matching
Match the conversation starter on the left with the best response on the right. Write the letter in the blank space.
Questions:
- What’s your favorite color? _____
- Do you like animals? _____
- Where do you like to play? _____
Responses:
A. My favorite color is blue.
B. Yes, I like animals.
C. I like to play at the park.
2. Fill in the Blank
Fill in the missing word(s) to complete each question or response.
-
A: “What’s your _________?”
-
A: “Do you _________ animals?”
-
B: “My favorite _________ is _________.”
3. Your Turn
Write one conversation starter question you can ask a friend. Make sure it has a question word (e.g., What, Do, Where).
Answer Key
Starter Worksheet Answer Key
This key supports consistent scoring and guides teachers through each item with step-by-step reasoning.
1. Matching (3 points)
Match each question to the correct response.
| Question No. | Correct Response | Teacher Reasoning | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | “What’s your favorite color?” → “My favorite color is blue.” | 1 |
| 2 | B | “Do you like animals?” → “Yes, I like animals.” | 1 |
| 3 | C | “Where do you like to play?” → “I like to play at the park.” | 1 |
Scoring: 1 point for each correct match.
2. Fill in the Blank (4 points)
Complete each sentence by filling in the missing word(s).
-
A: “What’s your _________?”
• Correct fill: favorite color
(1 point for each word: “favorite” + “color” = 2 points) -
A: “Do you _________ animals?”
• Correct fill: like
(1 point) -
B: “My favorite _________ is _________.”
• Correct fill: color (1 point) and a student-chosen color such as blue (1 point)
(Total 2 points)
Scoring:
- Q1: 2 points total (1 per word)
- Q2: 1 point
- Q3: 2 points (1 for first blank, 1 for second blank)
3. Your Turn (up to 2 points)
Students write an original conversation starter question. Expect a question word (What, Do, Where, etc.) and proper structure.
Rubric:
- 1 point: Correct question structure (e.g., begins with a question word + subject + verb)
- 1 point: Relevance and punctuation (ends with a question mark, on a social topic)
Example of a full-credit response:
“Where do you like to play?”
Total possible points: 3 (Matching) + 4 (Fill in the Blank) + 2 (Your Turn) = 9 points
Use this key to guide feedback and highlight correct patterns for future practice.
Cool Down
Quick Chat Reflection
Reflect on Your Conversation Skills
-
Today I practiced (circle one):
- Greeting
- Asking a question
- Taking turns
-
One thing I did well today was:
-
Next time I want to try:
-
How does practicing this skill help you talk with friends?