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Chat & Connect

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Lesson Plan

Chat & Connect Lesson Plan

Guide Jaskiran to initiate and sustain simple conversations confidently by practicing social opening-up skills through engaging activities and reflection.

Building conversational confidence helps Jaskiran connect with peers, reduces anxiety in social settings, and supports her communication growth within and beyond the classroom.

Audience

Individual student with autism (Tier 3 support)

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive practice, games, and reflection foster real-time skill-building.

Materials

Chat & Connect Slide Deck, Conversation Starters Worksheet, Role-Play Dialogue Cards, Social Bingo Game Set, and Conversation Confidence Quiz

Prep

Lesson Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up and Rapport Building

5 minutes

  • Greet Jaskiran warmly and ask how her day is going.
  • Use a simple icebreaker question (e.g., “What’s your favorite game and why?”) to ease into conversation.
  • Reinforce any response with positive feedback to boost her confidence.

Step 2

Introduction to Social Opening

10 minutes

  • Display slide 1–5 of the Chat & Connect Slide Deck.
  • Discuss why starting a conversation is important (friendship, sharing ideas).
  • Highlight key phrases (e.g., “Hi, how are you?”, “I like….”).
  • Ask Jaskiran to repeat each phrase aloud and practice tone.

Step 3

Conversation Starters Practice

10 minutes

  • Hand Jaskiran the Conversation Starters Worksheet.
  • Review each prompt together (e.g., hobbies, favorite shows).
  • Model how to answer and follow up with a question.
  • Have Jaskiran fill in two prompts and practice saying them out loud.

Step 4

Role-Play Dialogue Game

15 minutes

  • Use the Role-Play Dialogue Cards.
  • Jaskiran draws a card with a scenario (e.g., “Meet someone at lunch”).
  • She practices initiating and responding; teacher or aide plays the other role.
  • Rotate through 4–5 cards, offering supportive feedback on tone and eye contact.

Step 5

Social Bingo Activity

10 minutes

  • Give Jaskiran the Social Bingo Game Set.
  • Explain bingo squares feature actions (e.g., “Ask a question,” “Smile”).
  • As she completes each action role-played by the teacher, she marks the square.
  • Aim for a bingo row to reinforce varied social behaviors.

Step 6

Reflection and Quiz

10 minutes

  • Prompt Jaskiran to reflect: “Which opener felt easiest?” and “What will you try tomorrow?”
  • Complete the Conversation Confidence Quiz together.
  • Review quiz results and set one social goal for the next interaction.
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Slide Deck

Chat & Connect: Opening Conversations

One 60-minute session to build social opening-up skills and confidence.

Welcome the student to the session. Introduce yourself and explain that today’s lesson is about starting conversations. Encourage a positive, relaxed atmosphere.

Lesson Objectives

  • Learn to initiate simple conversations
  • Practice key opening phrases
  • Build confidence in social settings

Read each objective aloud. Emphasize that these goals will guide our activities. Ask if any seem especially important or interesting.

Why Conversation Skills Matter

  • Help form friendships and connections
  • Share ideas and interests
  • Reduce anxiety in social situations

Discuss each bullet. Ask why making friends and sharing ideas matters. Highlight that feeling less anxious comes with practice.

Key Opening Phrases

  • "Hi, how are you?"
  • "I like _____, how about you?"
  • "Have you seen/heard _____?"
  • "What’s your favorite _____?"

Display each phrase. Model tone and eye contact. Invite the student to repeat after you and practice with feeling.

Examples in Action

Scenario 1:
You: "Hi, how are you?"
Peer: "I’m good, thanks! You?"
You: "I’m great. I like your backpack – where did you get it?"

Scenario 2:
You: "What’s your favorite game?"
Peer: "I love soccer. You?"
You: "I like basketball. Do you play often?"

Walk through the two example dialogues step by step. Role-play with the student: switch roles so they can practice both opening and responding.

Reflection & Next Steps

  • Which opener felt easiest for you?
  • Which phrase will you try tomorrow?
  • Set one small conversation goal for the day

Use these prompts to guide the student’s reflection. Write down their responses and set a goal for next time.

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Worksheet

Conversation Starters Worksheet

Instructions: Fill in your own information in each prompt. Then practice saying these aloud with a partner or by yourself.

  1. Hi, my name is __________________________.



  2. I like ____________________________ because ____________________________.





  3. One of my favorite games/movies/books is ____________________________.



  4. Have you ever ____________________________? (e.g., “Have you ever tried skateboarding?”)





Follow-Up Question

Using your answer from question 2 or 3, write a question you can ask someone else:
______________________________________________________________





Practice Dialogue

Choose one starter above and write a short script for a conversation opener:

You: ____________________________________________________________


Friend: ____________________________________________________________


You: ____________________________________________________________

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Activity

Social Bingo Game Set

Instructions:

  • Give Jaskiran one bingo card and a marker (e.g., chips or pencil).
  • As you prompt or role-play each social action, she listens for the action description.
  • When she performs or observes the action correctly, she marks that square.
  • Aim to complete a straight line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) to win a “Bingo!”
  • Celebrate each Bingo with positive feedback and a small reward (sticker, praise).

Bingo Card Example

BINGO
Ask a questionSmile warmlyGive a complimentMake eye contactSay “Hello!”
Share your nameNod while listeningFree! Wave helloUse a friendly toneAsk “How are you?”
Talk about a hobbyRepeat what you heardTell one fact about yourselfShow your hands relaxedLaugh appropriately
Ask “What do you like?”Use someone’s nameWait patiently before speakingOffer a follow-up questionSay “Thank you”
Tell a favorite gameSay “Nice to meet you”Give a high-fiveMirror their facial expressionInvite them to join

Tip: Print cards in color and laminate for reuse.

Call Sheet for Teacher

  1. Ask a question
  2. Smile warmly
  3. Give a compliment
  4. Make eye contact
  5. Say “Hello!”
  6. Share your name
  7. Nod while listening
  8. (Free!) Wave hello
  9. Use a friendly tone
  10. Ask “How are you?”
  11. Talk about a hobby
  12. Repeat what you heard
  13. Tell one fact about yourself
  14. Show your hands relaxed
  15. Laugh appropriately
  16. Ask “What do you like?”
  17. Use someone’s name
  18. Wait patiently before speaking
  19. Offer a follow-up question
  20. Say “Thank you”
  21. Tell a favorite game
  22. Say “Nice to meet you”
  23. Give a high-five
  24. Mirror their facial expression
  25. Invite them to join

How to Play:

  • Shuffle the call sheet cards (or number slips) and draw one at random.
  • Read the action aloud and model it if needed.
  • Jaskiran performs it to mark her card.
  • Continue until she achieves Bingo.
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Quiz

Conversation Confidence Quiz

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Activity

Role-Play Dialogue Cards

Instructions:

  • Print and cut out each scenario card before the lesson.
  • Shuffle the cards and place them face down on the table.
  • During the Role-Play Dialogue Game, have Jaskiran draw one card at a time.
  • Read the scenario aloud, then encourage her to initiate and respond using the key opening phrases from the Chat & Connect Slide Deck.
  • You (the teacher or aide) play the peer role, modeling tone, eye contact, and asking follow-up questions.
  • Offer supportive feedback after each exchange.
  • Aim to complete 4–5 cards in the 15-minute Role-Play segment.

Scenario Cards

  1. Meet someone at lunch
    You sit next to someone new in the cafeteria. Start a conversation by greeting them and asking what they’re eating.





  2. See a classmate playing a game
    You notice a friend playing a game during break. Ask them what game it is and if you can join.





  3. Weekend plans
    Ask a classmate what they are doing this weekend and share one thing you plan to do.





  4. Compliment a drawing
    You see someone’s drawing in art class. Give a compliment and ask how they made it.





  5. Favorite book
    Ask a peer about their favorite book and share one of yours, then ask a follow-up question about why they like it.





  6. Welcome a new student
    Greet a new student in class. Ask their name and one thing they like to do at school.





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Cool Down

Reflection & Quiz

Instructions: Reflect on today’s activities and complete the self-assessment quiz.

Part 1: Reflection Questions

  1. Which opening phrase or scenario felt easiest for you today?
    Why do you think it felt easiest?






  1. Which phrase or action will you try the next time you talk with a peer?






  1. Write one small conversation goal you want to practice tomorrow (e.g., “I will ask a follow-up question”).






Part 2: Conversation Confidence Quiz

Complete the Conversation Confidence Quiz to rate how confident you feel about your social opening-up skills.

  • Circle your answer for each question.
  • Use your responses to guide your next practice goal.
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