Lesson Plan
Chat & Share Lesson Plan
Students will practice turn-taking and making simple requests using visual supports and interactive games to enhance foundational communication skills and build confidence.
Teaching turn-taking and requesting fosters social communication, expressive language, and confidence in Pre-K children with autism, supporting successful peer interactions and readiness for more complex academic tasks.
Audience
Pre-K Students with Autism
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on games with visual cues to model and scaffold communication.
Materials
Turn-Taking Visual Cue Cards (Turn-Taking Visual Cue Cards), - Simple Request Picture Cards (Simple Request Picture Cards), - Shared Toy or Ball, - Visual Timer (Visual Timer), and - Visual Sequence Schedule Chart (Visual Sequence Schedule Chart)
Prep
Preparation
10 minutes
- Print and cut out Turn-Taking Visual Cue Cards and Simple Request Picture Cards
- Mount Visual Sequence Schedule Chart in the activity area
- Charge or set up Visual Timer
- Gather the Shared Toy or Ball and place it where all students can access it
- Review Chat & Share Lesson Plan and generated materials as needed
Step 1
Warm-Up and Introduction
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle and point to the first icon on the Visual Sequence Schedule Chart
- Briefly explain today’s activities using simple language and visuals
- Show and describe the Turn-Taking Visual Cue Cards for 'My Turn' and 'Your Turn'
- Model a simple greeting and turn-taking exchange with the ball
Step 2
Turn-Taking Game
10 minutes
- Explain the rules: each child passes the ball when it’s ‘Your Turn’ using the cue cards
- Demonstrate passing the ball back and forth, prompting students to hold up the correct Turn-Taking Visual Cue Card
- Use the Visual Timer to show how long each turn lasts (5–10 seconds)
- Encourage waiting and looking for the card to know when to pass
- Provide praise and gestures when students follow the cue cards correctly
Step 3
Simple Request Activity
10 minutes
- Transition with the next icon on the Visual Sequence Schedule Chart
- Introduce Simple Request Picture Cards (e.g., ball, snack, toy)
- Model making a request: point to a picture card and say “I want ball” or use a cue card
- Invite each student to pick a picture card and practice requesting the item
- Respond by handing over the item or a representation, and reinforce with positive feedback
- Remind students to wait for their turn using the Turn-Taking Visual Cue Cards
Step 4
Closure and Review
5 minutes
- Return to the circle and review the final icon on the Visual Sequence Schedule Chart
- Ask students to show their favorite cue card or picture card from today’s lesson
- Provide group praise for turn-taking and requesting efforts
- Preview the next activity or day’s schedule using the chart
Slide Deck
Chat & Share
Turn-Taking & Requests
Welcome friends! Today we are going to play Chat & Share. Say “Hello!” and wave to your friends. Point to the title slide: “Chat & Share: Turn-Taking & Requests.”
Today's Plan
- Warm-Up
- Turn-Taking Game
- Simple Requests
- Review
Point to each step as you say it: “First, we warm up. Then, we play the turn-taking game. Next, we make requests. Finally, we review.” Show the real Visual Sequence Schedule Chart in the room.
Turn-Taking Cues
👉 My Turn 👈 Your Turn
Hold up the ‘My Turn’ and ‘Your Turn’ cards. Say each phrase and point to yourself or a friend. Encourage children to lift their own cue cards.
Pass the Ball
Pass the ball when you see 👈 Your Turn
Show the ball and explain: “When you see ‘Your Turn,’ pass the ball to a friend.” Model once, then invite each child to pass the ball using the cue cards. Use the Visual Timer so turns are short.
Make a Request
🏀 Ball 🍎 Snack 🧸 Toy
Display each picture card from Simple Request Picture Cards. Model “I want ball” while pointing. Then invite each child to pick a card and say “I want ___.” Give them the item and praise.
Great Job!
You took turns!
You made requests!
Gather everyone back in a circle. Say “Show me your favorite card!” Praise each child: “Great job taking turns!” and “Great job asking!” Point to the schedule and say, “We did it!”
Warm Up
Chat & Share Warm-Up
Total Time: 5 minutes
Materials
- Visual Sequence Schedule Chart (Visual Sequence Schedule Chart)
Steps
- Gather in a Circle (1 minute)
• Invite all students to sit or stand in a circle.
• Smile and say, “Hello, friends!” - Peer Greeting (2 minutes)
• Model waving and saying “Hi, [Name]!” to the class.
• Cue each child to turn to a neighbor, wave, and say “Hi!”
• Provide verbal praise (“Great job saying hi!”) and a thumbs-up. - Introduce Today’s Plan (2 minutes)
• Point to the first icon on the Visual Sequence Schedule Chart.
• Use simple language: “We will play a game, then we will ask for things, and then we will review!”
• Ask, “What comes first?” and wait briefly for students to point or say “Warm-up!”
• Give enthusiastic feedback (“Yes, warm-up first!”) and transition to the next activity.
Activity
Visual Supports Templates
Printable, high-contrast visuals for Pre-K learners with autism.
Turn-Taking Visual Cue Cards
Cut along dashed lines
Card A: My Turn
| |
| 👉 My Turn |
| (Point to self when it’s your turn) |
| |
Card B: Your Turn
| |
| Your Turn 👈 |
| (Pass to a friend when it’s their turn) |
| |
Simple Request Picture Cards
Each card shows an item and label
🏀 Ball
| |
| 🏀 |
| Ball |
| |
🍎 Snack
| |
| 🍎 |
| Snack |
| |
🧸 Toy
| |
| 🧸 |
| Toy |
| |
Visual Sequence Schedule Chart Icons
Use these icons to show today’s steps on your chart
🔵 Warm-Up (Circle Greeting)
⚽ Turn-Taking Game
🍎 Requests
✅ Review
Cut and mount these icons in order on a pocket chart or whiteboard to guide the lesson sequence.
Cool Down
Chat & Share Cool-Down
Total Time: 5 minutes
Materials
- Visual Sequence Schedule Chart (Visual Sequence Schedule Chart)
- Turn-Taking Visual Cue Cards (Turn-Taking Visual Cue Cards)
- Simple Request Picture Cards (Simple Request Picture Cards)
Steps
- Gather in a Circle (1 minute)
• Invite students to return to the circle and point to the final icon (✅ Review) on the Visual Sequence Schedule Chart.
• Say, “Let’s finish with our cool-down!” - Show Your Favorite Card (2 minutes)
• Ask each child to pick up their favorite cue card or picture card from today’s lesson.
• Prompt them to hold it up and say, “My favorite is ___.”
• Provide support by pointing to the card and modeling the phrase. - Group Review & Praise (2 minutes)
• Recap: “You practiced taking turns and making requests!”
• Point to the 🔵 Turn-Taking and 🍎 Requests icons on the schedule.
• Offer enthusiastic group praise: “Great job, everyone—wonderful communicators!”
• Transition: Preview the next activity by pointing to tomorrow’s first icon or invite helpers to collect and put away the cards.