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Chat & Share

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

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
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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

  1. Warm-Up
  2. Turn-Taking Game
  3. Simple Requests
  4. 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!”

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Warm Up

Chat & Share Warm-Up

Total Time: 5 minutes

Materials

Steps

  1. Gather in a Circle (1 minute)
    • Invite all students to sit or stand in a circle.
    • Smile and say, “Hello, friends!”
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
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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.




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Cool Down

Chat & Share Cool-Down

Total Time: 5 minutes

Materials

Steps

  1. 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!”
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

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Chat & Share • Lenny Learning