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Communicate with Confidence

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Tondra Dillard-Cobb

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

AAC Kickoff Guide

Students will learn to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools—picture boards and speech-generating devices—to practice inclusive exchanges and express needs confidently.

Many peers have communication delays; introducing AAC tools builds empathy, supports diverse learners, and empowers all students to participate fully in classroom conversations.

Audience

3rd Grade Class

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Hands-on demos, role‐play, and group reflection foster confidence.

Materials

Speak Up! Visual Presentation, Printed Picture Boards (20 sets), Speech-Generating Device (e.g., iPad with AAC App), Picture Exchange Role-Play, Voice Choice Circle, One-Word Reflection, Chairs in a Circle, Sticky Labels, and Reflection Cards

Prep

Prepare Materials & Space

15 minutes

  • Charge and test the Speech-Generating Device (e.g., iPad with AAC App)
  • Print and cut Picture Boards; place sets on tables
  • Print Reflection Cards and distribute Sticky Labels
  • Arrange 10 pairs of chairs for role-play and a larger circle for discussion
  • Review digital guides: Speak Up! Visual Presentation, Picture Exchange Role-Play, Voice Choice Circle, and One-Word Reflection

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle on chairs
  • Ask: “How do we let someone know what we need if we can’t speak?”
  • Briefly explain that some friends use AAC tools to communicate
  • Show slide 1 of Speak Up! Visual Presentation

Step 2

Modeling AAC Tools

10 minutes

  • Advance through slides 2–5 of Speak Up! Visual Presentation
  • Demonstrate selecting a picture on the board and exchanging it
  • Demonstrate using the speech-generating device to say a word
  • Invite two volunteers to model a simple exchange while class watches

Step 3

Picture Exchange Role-Play

15 minutes

  • Divide students into pairs at tables
  • Give each pair a Picture Board and one device
  • Distribute Picture Exchange Role-Play instruction sheets
  • Students take turns requesting an item: one uses picture, partner “responds” by speaking device output, then swap roles
  • Teacher circulates, prompts correct use and encourages full turns

Step 4

Voice Choice Circle

10 minutes

  • Reconvene in the large circle
  • Share four emotion or choice prompts on the device (e.g., “I feel happy,” “I want help”)
  • Use Voice Choice Circle to guide each student in selecting a prompt and playing it aloud
  • Peers respond with thumbs-up or thumbs-down to practice active listening

Step 5

One-Word Reflection

5 minutes

  • Hand out Reflection Cards and Sticky Labels
  • Ask each student to write one word about today’s learning (e.g., “sharing,” “help,” “kind”) on the label and stick it on the class reflection board
  • Use One-Word Reflection for prompts and display examples
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Slide Deck

Speak Up! AAC Tools

How can we share our thoughts and needs when speaking is hard? Let’s explore tools that help us communicate with confidence.

Welcome everyone! Start by asking: “How do we let someone know what we need if we can’t speak?” Encourage responses. Then explain that some friends use AAC tools—let’s learn more!

What Is AAC?

• Augmentative = helps add to speech
• Alternative = another way to communicate

AAC tools support people who cannot always use spoken words.

Explain that AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Emphasize that AAC adds to or replaces speech so everyone can join conversations.

Using Picture Boards

• Boards show pictures for common words (e.g., drink, help, happy)
• Point to or hand over a picture to express a need
• Works anytime—no voice needed!

Show a picture board prop or slide image. Point to selecting a picture of “drink.” Then model handing it to a partner who gives you a drink.

Speech-Generating Devices

• Electronic devices or apps that speak for you
• Select words or pictures on a screen
• Device “voices” what you choose aloud

Display the speech device and navigate to a button for “Hello.” Press it to play audio. Encourage students to notice how technology voices our words.

Let’s See It in Action

  1. Partner A picks a picture: I want water
  2. Partner B presses the device: “Water”
  3. Swap roles and try another request!

Invite two volunteers to come up. Have one use the picture board to request “water,” the other press the device button to speak “water.” Then let them swap roles.

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Activity

Picture Exchange Role-Play

Objective: Practice using AAC tools to request items and respond, building confidence with picture boards and speech-generating devices.

Materials:

  • Picture Boards (one per partner pair)
  • Speech-Generating Device (one per pair)
  • Optional: Scenario Cards (e.g., “I’m thirsty,” “I need help,” “I feel happy”)

Instructions:

  1. Pair Setup (2 mins)
    • Students sit face-to-face in pairs.
    • Distribute one Picture Board and one Device to each pair.
  2. Role-Play Turns (10 mins)
    • Give each pair a Scenario Card or prompt.
    • Partner A:
      • Chooses the correct picture to express the scenario (e.g., picture of a cup for thirst).
      • Hands or points to the picture on the board.
    • Partner B:
      • Reads the choice and presses the matching button on the device to speak the word/phrase.
    • Swap roles—each student practices both requesting and responding at least three times.
  3. Teacher Monitoring (throughout)
    • Circulate and prompt: “Which picture shows ‘help’?” or “Tell me how the device says ‘happy.’”
    • Encourage clear presses: “Press the button all the way so we can hear it!”
    • Reinforce polite interactions: “Remember to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’”
  4. Reflection Share (5 mins)
    • After two full rounds, pause pairs.
    • Ask: “What part was easy? What part was tricky?”
    • Invite a few volunteers to share with the whole class.

Extensions/Adaptations:

  • For advanced students, add multi-word requests (e.g., “I need water”).
  • For additional support, provide picture prompts directly next to the device.



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Discussion

Voice Choice Circle

Objective: Practice expressing emotions or simple choices using speech-generating devices and build active listening skills among peers.

Time: 10 minutes

Materials:

  • Speech-generating device (e.g., AAC app on tablet)
  • Voice Prompt Cards (4–6 cards with statements)
  • Thumbs-up/thumbs-down response chart or signs

Setup:

  • Arrange chairs in a circle with the device placed where everyone can reach it.
  • Shuffle Voice Prompt Cards and place them face down next to the device.

Procedure:

  1. Introduction (1 min)
    • Remind students: “Today we’ll take turns using our voice device to tell how we feel or what we choose.”
    • Show an example card: “I feel happy.”
  2. Modeling (1 min)
    • Teacher draws the card, uses the device to play “I feel happy.”
    • Peers show thumbs-up if they understood or thumbs-down if they have a question.
  3. Student Turns (6 mins)
    • Going around the circle, each student:
      a. Picks one Voice Prompt Card.
      b. Finds and presses the matching phrase on the device.
      c. Waits for classmates’ thumbs-up/thumbs-down response.
    • If peers show thumbs-down, the speaker can try again or ask for help to clarify.
  4. Group Reflection (2 mins)
    • Ask: “How did it feel to hear your friends’ messages?”
    • Ask: “Why is it important to listen carefully when someone uses a device to talk?”

Voice Prompt Examples:

  • “I feel happy.”
  • “I need help.”
  • “I want to share.”
  • “I feel tired.”
  • “I like playing.”

Extensions:

  • For advanced practice, encourage students to combine two prompts (e.g., “I feel happy and I want to share”).



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Cool Down

One-Word Reflection

Objective: Reinforce empathy and retention by summarizing today’s AAC lesson in a single word.

Time: 5 minutes

Materials:

  • Reflection Cards
  • Sticky Labels
  • Class Reflection Board or Chart Paper

Procedure:

  1. Explain (1 min):
    “Think of one word that describes what you learned or felt about using AAC tools today.”
  2. Write Your Word (2 mins):
    • Hand out Reflection Cards and Sticky Labels.
    • Students write their word on the label and stick it on their card.


  3. Share-Out (2 mins):
    • Invite students, one at a time, to place their card on the reflection board.
    • Ask a few volunteers: “Why did you choose that word?”
  4. Wrap-Up:
    “Great job! These words show what AAC helps us do—communicate, share, and listen with kindness.”
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