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Community Conversations: Strengthening Classroom Bonds

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Lesson Plan

Simplified Community Conversations Lesson Plan

Help students feel included and understood through simple, clear discussion activities.

This lesson supports understanding and connection with simple language and more visuals, making the discussion accessible.

Audience

Students 18-22 with intellectual disabilities

Time

45-60 minutes

Approach

Simple, guided conversation with visual aids.

Materials

Simplified Community Conversations Lesson Plan, Simplified Discussion Guide for Community Conversations, and Simplified Slide Deck for Community Conversations

Prep

Setup & Material Review

10 minutes

  • Review the simplified lesson plan to know your steps.
  • Look over the discussion guide for simple questions.
  • Make sure the simplified slide deck is ready to show clear visuals.
  • Arrange seating so all students face one another.

Step 1

Welcome & Explain

10 minutes

  • Greet students warmly.
  • Explain that the goal is to share simple stories and listen to each other.
  • Set simple ground rules: speak one at a time, listen carefully, and be kind.

Step 2

Guided Talking Activity

25 minutes

  • Show visuals from the simplified slide deck.
  • Ask easy, guided questions from the simplified discussion guide.
  • Encourage each student to share a short personal story or a simple thought.
  • Keep the discussion slow, clear, and supportive.

Step 3

Simple Reflection

10 minutes

  • Summarize what everyone shared in very simple terms.
  • Ask a basic question like 'How do you feel now?'
  • Offer praise for sharing and listening.
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Discussion

Simplified Discussion Guide for Community Conversations

This guide is created to help you lead a friendly and easy conversation with your students. The questions are very simple, so everyone can share their thoughts and listen to each other. The goal is to help everyone feel part of the group.

Simple Session Structure

1. Getting Started (10 minutes)

  • Goal: Make sure everyone feels safe to share.
  • Steps:
    • Say hello to everyone.
    • Explain that we will share simple stories and listen to our friends.
    • Set a rule: one person talks at a time and always listen when someone is talking.




2. Guided Sharing (25 minutes)

  • Goal: Encourage each student to share a little story or thought.
  • Steps:
    • Show pictures on the slide deck to help explain the question.
    • Ask one simple question at a time using the pictures as clues:
      • "Tell us one time you felt happy with friends."
      • "What makes you feel like part of a group?"
      • "Share one time someone helped you."
    • Let each student talk for a short time. Keep it kind and slow.




3. Easy Reflection (10 minutes)

  • Goal: Help students think about and share how they feel after talking.
  • Steps:
    • Summarize what was shared in one or two sentences.
    • Ask a simple question: "How do you feel now?"
    • Thank everyone for sharing and listening.




Extra Tips for Teachers

  • Keep it simple: Use clear, short sentences.
  • Repeat as needed: Remind students about the sharing rules if they forget.
  • Encourage gently: If a student is quiet, kindly ask if they want to share a small thought.
  • Use visuals: Follow along with the slide deck to help explain each question.







This simplified guide is based on the Simplified Community Conversations Lesson Plan and is made to help every student feel included. Enjoy building community one simple story at a time!

lenny
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Slide Deck

Community Conversations

Let’s share simple stories and listen to each other

Title slide to introduce the session. Greet students warmly and explain the simple goal of sharing stories.

Today's Session

  • Welcome & Rules (10 min)
  • Sharing Stories (25 min)
  • How We Feel (10 min)

Outline the session in very simple steps so everyone knows what to expect.

Simple Rules

  • Wait your turn
  • Listen to friends
  • Be kind

Explain the ground rules using simple language: wait your turn, listen, and be kind.

Let’s Share!

  1. When did you feel happy with friends?
  2. What makes you feel part of a group?
  3. Share a time someone helped you.

Show simple pictures with clear questions. Use pictures to help explain each question.

How Do You Feel?

Can you tell me how you feel now?

Help students reflect with one or two simple questions. Summarize the talk using short sentences.

Thank You!

Good job sharing. Let’s keep talking and listening!

Final slide to thank students and encourage them to keep sharing in the future.

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