Lesson Plan
Session 1 Plan
Introduce high school students to requesting everyday school needs—like water, restroom, or materials—using visual choice cards and a communication board through modeling and guided practice.
Supporting teens in asking for essential needs fosters self-advocacy, reduces classroom disruptions, and builds independence in the school environment.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up & Goal Introduction
3 minutes
Step 2
Explore Visual Choices
5 minutes
Step 3
Modeling Requests
5 minutes
Step 4
Guided Practice
5 minutes
Step 5
Reinforcement & Closing
2 minutes
Slide Deck
My Voice Matters: Session 1
Objective
Materials
1. Warm-Up & Goal Introduction
2. Explore Visual Choices
3. Modeling Requests
4. Guided Practice
5. Reinforcement & Closing
Worksheet
Answer Key
Lesson Plan
Session 2 Plan
Teach high school students to request “more time” on tests/projects and ask for academic help (e.g., with homework or assignments) using action visuals on the communication board.
Empowering teens to self-advocate for extra time and support reduces test anxiety, builds confidence, and fosters independence in the classroom.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up & Review
3 minutes
Step 2
Introduce “More Time” Requests
5 minutes
Step 3
Guided “More Time” Practice
4 minutes
Step 4
Introduce “Help” Requests
4 minutes
Step 5
Guided “Help” & Closing
4 minutes
Slide Deck
My Voice Matters: Session 2
Objective
Materials
1. Warm-Up & Review
2. Introduce “More” Requests
3. Guided “More” Practice
4. Introduce “Help” Requests
5. Guided “Help” & Closing
Lesson Plan
Session 3 Plan
Enable high school students to combine two school-related requests—like “I need calculator and notebook”—using visuals and guided practice.
Expressing multiple needs in one phrase boosts efficiency, fosters self-advocacy in complex school tasks, and advances communication skills.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up & Review
3 minutes
Step 2
Introduce Dual Requests
5 minutes
Step 3
Modeling Combined Requests
5 minutes
Step 4
Guided Practice
5 minutes
Step 5
Reinforcement & Closing
2 minutes
Slide Deck
My Voice Matters: Session 3
Objective
Materials
1. Warm-Up & Review
2. Introduce Dual Requests
3. Modeling Combined Requests
4. Guided Practice
5. Reinforcement & Closing
Lesson Plan
Session 4 Plan
Teach high school students to use color and size to request school items—forming phrases like “I need the red binder” with visual supports.
Specific descriptions reduce misunderstandings, help teens get exactly what they need, and build richer self-advocacy in the classroom.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up & Review
3 minutes
Step 2
Introduce Descriptive Attributes
5 minutes
Step 3
Modeling Descriptive Requests
5 minutes
Step 4
Guided Practice
5 minutes
Step 5
Reinforcement & Closing
2 minutes
Slide Deck
My Voice Matters: Session 4
Objective
Materials
1. Warm‐Up & Review
2. Introduce Descriptive Attributes
3. Modeling Descriptive Requests
4. Guided Practice
5. Reinforcement & Closing
Lesson Plan
Session 5 Plan
Guide high school students to integrate items (like textbooks or pens), actions (“help,” “more time”), attributes (color, size), and connectors into complete functional requests in realistic school scenarios.
Reinforcing all communication skills within teen-relevant contexts fosters independence, confidence, and real-life functional language in school.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
1. Warm-Up & Review
3 minutes
Step 2
2. Introduce Integrated Requests
5 minutes
Step 3
3. Modeling Across Scenarios
5 minutes
Step 4
4. Guided Practice
5 minutes
Step 5
5. Reinforcement & Closing
2 minutes
Slide Deck
My Voice Matters: Session 5
Objective
Materials
1. Warm-Up & Review
2. Introduce Integrated Requests
3. Modeling Across Scenarios
4. Guided Practice
5. Reinforcement & Closing
Lesson Plan
Session 6 Plan
Enable high school students to communicate effectively in peer and intimate relationships—expressing feelings, inviting friends, resolving conflicts, and making polite adult requests using visual supports and problem-solving strategies.
Healthy social and intimate communication skills help teens build strong friendships, manage conflicts respectfully, and seek support from trusted adults, fostering resilience and independence.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Warm‐Up & Review
3 minutes
Step 2
Friendship Communication
5 minutes
Step 3
Intimate Relationship Skills
5 minutes
Step 4
Problem‐Solving Strategies
5 minutes
Step 5
Polite Adult Requests & Closing
2 minutes
Slide Deck
My Voice Matters: Session 6
Objective
Materials
1. Warm-Up & Review
2. Friendship Communication
3. Intimate Relationship Skills
4. Problem-Solving Strategies
5. Polite Adult Requests & Closing
Worksheet
Activity
Worksheet
Worksheet