Lesson Plan
Welcome Back Social Skills
Students will practice greeting peers, asking and answering questions, and identifying emotions to build confidence and foster connections within the classroom community.
This lesson promotes positive social interactions, supports communication skills, and helps all students—including those with autism, communication disorders, or health impairments—feel welcome and connected from day one.
Audience
Elementary School Students
Time
25 minutes
Approach
Interactive games and discussions to build social skills.
Materials
- Slide Deck: Welcome Social Skills, - Icebreaker Question Cards, - Classmate Bingo Sheets, - Feeling Faces Flashcards, - Welcome Back Certificates, - Name Tags, - Markers, and - Timer
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Slide Deck: Welcome Social Skills
- Print and cut Icebreaker Question Cards
- Print enough Classmate Bingo Sheets for each student
- Print and punch out Feeling Faces Flashcards
- Print or prepare Welcome Back Certificates
- Gather Name Tags
- Arrange markers and a timer
- Set up seating in pairs for the main activity
Step 1
Warm-Up: Greeting Round
5 minutes
- Display Slide 1 of Slide Deck: Welcome Social Skills showing greeting examples
- Model a friendly greeting (“Hi, I’m ______. What’s your name?”)
- Students stand, find a partner, and practice greeting
- Rotate after 30 seconds so each student greets three classmates
Step 2
Main Activity: Icebreaker Questions
10 minutes
- Divide students into pairs
- Distribute two to three Icebreaker Question Cards per pair
- Students take turns asking and answering the questions
- Encourage eye contact, turn-taking, and active listening
- After five minutes, swap pairs or question cards so students meet new partners
Step 3
Game: Classmate Bingo
7 minutes
- Give each student a Classmate Bingo Sheet and a marker
- Explain each bingo square description (e.g., “Has a pet cat,” “Likes pizza”)
- Students mingle and ask classmates questions to mark a bingo square
- First student to complete a row shouts “Bingo!” and receives a Welcome Back Certificate
Step 4
Cool-Down: Feelings Reflection
3 minutes
- Show Feeling Faces Flashcards on the board
- Ask students to point to the face that shows how they feel after today’s activities
- Encourage one to two volunteers to share why
- Praise efforts and distribute remaining Welcome Back Certificates to everyone
Activity
Icebreaker Question Cards
These question cards are designed to help students start conversations and practice social skills. Print, cut, and distribute 2–3 cards per student pair.
Question List
- What’s your name and one fun fact about you?
- What did you do over the summer?
- What’s your favorite book or movie and why?
- If you could have any pet, what would it be?
- What’s your favorite school subject?
- What’s your favorite food or snack?
- Do you have a hobby or activity you enjoy?
- If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
- What’s your favorite game to play?
- Do you play an instrument or want to learn one?
- What’s your favorite thing about school?
- What makes you laugh or smile?
Use these prompts to encourage eye contact, turn-taking, and active listening. After discussing your cards with one partner, swap cards or partners to meet someone new!
Game
Classmate Bingo Sheets
These bingo sheets help students mingle, ask questions, and learn more about their classmates. Print one sheet per student and a marker or pen.
Instructions
- Give each student a bingo sheet and a marker or pen.
- Students move around the room and ask classmates questions to find someone who matches a square description.
- When a match is found, the classmate writes their name in the square.
- The first student to complete a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line shouts “Bingo!” and wins.
- Continue playing until several students have bingo or time runs out.
| B | I | N | G | O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Has a pet cat | Speaks two languages | Favorite color is blue | Has visited another state | Likes chocolate ice cream |
| Plays a sport | Has a sibling | Wears glasses | Has read a book over the summer | Favorite subject is math |
| Loves to draw | Free Space! | Plays an instrument | Favorite game is a board game | Likes pizza |
| Has a birthday this month | Raised hand first today | Has been to a zoo | Favorite snack is fruit | Can whistle |
| Has a pet dog | Someone in family plays music | Likes to read | Wears a hat often | Enjoys hiking |
Game
Feeling Faces Flashcards
These flashcards display simple facial expressions to help students identify and share their emotions. Print, cut out, and laminate if desired. Use during the cool-down to check in on students’ feelings.
Emotions Included
| 😃 Happy | 😢 Sad | 😠 Angry | 😮 Surprised | 😌 Calm | 😟 Nervous |
|---|
Instructions for Use
- Hold up one flashcard at a time for the whole class to see.
- Ask students to point to (or name) the card that shows how they feel right now.
- Optionally, invite 1–2 volunteers to explain why they chose that emotion.
- Praise all contributions and validate students’ feelings.
- Collect the cards when finished, or leave them available for ongoing check-ins throughout the day.
Use these flashcards to encourage emotional awareness and supportive classroom discussions.
Game
Welcome Back Certificates
Use these certificates to celebrate students’ participation and social engagement during the welcome-back activities. Print one for each student or award them as prizes.
Congratulations!
This certificate is proudly presented to:
Student Name: _______________________________
for showing great confidence, kindness, and communication skills as we welcomed everyone back to school!
Date: _______________ Teacher Signature: _____________________
Keep shining and building positive connections!