Lesson Plan
Speak to Connect Lesson Plan
Students will practice active listening and emotional expression through interactive role-plays and reflection, building confidence and stronger peer connections.
Effective communication and social skills help students form positive relationships, manage emotions, and succeed academically and socially. This Tier 2 small-group lesson provides targeted support for those needing extra practice.
Audience
6th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive role-plays, paired activities, and group reflection.
Materials
Whiteboard and Markers, - Timer, - Active Listening Role-Play Cards, - Feelings Expression Worksheet, and - Peer Feedback Forms
Prep
Lesson Preparation
5 minutes
- Print and cut the Active Listening Role-Play Cards for each pair of students.
- Make copies of the Feelings Expression Worksheet (one per student).
- Prepare enough Peer Feedback Forms for each partner pair.
- Set up the whiteboard with space for key terms and examples.
- Check the timer to ensure it’s ready for timed activities.
Step 1
Warm-Up Discussion
5 minutes
- Introduce the lesson objective and write “Active Listening” and “Expressing Emotions” on the whiteboard.
- Ask students to share examples of times they felt heard or misunderstood.
- Record responses and highlight key communication behaviors.
Step 2
Active Listening Role-Play
10 minutes
- Briefly explain active listening skills: eye contact, nodding, paraphrasing.
- Distribute the Active Listening Role-Play Cards and pair students.
- Students take turns playing Speaker and Listener, following their card prompts (2–3 minutes per turn).
- Partners complete Peer Feedback Forms to note strengths and areas to improve.
Step 3
Expressing Emotions Exercise
10 minutes
- Introduce a range of emotions and model how to express them appropriately.
- Hand out the Feelings Expression Worksheet.
- Students select an emotion, draw or write about a personal experience, and label feelings.
- In pairs, students share their worksheet while the partner practices active listening.
Step 4
Group Reflection
5 minutes
- Reconvene as a whole group and invite volunteers to share what felt easy or challenging.
- Ask how they can apply active listening and emotional expression at school and home.
- Summarize key takeaways and encourage daily practice of these skills.
Slide Deck
Speak to Connect
Effective Communication • Expressing Emotions • Building Connections
Welcome students and introduce the session. Explain that today’s goal is to improve how we listen and share our feelings to build better connections.
Today's Agenda
• 5 min – Warm-Up Discussion
• 10 min – Active Listening Role-Play
• 10 min – Expressing Emotions Exercise
• 5 min – Group Reflection
Walk through today’s agenda so students know what to expect. Emphasize timing for each section.
Key Skill: Active Listening
• Eye Contact
• Nodding
• Paraphrasing (putting it in your own words)
Define and model each skill with examples. Ask students to mirror eye contact and nod once to practice.
Key Skill: Expressing Emotions
• Identify the Feeling
• Use “I feel…” Statements
• Share a Specific Example
Discuss why expressing emotions clearly helps others understand us. Provide sample “I feel…” statements.
Warm-Up Discussion
Think of a time you felt really heard or misunderstood. Share your example with the group.
Prompt students to think of a time they felt heard or ignored. Record a few responses on the board and highlight strong listening behaviors.
Active Listening Role-Play
- Pair up and grab your [Active Listening Role-Play Cards].
- Take turns as Speaker and Listener (2–3 min each).
- Use your [Peer Feedback Forms] to note strengths and improvements.
Distribute the Active Listening Role-Play Cards and Peer Feedback Forms. Pair up students, start the timer for 2–3 minutes per turn.
Expressing Emotions Exercise
- Choose an emotion on your [Feelings Expression Worksheet].
- Draw or write about a time you felt that way.
- Share with your partner while they practice active listening.
Hand out the Feelings Expression Worksheet. Circulate to support students who need help labeling emotions or drawing.
Group Reflection
• What part felt easiest?
• What was most challenging?
• How can you use these skills at school and home?
Facilitate a whole-group discussion. Encourage multiple volunteers. Reinforce connections between listening and emotional sharing.
Keep Practicing!
Use active listening and clear emotional expression every day. Speak to connect and build stronger friendships.
Close by reinforcing that these communication tools take practice. Encourage students to notice opportunities each day to listen and share.
Worksheet
Active Listening Role-Play Cards
Cut apart each card. One student reads the Speaker Scenario and shares for 2–3 minutes. The partner uses the Listener Prompt to practice active listening and then switches roles.
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Card 1
Speaker Scenario:
“Describe a time you felt proud of something you accomplished.”
Listener Prompt:
• Maintain eye contact.
• Paraphrase what you heard (e.g., “So you felt proud because…”).
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Card 2
Speaker Scenario:
“Talk about a challenge you had with a friend at school.”
Listener Prompt:
• Nod when you hear something important.
• Reflect the speaker’s feelings (e.g., “It sounds like that made you feel…”).
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Card 3
Speaker Scenario:
“Explain your favorite hobby and why you enjoy it.”
Listener Prompt:
• Ask a follow-up question (e.g., “What part do you like most?”).
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Card 4
Speaker Scenario:
“Share a family tradition that is special to you.”
Listener Prompt:
• Summarize the main points of the story.
• Say one fact you learned.
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Card 5
Speaker Scenario:
“Describe a moment you felt nervous or anxious.”
Listener Prompt:
• Acknowledge the feeling (e.g., “It sounds like you felt…”).
• Validate their experience (e.g., “I can understand why that would be scary.”).
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Card 6
Speaker Scenario:
“Tell about a time you helped someone.”
Listener Prompt:
• Paraphrase their actions and feelings (e.g., “You helped by…, and it made you feel…”).
• Give positive feedback (e.g., “That was really thoughtful of you.”).
Worksheet
Feelings Expression Worksheet
Name: ______________________ Date: _______________
1. Choose an Emotion
Circle one of the emotions below or write your own:
Happy Sad Angry Scared Excited Nervous Proud Surprised __________
2. Describe the Situation
Think of a time you felt this way. Briefly describe what happened:
3. Draw Your Moment
Use the space below to draw a picture of that experience.
4. Label Your Feelings
Answer the questions:
- How did your body feel? (e.g., fluttering heart, sweaty palms, tears)
- What thoughts were going through your mind?
5. Reflect and Share
What helped you feel better or what would have helped you cope?
When you’re ready, share your drawing and responses with your partner while they practice active listening. Remember to use eye contact, nodding, and paraphrasing to show you understand their experience.
Worksheet
Peer Feedback Form
Listener Name: ______________________ Speaker Name: ______________________ Date: _______________
Active Listening Skills
- Eye Contact
Did the listener maintain eye contact?
[ ] Yes [ ] Sometimes [ ] No
Comments:
- Nodding and Nonverbal Cues
Did the listener use nodding or other nonverbal signals to show they were listening?
[ ] Yes [ ] Sometimes [ ] No
Comments:
- Paraphrasing and Reflecting
Did the listener paraphrase or reflect what the speaker said?
[ ] Yes [ ] Sometimes [ ] No
Comments:
- Follow-Up Questions
Did the listener ask a relevant follow-up question?
[ ] Yes [ ] Sometimes [ ] No
Comments:
Overall Feedback
What did the listener do well?
Suggestions for improvement:
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback!