🌞 Summer Break Chat

Grade Level: High School Access Points (Tier 1 Morning Meeting)
Duration: 10 minutes

🎯 Purpose

• Build community and connection by sharing summer break plans
• Practice expressive communication (verbal and nonverbal)
• Provide a safe, predictable routine with visual and physical supports

📋 Materials

• Morning Meeting Visual Schedule
• Summer Break Discussion Cards
• Summer Break Communication Board
• Participation Tokens
• Gloves for hand-over-hand assistance

🔧 Setup & Supports

1. Display the Morning Meeting Visual Schedule where all students see it.
2. Place each student’s Communication Board in front of them.
3. Scatter Discussion Cards face down in the center of the circle.
4. Have gloves and tokens within reach.
5. Review nonverbal supports: pointing, eye gaze, partner-assisted scanning.

🗣️ Discussion Guidelines

1. One speaker at a time—use a gentle tap on shoulder to signal it’s your turn.
2. Listen with respect—face the speaker and use thumbs up/thumbs down on your board.
3. Use supports—point to pictures, use hand-over-hand assistance, or speak your words.
4. Earn a Participation Token for each contribution!

💬 Discussion Prompts

1. What is one thing you’re most excited to do this summer?

Teacher support: Model pointing to “beach,” “camp,” or “home” icons on the Communication Board. Offer hand-over-hand to help point.

2. Where would you like to go?

Teacher support: Show location cards on the Discussion Cards—park, pool, grandma’s house.

3. Who will you spend time with?

Teacher support: Provide pictures or names on the board (family, friends, teachers).

4. What’s something new you want to try?

Teacher support: Offer examples: ride a bike, swim, make art. Use visuals from the board.

🔄 Follow-Up Questions & Extensions

• Why did you choose that activity or place?
• How do you think you’ll feel when you’re there?
• What will you need (items, help, permission)?
• Who will you ask to join you?

Note: Provide yes/no and “because” visuals so nonverbal learners can communicate deeper answers.

🎉 Closing & Reflection (2 minutes)

1. Highlight 2–3 favorite shares: “I heard that Alex is excited to go to the pool!”
2. Invite students to give a thumbs up (👍) on their Communication Board if they enjoyed the chat.
3. Collect tokens and cards; praise everyone for sharing.

All done! Have a sunny day!

☀️ Summer Break Share Activity

Purpose:

• Reinforce expressive communication by using Summer Break Discussion Cards and Summer Break Communication Board in peer-to-peer sharing.
• Build social skills, turn-taking, and confidence in a supportive routine.

📋 Materials

• Summer Break Discussion Cards
• Summer Break Communication Board
• Participation Tokens
• Gloves for hand-over-hand assistance

🔧 Setup & Supports

1. Arrange students in pairs, with each pair seated close enough to share materials.
2. Place one face-down Discussion Card at each pair’s spot.
3. Ensure each student has access to their own Communication Board and a pile of tokens.
4. Have gloves available for any student needing hand-over-hand assistance.
5. Review partner-assisted scanning and nonverbal supports before you begin.

📝 Activity Steps (10 minutes total)

1. Pair Up (1 minute)
   • Direct students to find a partner and sit facing each other.
   • Confirm each pair has a communication board and a discussion card.
2. Round 1 Sharing (3 minutes)
   • Student A flips over the card and reads or models the prompt (e.g., “What is one thing you’re excited to do this summer?”).
   • Student A uses the Communication Board to respond. Provide hand-over-hand as needed.
   • Student B listens, provides thumbs-up/thumbs-down feedback, and awards a Participation Token.
   • Switch roles and repeat with the same card.
3. Rotate Cards (1 minute)
   • Each pair passes their card to the next pair (or exchanges cards if there are only two pairs).
   • Students take a moment to review the new prompt.
4. Round 2 Sharing (3 minutes)
   • Repeat Round 1 steps with the new card and prompts.
5. Group Reflection (2 minutes)
   • Gather students back into the circle.
   • Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one favorite response they heard or gave.
   • Use the Communication Board to vote: thumbs up if they enjoyed the activity.
   • Collect cards and tokens; praise all pairs for their participation.

🔄 Follow-Up Questions & Extensions

• Why did you choose that summer activity or place?
• Who will help you make your plan happen?
• What will you need to bring or prepare?
• Would you do this same activity next year? Why or why not?

Use “yes/no” and “because” visuals on the Communication Board for nonverbal learners to deepen responses.