Voice Power Teacher Guide Teacher Guide: Voice Power
Topic: Advocating for Needs (Part 1)
Target: 4th Grade
Objective
The student will identify barriers to asking for help, construct specific "I need" scripts, and practice self-advocacy in three simulated scenarios (academic and social) to manage frustration and maintain focus.
Materials Needed
Scripting Worksheet
Break Request Cards
Role-Play Scenario Cards
Advocacy Tracker
1. Warm-Up: The Barrier Brainstorm (10 mins)
Script: "Everyone feels frustrated sometimes. The trick is using our 'Voice Power' before the frustration gets too big. But sometimes, something gets in the way of us asking for help."
Key Discussion Prompts:
Does it feel like you "should" know the answer?
Are you worried about what others might think?
Do you feel like you just want to finish quickly?
Does it feel "too hard" to even start the sentence?
2. Script-Building: The Tools (15 mins)
Introduce the two main tools in the Voice Power toolbox: The Help Request and The Break Request .
Help Request Formula:
"I'm stuck on [task]. Can you show me the first step?"
Break Request Formula:
"I'm starting to feel frustrated. Can I have a 2-minute break?"
Use the Scripting Worksheet to have the student write their own variations. Ensure they understand that a break is a tool for returning to work, not an escape from it.
3. Practice: Real-Life Missions (20 mins)
Use the Scenario Cards to role-play. Switch roles: teacher plays student first to model "Think Alouds," then student practices.
Scenario A
The Writing Block
"You are in your seat. The prompt is on the board. You have no idea what to write. Your face starts to feel hot."
Scenario B
The Lunch Transition
"Lunch is loud. The bell rings. You aren't finished eating and you don't want to go to the classroom yet."
Scenario C
Group Work Clash
"Your partner wants to use the blue marker, but you need it for the title. You feel like yelling."
4. Launch & Tracking (5 mins)
Give the student the Break Request Cards to keep at their desk or in their pocket.
Explain the Advocacy Tracker . "Every time you use your Voice Power independently (without me asking first), we'll mark it here."
Set a small goal (e.g., 3 independent attempts per day for a 'Success Badge').
Pro-Tips for ODD/ADHD Progress
Validate the Feeling
Always acknowledge the frustration first: "I see that writing prompt is tough. It's okay to feel annoyed." Then pivot to advocacy.
The 'Fast Pass'
Ensure the Break Request is honored immediately during the learning phase to build trust in the system.
Voice Power Slides Level Up
VOICE POWER
Asking for what you need to succeed.
Self-Advocacy • Communication Skills • Focus
The Barrier Brainstorm
Sometimes, we feel stuck or frustrated. What makes it hard to ask for help?
"I should know this..."
"I'll look silly if I ask."
"I'm too angry to talk."
Voice Power unlocks the frustration!
Tool #1: The Help Request
Academic Focus
Use this when you are stuck on a task or don't understand the directions.
The Script:
"I'm stuck on ________. Can you show me the first step?"
Specific Task
Action Request
Tool #2: The Break Request
Social & Emotional Focus
Use this when your "engine" is running too hot or too fast.
The Script:
"I'm feeling ________. Can I have a 2-minute break?"
"A break is a tool to help me finish, not to get out of work."
Voice Power Missions
Mission 1
Writing Block
You don't know what to write for the prompt. Your stomach feels tight.
Choose a Tool
Mission 2
Lunch Rush
The bell rings but you're not done eating. It's too loud.
Choose a Tool
Mission 3
Group Clashes
Your partner takes the marker you wanted. You want to yell.
Choose a Tool
BE THE HERO
Every time you use your Voice Power without a reminder , you earn a point toward your goal.
TRACK YOUR WINS!
Voice Power Scripting Worksheet My Voice Power Handbook
Session 1: Building My Scripts
Hero Name
Date
Level 1: The Barrier Brainstorm
What makes it hard for you to ask for help or a break? Circle the ones you feel, or write your own.
"I'm worried what kids think."
"I feel like I should know it."
"I'm too angry to talk."
"I just want to be done."
My Other Barrier:
Level 2: The Help Request Tool
Scenario: You are staring at a writing prompt and your brain feels blank.
I'm stuck on...
Can you...
Level 3: The Break Request Tool
Scenario: A classmate is bothering you and you feel like yelling.
I'm feeling...
Can I have a...
Hero Mission:
I will use my Voice Power at least ____ times today.
HERO
Voice Power Tool Cards Voice Power: Tool Cards
Print, cut, and keep these tools in your pocket or on your desk.
Help Request
"I'm stuck on this. Can you show me the first step?"
Break Request
"I'm feeling frustrated. Can I have a 2-minute break?"
Check-In
"I'm not sure what to do next. Can you help me?"
Reset Time
"My engine is too fast. I need a reset break."
Social Fix
"I'm having a hard time with a classmate. Can we talk?"
Voice Pro
"I'm using my Voice Power to stay focused!"
Voice Power Tracker Voice Power Tracker
Leveling up independent self-advocacy
Weekly Goal
____ Attempts
How to Track:
Color in one star every time the student uses a Help Request or Break Request script without being reminded. Each row represents one day of the week.
Monday
Total
Tuesday
Total
Wednesday
Total
Thursday
Total
Friday
Total
Teacher / Student Reflection Notes
Biggest Win of the Week
Hardest Scenario to Use Voice Power
Mission Accomplished!
Reach the goal to earn your Success Badge.
REWARD: ____________
Voice Power Hero Badges Voice Power: Hero Badges
Print, cut, and award these for reaching advocacy goals!
Level 1
Voice Pro
"I spoke up for my needs!"
Reset King
Break Master
"I knew when I needed a reset."
Advocacy Star
Help Hero
"I asked for help to succeed."
Goal Crusher
Focus Fighter
"I used my voice to stay on track."
No Reminders
Solo Flyer
"I advocated all by myself!"
Cool Head
Social Ace
"I used my voice with others."
Cut along the color edge
Voice Power Instructional Script Instructional Script: Voice Power
Step-by-step facilitation for Advocacy Session 1
Part 1: The Warm-Up & Barrier Discovery
Teacher Says:
"Hey! Today we’re going to talk about a superpower called Voice Power . It’s the ability to tell people exactly what you need to be successful.
We all get frustrated sometimes—like when a writing prompt feels impossible or lunch is way too loud. But sometimes, even when we’re frustrated, it feels hard to ask for help. It’s like there’s a wall or a 'barrier' in our way.
For me, sometimes I don’t ask for help because I feel like I 'should' know the answer already. What about you? Does it ever feel like you just want to get the work over with, so you don’t want to stop and ask? Or do you ever worry about what other kids might think?"
Teaching Note:
Wait for the student to identify a barrier. If they say "I don't know," offer choices: "Is it a 'should' barrier, a 'worry' barrier, or a 'just finish it' barrier?"
Part 2: Introducing the Tools
Teacher Says:
"To use your Voice Power, you need two main tools.
The first is the Help Request . It sounds like this: 'I'm stuck on this problem. Can you show me the first step?' Notice I didn't say 'I can't do this.' I asked for a step .
The second is the Break Request . This is for when your engine is running too hot. It sounds like: 'I'm starting to feel frustrated. Can I have a 2-minute reset break?'
A break isn't giving up. It's actually a smart way to stay in the game. It’s like a pit stop in a race—you refuel so you can keep going."
Part 3: The Modeling (Think-Aloud)
Teacher Says (Modeling):
"I’m going to show you how I use Voice Power. Let’s pretend I’m working on a writing project and I can't think of anything to say.
(Act frustrated, sigh loudly, put head in hands).
Okay, I’m feeling a 'barrier.' I’m thinking, 'This is dumb, I’m just not going to do it.' Wait—that’s my frustration talking. Let me use my Voice Power instead.
(Look at teacher/partner): 'I'm stuck on this opening sentence. Can you help me brainstorm two ideas?'
Boom! Now I'm not stuck anymore, and I didn't have to get angry."
Part 4: Role-Play Missions
Mission 1: The Group Clash
"Mission: You’re in group work. Your partner just took the only blue marker. Your face is starting to feel hot. You want to grab it back.
Stop. Use your Voice Power. What script could you use? Is it a Help Request or a Break Request?"
Mission 2: The Lunch Rush
