Chat Champions Lesson Plan Chat Champions
Tier 2 SEL Lesson Plan
4th Grade
Session Length: 30 Minutes
Objective
Students will learn and practice effective conversation skills—active listening, asking follow-up questions, and showing empathy—by engaging in guided role-play and peer feedback activities.
Why It Matters
Strong conversational skills help students build empathy, resolve conflicts, and form positive peer relationships, supporting a respectful classroom community.
Approach
Modeling, Discussion, Role-Play
Total Time
30 Minutes
Materials Needed
Role-Play Cards
Worksheet
Feedback Checklist
Reflection Journal
Preparation
Print and cut out all Role-Play Scenario Cards .
Make copies of the Conversation Starters Worksheet and Reflection Journal Template for each student.
Prepare a stack of Peer Feedback Checklists .
Arrange chairs in pairs or small circles for role-play sessions.
Instructional Steps
05
Mins
Introduction
Gather students in a circle and introduce the key skills: active listening , asking follow-up questions , and showing empathy .
Ask volunteers to share times they had a good conversation with a friend and what made it work.
Highlight how these skills help peers feel heard and respected.
05
Mins
Modeling Skills
Select two volunteers and read one Role-Play Scenario Card.
Teacher models a conversation using the skills: "I hear you..." and "That sounds interesting—can you tell me more?"
Debrief: Ask students to identify which skills they observed.
08
Mins
Guided Practice
Divide students into pairs and hand out a different Role-Play Scenario Card to each pair.
Distribute Conversation Starters Worksheets.
Students practice their conversation, taking turns, using the worksheet prompts.
Circulate and coach pairs, reinforcing skill use.
07
Mins
Peer Feedback
Give each student a Peer Feedback Checklist.
Pairs swap roles, practice a second scenario, and then complete the checklist.
Encourage specific, positive comments and one suggestion for improvement.
05
Mins
Reflection & Share
Invite students to return to the circle and share one insight in their Reflection Journal.
Prompt: "What skill did you use best today? What will you practice next time?"
Collect journals to review and inform future instruction.
Chat Champions Slides Chat Champions
Mastering the Art of Conversation
4th Grade SEL
30 Minutes
Welcome students to today’s Chat Champions session. Briefly explain that they will learn and practice three key conversation skills and use role-play, feedback, and reflection to become stronger communicators.
01 Today's Mission
Introduction to Key Skills
Modeling a Conversation
Guided Practice
Peer Feedback
Reflection & Share
Key Conversation Skills
Active Listening
Pay full attention and show that you care.
Follow-Up Questions
Encourage more detail with "Can you tell me more?"
Showing Empathy
Acknowledge feelings with "I understand how you feel."
Watch & Learn
Let's see these skills in action! Pay close attention to how we use our voices and bodies.
What to look for:
Eye contact
Nodding and smiling
Asking great questions
1
Teacher reads a scenario card.
2
"I hear you... tell me more!"
3
Class identifies the skills used.
Your Turn!
Step 1
Form pairs and choose a scenario card.
Step 2
Use the Starters Worksheet to guide your talk.
Step 3
Take turns speaking and listening.
Champion Feedback
Swap Roles
Pick a brand new scenario card and try again.
Checklist Time
Did they listen? Ask a follow-up? Show empathy?
The Feedback Rule
Give one positive comment
Journal & Share
One skill you used best today.
One skill you'll practice next time.
Great Job!
You are officially Chat Champions!
Listen
Ask
Care
Keep practicing these every single day.
Role Play Scenario Cards Role-Play Scenario Cards
Chat Champions Activity
Scenario 1
Bad Grade Blues
Your partner is upset because they got a lower grade than they expected on a math quiz.
Goal: Start a conversation to help them feel supported and encouraged.
Scenario 2
Forgotten Lunch
Your friend realizes they left their lunch at home and feels hungry and embarrassed.
Goal: Talk with them and help them figure out a solution.
Scenario 3
New Kid Jitters
A new student just joined your class and looks nervous.
Goal: Introduce yourself and help them feel welcome.
Scenario 4
Weekend Adventure
Your partner spent the weekend at a lake and is excited to share what happened.
Goal: Ask questions to learn more about their trip.
Scenario 5
Lost Pet Worry
Your friend’s cat ran away last night, and they’re worried.
Goal: Talk with them, show empathy, and ask how you can help.
Scenario 6
Team Game Disagreement
Two classmates disagreed during recess over who gets to be on the same team.
Goal: Practice helping them talk it out calmly.
Scenario 7
Dance Recital Nerves
Your friend is nervous about performing in the school dance recital next week.
Goal: Ask about their feelings and help them feel confident.
Scenario 8
Science Project Excitement
Your partner just finished a cool volcano project and wants to tell you all about it.
Goal: Show interest and ask follow-up questions.
Conversation Starters Worksheet Conversation Starters
Chat Champions Worksheet
Name
Date
Use these prompts to practice active listening, asking follow-up questions, and showing empathy. Fill in the bubbles to build your conversation toolbox!
1
Active Listening
Show you're paying attention by completing these listening phrases.
“I hear you ________ because ________.”
“It sounds like ________.”
2
Follow-Up Questions
Write two questions that help you learn more about what someone is saying.
“Can you tell me more about ________?”
“What happened when ________?”
3
Showing Empathy
Use these starters to show you care about your partner's feelings.
“I understand how you feel about ________.”
“That must have been ________.”
4
Practice Dialogue
Choose a Scenario Card and write a short conversation using your starters.
SCENARIO:
YOU:
PARTNER:
YOU:
PARTNER:
Great work, Chat Champion! 🏆
Practice these with different partners to build your skills.
Peer Feedback Checklist Peer Feedback
Chat Champions Checklist
Partner Name
Use this checklist to give your partner helpful, kind feedback after your second role-play. Remember to look for their skills and share what you noticed!
1. Active Listening
Yes
No
Did your partner give you full attention and use phrases like "I hear you..."?
Comments
2. Follow-Up Questions
Yes
No
Did your partner ask a question to learn more, like "Can you tell me more about...?"
Comments
3. Showing Empathy
Yes
No
Did your partner acknowledge your feelings, like "I understand how you feel..."?
Comments
One Positive Comment
What did your partner do really well?
One Tip to Improve
What is one kind tip to help them get better?
Great Job Giving Feedback!
Reflection Journal Template Reflection Journal
Chat Champions Daily Entry
Today's Date
Journalist
01
Skill I Used Best Today
Which conversation skill (active listening, follow-up questions, or showing empathy) did I use most effectively?
02
Why This Skill Mattered
How did using this skill help my partner or the conversation?
03
Skill to Practice More
Which skill do I want to get even better at next time?
04
My Action Plan
What specific steps will I take before our next session to practice this skill?
05
Lessons in Friendship
Reflect on how conversations help you build strong, caring relationships.
06
Next Time's Goal
Write one clear goal you want to achieve in our next Chat Champions activity.
Thinking deeply today leads to speaking kindly tomorrow.
