Chatter Champions Teacher Guide Pragmatics & Social Discourse
Chatter Champions
Teacher Guide & Visual Rubrics • 1st Grade SPED
Focus: Communication
Pragmatics
Center Facilitation Plan (Adult-Led Center)
Step 1
Greeting Warm-Up
Use a puppet or a visual "Chatter Monster" to model greetings. Touch the visual script board.
Script: "Hi [Name]! 👋"
Step 2
Structured Turn-Taking
Place a single highly reinforcing toy (e.g., wind-up toy) in the center. Use "My turn / Your turn" scripts.
Prompt: Use physical Turn Card.
Step 3
Expressing Basic Needs
Simulate high-pacing/slight challenge. Prompt student to select and hand over "Help" or "Break" cards.
Target: Handing card / Saying script.
Visual Prompting Hierarchy
Level 4 (Max)
Direct Model
Teacher points and reads the visual script aloud.
Level 3
Partial Verbal
Teacher says initial sound: "H..." or "M..."
Level 2
Visual Point
Teacher taps the visual cue card silently.
Level 1 (Min)
Independent
Student initiates using cards without cues.
Behavioral Supports & Attention Keepers
High Pacing & Novelty
Keep turns under 20 seconds. Use colorful target objects (wind-up toys, sound buttons, color paddles) to lock attention.
Visual Token Reinforcement
Deliver star tokens immediately when student initiates a script or points to express their emotional state.
CHATTER CHAMPIONS: PRAGMATICS PAGE 1 OF 2
Pragmatics & Social Discourse
Visual Token Board & Rubric
Classroom-Ready Tools • Print, Cut, and Laminate
Cut-Out Visual Token Board
LAMINATE ME!
I Am A Chatter Champion! 🏆
I am working for: ____________________________
Star 1
Star 2
Star 3
Star 4
Star 5
💡 Place visual tokens (velcro stars) immediately upon task attempts or script initiation.
Pragmatics Mastery Rubric (Observational)
Pragmatic Skill 1 - Developing 2 - Prompted 3 - Independent Greeting Peers Does not greet, even with maximum modeling or prompt. Greets peer verbally or with wave after visual point cue. Initiates greeting when peer approaches completely unprompted. Turn-Taking Resists sharing; grabs item; no use of "Your turn" prompt. Shares object after verbal cue; points to turn board. Hands over item and models "Your turn!" with script card. Expressing Needs Cries, whines, or shuts down; does not indicate needs. Points to "Help" or "Break" when prompted by adult hand-under-hand. Independently hands "Break" or "Help" card to teacher when distressed.
Student Name: _________________ Date: ________
Score (Out of 9): _____
CHATTER CHAMPIONS: PRAGMATICS PAGE 2 OF 2
Chatter Champions Circle Slides CIRCLE TIME
Chatter
Champions!
Let's talk, take turns, and play together!
"Hello, Friend! 👋"
Ready to speak? Slide 1 of 5
Step 1: GREETINGS
Watch & Say!
How do we say Hello to a friend?
1
Look at your friend's eyes. 👀
2
Wave your hand gently. 👋
3
Say: "Hi, friend!" 🗣️
Let's Try It Together!
"Hi, [Name]!"
WAVE AT A FRIEND NOW!
Who will you wave to first? Slide 2 of 5
Step 2: TURN-TAKING
My Turn, Your Turn
Option A
"My Turn!"
Touch chest when speaking
Option B
"Your Turn!"
Extend open hand to friend
Why do we take turns?
Taking turns helps everyone feel happy! When we wait:
Our hands are quiet and resting.
Our eyes watch the toy move.
We listen for: "Your turn!"
Can you hand the turn card to a classmate? Slide 3 of 5
Step 3: EXPRESSING NEEDS
Feelings matter!
When something is hard, what can we do?
It is okay to feel tired or upset! We don't scream or hit. We show our helper card or say our words:
Our teachers love to help us stay happy!
Say: "Help, please!"
Use this when a toy or worksheet is too hard.
Say: "Break, please!"
Use this when you feel tired and need quiet time.
Which card will you use today? Slide 4 of 5
WE ARE CHAMPIONS!
Great Job!
Look at our Champion Stars! ⭐
Every time you use your greeting, wait for your turn, or use your help card, you earn a star!
Give a friend a high-five! Slide 5 of 5
Chatter Champions Practice Worksheet Chatter Champions Practice
Pragmatics & Social Discourse Worksheet
Name: ______________________ Date: ________
👉
Activity 1: Draw a line to match!
Waving hand to say hello
Smiley face when happy
Say this
"I feel happy!" 😊
Say this
"Hi, friend!" 👋
✍️
Activity 2: Trace the social helper words!
GREETING
HI
Trace 'HI' to greet your peer.
NEED CARD
HELP
Trace 'HELP' to request assistance.
💡
Teacher/Para note: Reward completion immediately on the student's Star Token Board with 2 Velcro Stars!
CHATTER CHAMPIONS: PRACTICE WORKSHEET PAGE 1 OF 2
Interactive Sort Task
What Can I Do?
Cut & paste tiles at the bottom into the correct action box.
Nice Talking Choices
Unhappy Choices
✂️ CUT ALONG LINE
Cutout Cards
Hand "HELP" card to teacher
Wait and say "YOUR TURN"
Scream when tired or upset
Grab a toy away from peer
CHATTER CHAMPIONS: PRACTICE WORKSHEET PAGE 2 OF 2
Chatter Champions Folder Game Laminated Folder Game Base
My Feelings & Needs Board
Glue this sheet to the inside of a file folder. Laminate before use!
Interactive Center
How to play:
1 Look at face 2 Find matching words 3 Velcro it on!
When I am happy...
I can share my happy voice!
Place Script Here
When I am tired...
I can ask for a quiet break.
Place Script Here
When it is too hard...
I can hand my helper card.
Place Script Here
💡 Use heavy cardstock. Place soft velcro circles in the target boxes and hard velcro circles on the cutout cards!
CHATTER CHAMPIONS: FOLDER GAME PAGE 1 OF 2
Laminated Folder Game Pieces
Printable Matching Pieces
Print on thick cardstock, cut along dotted lines, and laminate.
These pieces match exactly to the target shapes on the baseboard. Encourage students to read the words or tap the matching emoji!
MATCH TO HAPPY
"I feel good!"
MATCH TO TIRED
"Break, please."
MATCH TO HARD TASK
"Help, please."
BONUS TURN CARD
"Your turn!"
CHATTER CHAMPIONS: FOLDER GAME PIECES PAGE 2 OF 2