Chatting Smarter Lesson Plan Chatting Smarter
Read the Room! • Lesson Plan
25 Minutes
Why This Matters
Developing social awareness and reciprocal conversation skills helps students build stronger relationships, communicate effectively, and navigate social situations with greater confidence in school and daily life.
Audience
11th-12th Grade Students with Borderline Intellectual Disabilities and Low Executive Functioning.
Teacher Prep (15 min)
• Review Slide Deck, Worksheet, Activity Guide, and Prompt Cards.
• Arrange desks/chairs to facilitate small group interaction.
• Print copies of the Social Cues & Conversation Worksheet for each student.
• Print and cut out the Discussion Prompt Cards .
Learning Objective
Students will learn to identify social cues (facial expressions, body language) and practice reciprocal conversation by taking turns and asking follow-up questions to improve social awareness.
Lesson Flow
5 MIN
Warm-Up: What's the Vibe?
Begin by asking students: "Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt like you knew what was going on, even without anyone saying a word? How did you know?" (e.g., people laughing, someone looking upset).
Introduce the concept of social awareness and "reading the room."
7 MIN
Explicit Teaching: Cues & Conversations
Present the Chatting Smarter Slide Deck to introduce social cues (facial expressions, body language, tone of voice) and explain reciprocal conversation (taking turns, asking follow-up questions).
Use visuals and simple examples to illustrate each point.
Teacher Tip: Emphasize that reciprocal conversation is like a game of catch, not a game of dodgeball where only one person talks.
5 MIN
Worksheet Application: Spot the Cues
Distribute the Social Cues & Conversation Worksheet .
Guide students through the worksheet, helping them identify social cues in presented scenarios or images and practice simple reciprocal conversation starters.
8 MIN
Activity & Discussion: Talk It Out!
Divide students into small groups (2-3 students).
Introduce the Reciprocal Conversation Activity using Discussion Prompt Cards to practice turn-taking and follow-up questions.
Circulate among groups, providing support and prompting deeper engagement.
Debrief Questions:
What felt easy? What was challenging?
How can you use these skills in your daily life?
Chatting Smarter Slides Chatting Smarter:
Read the Room!
Understanding Social Cues & Reciprocal Conversations
Today's Goals:
Read thoughts & feelings without words
Have balanced, two-way conversations
Teacher Notes: Welcome students. Briefly introduce the topic and the goal of the session: to become better at understanding others and having balanced conversations.
What is "Social Awareness"?
It's knowing what's happening around you and how people are feeling.
Reading the Room
Understanding unspoken rules and feelings.
Social Cues
Signals people send with bodies, faces, and voices.
Why does it matter?
It helps us know how to act and what to say!
Teacher Notes: Explain that social awareness is like having "social superpowers" that help us understand others without them saying a word. Ask students for examples of how they might "read the room" (e.g., seeing someone crying, someone laughing loudly).
Decoding Social Cues: Look & Listen!
Face
Happy, sad, angry, confused, surprised.
Body
Arms crossed, leaning in, slumped shoulders.
Voice
Loud, soft, fast, or slow tone.
"What do these cues tell you?"
Teacher Notes: Go through each type of cue. Ask students to demonstrate different expressions or body language. Emphasize that these cues help us understand how others feel.
Conversation is like Playing Catch!
You talk, then the other person talks.
You listen, then the other person listens.
Taking Turns is the Goal!
It's NOT just one person talking all the time.
Teacher Notes: Use the "playing catch" analogy. Ask students what happens in a game of catch if one person never throws the ball back. Relate it to conversation.
How to be a Social Star!
1 Listen Actively
Really hear what the other person is saying.
2 Ask Questions
"Tell me more!" or "How did that feel?"
3 Share Thoughts
Connect your ideas to what they just said.
4 Watch for Cues
Are they still interested? Are they bored?
Teacher Notes: Go through each point with examples. Model good follow-up questions. Stress the importance of not dominating the conversation.
Time to Practice!
Grab your worksheets and get ready to be a Social Detective!
Social Cues Conversation Worksheet Social Cues & Conversation
Read the Room & Play Catch!
Name:
Date:
Part 1: What Do You See?
Read each situation. Imagine you are there. Write down what the cues might be telling you.
1 The Lunch Situation
"Your friend is sitting alone at lunch, looking down at their plate. Their shoulders are a little slumped."
What facial expression might they have?
What does their body language (slumped shoulders) tell you?
What do you think your friend might be feeling?
2 The Project Update
"Your teacher is explaining a new project. They are speaking quickly and their voice sounds a little louder than usual. They are also moving their hands a lot."
What does their tone of voice (quick, loud) tell you?
What might their hand movements mean?
How do you think your teacher might be feeling about the project?
Part 2: Keep it Going!
Read what someone says to you. Write a Follow-up Question and a Connected Thought to keep the game of catch going!
"I got a new video game yesterday! It's super fun."
Your Response (Question)
Your Response (Connected Thought)
"I had a really busy weekend. I helped my aunt with her garden."
Your Response (Question)
Your Response (Connected Thought)
"Remember, the school play is next month!"
Your Response (Question)
Your Response (Connected Thought)
Discussion Prompt Cards Discussion Prompt Cards
Print and cut these cards for group discussions.
1
Misunderstandings
Describe a time you might have misunderstood someone because you didn't notice their facial expression or body language. What happened?
2
Active Listening
What is one simple thing you can do to show someone you are actively listening to them, even if you don't say anything right away?
3
Follow-Up Power
Why is it important to ask follow-up questions in a conversation? What does it tell the other person?
4
The "Only Me" Talker
How does it feel when you are trying to talk to someone, but they only talk about themselves and don't ask you any questions?
5
Balanced Chats
Share one strategy you can use to help keep a conversation balanced, where both people get a chance to talk.
6
Checking the Vibe
What would you do if you notice someone seems uncomfortable or bored? What social cues would you look for?
Conversation Activity Guide Let's Talk!
Reciprocal Conversation Activity Guide
Goal
To practice using social cues and having balanced conversations with your peers.
Steps to Success
1
Get into groups: Work with 1-2 partners.
2
Choose a scenario: Pick one from the list below or use a card.
3
Role-Play: One person starts, the others listen and react.
4
Switch roles: Give everyone a turn to lead the talk!
During your chat, try to:
Listen Actively: Pay attention to their words.Look for Cues: Watch their face and body.Ask Questions: Keep the conversation going!Share Thoughts: Add something that connects.
Conversation Scenarios
Scenario 1: Weekend Plans
"I'm really excited for this weekend! I'm going to watch a new movie that just came out."
Scenario 2: Favorite Hobbies
"I love to draw in my free time. It helps me relax."
Scenario 3: School Project
"This history project is really tough. I'm having trouble finding good sources."
Scenario 4: Future Dreams
"I've been thinking about what I want to do after high school. Maybe go to a trade school."
