Voice Power Slides 1st Grade Life Skills
20-Minute Lesson
Voice Power!
How to Speak Up & Ask for What You Need
Your voice is special. When you need help, you can use your words!
Think It • Look Up • Say It Clear
What Is a Need?
A need is something important you must have to be safe, learn, and feel good!
Step 1
Tools to Learn
“My pencil broke!”
“I need glue to finish.”
Body Needs
“I need water.”
“May I use the restroom?”
Learning Help
“I am confused.”
“Can you explain again?”
Teachers cannot read minds! That is why we use our Voice Power!
3 Steps to Use Voice Power
Follow these three steps whenever you need help!
1
Stop & Think
Take a breath.
Ask yourself: “What do I need right now?”
Check in with yourself
2
Look & Pause
Walk up calmly.
Wait for eye contact and say: “Excuse me.”
Polite body language
3
Say It Clear
Use your strong, friendly talking voice: “I need...”
Not whispering, not shouting
Remember: A polite voice makes people happy to help you!
Voice Power Sentence Starters
Say these words out loud together!
For Learning
“Can you please explain this to me?”
Great when directions are tricky.
For Supplies
“I need a pencil, please.”
Great when materials are missing.
For Boundaries
“Please give me some space.”
Great when friends are too close.
For Feelings
“I need a quick quiet break.”
Great when feeling overwhelmed.
🌟 Tip: Always add “Please” and “Thank you” to your Voice Power!
Let’s Try It: Spot the Voice Power!
Scenario: Your glue stick is dried out during art time.
A Whispering or Pouting
Sitting quietly with crossed arms, frowning, waiting for someone to notice.
No Voice Power! Teachers don't know you need glue.
B Using Voice Power!
“Excuse me, teacher. My glue is dry. May I please borrow another one?”
Super Voice Power! Clear, calm, and polite.
Which choice gets you what you need faster? Choice B! 🎯
You Are a Voice Power Superstar!
Now It’s Your Turn to Practice!
On your practice sheet, you will draw one thing you might need help with and finish your Voice Power sentence!
Your Super Sentence:
“I need ________, please!”
1. Think your need ➜ 2. Draw it ➜ 3. Say it with a partner!
Voice Power Activity Voice Power Superstar!
Speaking Up for What I Need
Name:
Date:
1
Pick ONE need that happens to you at school: (Circle it)
Need a Supply (pencil, eraser, glue)
Confused on Work (need it explained)
Body or Feeling (water, quiet break, tissue)
2
Draw a picture of what you need help with:
Artist Box
3
Finish your Voice Power sentence:
“Excuse me. I need
, please!”
Partner Voice Power Test
Turn & Practice!
Practice saying your sentence to a partner. Check off each super skill:
Look at eyes
Clear talking voice
Said “Please”
Voice Power Teacher Guide Voice Power: Teacher Guide
20-Minute Social-Emotional Learning • Grade 1
Target: Self-Advocacy & Communication
Core Objective
Students identify a personal need and verbally state it using polite “I need...” stems.
Materials Needed
Voice Power Slides, 1 Activity Sheet per student, crayons or pencils.
Essential Vocabulary
Need: Something you must have to learn, be safe, and feel okay.
20-Minute Lesson Pacing & Instructional Script
4 Min Warm-Up
Hook & The “Mind Reader” Test (Slides 1–2)
Whole Group
Teacher Prompt: “Can anyone in this room read minds? If my pencil breaks and I sit quietly frowning, can my teacher know what happened? No! Today we unlock our Voice Power.”
Define what a need is: supplies, body feelings, or learning help.
6 Min Teach
3 Steps & Magic Sentences (Slides 3–4)
Choral Chant
Teach the 3 actions with body motions: 1. Stop & Think (point to head), 2. Look & Pause (two fingers to eyes), 3. Say It Clear (hands cupping mouth calmly).
Choral practice: Have all students repeat together: “Excuse me, I need help, please!”
4 Min Model
Spot the Super Voice (Slide 5)
Interactive Game
Act out Option A (slouching, sighing, silent pout) and Option B (calm eye contact, polite sentence). Ask students to give a thumbs up to the Voice Power superhero.
6 Min Practice
Activity Sheet & Partner Check (Slide 6 & Worksheet)
Individual + Pairs
Students draw their need (3 min). Then partners face each other, say their sentence, and check off the 3 boxes: Eye contact, Clear voice, and “Please” (3 min).
Support & Differentiation
Shy or Non-Verbal Students: Allow pointing to the visual choice cards on their sheet or using a pre-printed phrase card.
Early Writers: Provide letter sound scaffolds (e.g. “h-e-l-p” or “b-o-x”) or let the drawing do the communicating.
Ongoing Classroom Reinforcement
When a student whines or gestures silently, gently prompt: “Show me your Voice Power!”
Celebrate students who respectfully speak up with a “Voice Power Shoutout” sticker or praise.
Voice Power Scenario Cards Voice Power Role-Play Cards
1st Grade Partner Practice • Cut Along Dashed Lines
6 Ready-to-Use Cards
Scenario 1
Broken Pencil Point
Your pencil tip snaps in the middle of spelling! You can’t write your words.
Say It with Voice Power:
“Excuse me! May I please sharpen my pencil or borrow a new one?”
Scenario 2
Urgent Restroom Need
During reading group, your tummy says you really need to go to the bathroom right now!
Say It with Voice Power:
“Excuse me, teacher. I have an emergency. May I please go to the restroom?”
Scenario 3
Can’t See the Board
A classmate sits right in front of you during story time and blocks your view.
Say It with Voice Power:
“Excuse me, friend. I can’t see the pictures. Could you please scooch a little?”
Scenario 4
Confused by Directions
The teacher said what to do next, but you didn’t understand the math steps.
Say It with Voice Power:
“I am stuck on number two. Can you please explain it one more time?”
Scenario 5
Need Personal Space
A classmate is bumping your elbow repeatedly while you are drawing.
Say It with Voice Power:
“Please give me some elbow room so we can both do our best work.”
Scenario 6
Tummy Ache or Hurt
Your stomach starts hurting after recess and you feel like resting your head.
Say It with Voice Power:
“My stomach feels sick. May I please visit the nurse or take a quiet rest?”
How to Play: Partner A reads/acts the problem. Partner B uses their Voice Power! Then switch!
👀 Eye Contact 🗣️ Clear Voice ✨ “Please”