Your Brave Voice Lesson Plan Your Brave Voice
Tier 3 Individual Support Lesson Plan
20 Minutes
Session Objective
Establish a safe and supportive environment, build rapport with the student, and introduce basic tools for managing selective mutism and social anxiety in a non-verbal or low-pressure way.
Approach
Gentle, individualized introduction. Prioritize comfort and safety over verbal output. Use visual supports and choice-based communication.
Why This Session?
"This lesson is vital for empowering students to find their voice, even when it feels difficult. By providing practical strategies and a secure space, it helps students navigate social situations and express themselves, reducing anxiety and fostering a sense of control."
Prep Checklist
Review all session materials (Slide Deck, Warm-Up, Activities, Worksheets).
Prepare a comfortable, private space with minimal distractions.
Gather markers, crayons, and a whiteboard or large paper.
Print physical copies of the Safe Space activity and Communication Choice worksheets.
Session Flow
3 min
Warm-Up: Feelings Check-In
Goal: Validate current emotions and establish safe communication.
Gently invite the student to point to or draw a feeling that best describes how they are feeling today using Slide 1 . Emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers and that it's okay to feel any way they do.
4 min
Introduction: Welcome & Safe Space
Goal: Define the session environment as a safety zone.
Welcome the student warmly. Explain that this is a safe space for them to learn and explore ways to feel more comfortable expressing themselves. Use Slide 2 to guide the discussion of what "safe" feels like (calm, understood, brave).
6 min
Activity: My Safe Space
Goal: Visualization and personalization of safety.
Engage the student in the My Safe Space Activity . Encourage them to draw or describe (if comfortable) what their safe space looks like. Reassure them this is their personal space. Use Slide 3 for visual prompts.
4 min
Communication Choices
Goal: Introduce non-verbal alternatives to speaking.
Show options like pointing, drawing, writing, or using a thumbs-up/down using Slide 4 . Explain that sometimes words are hard, and that's okay. Distribute the My Communication Choices Worksheet .
3 min
Cool-Down: One Word Wonder
Goal: Reflection and closing rapport.
Use Slide 5 . Ask for one word (pointed to, drawn, or written) describing their feeling now. Thank them for participating. Introduce the Classroom Brave Steps Worksheet as a resource to take home.
Your Brave Voice Slides How Are You Feeling Today?
It's okay to feel any way you do! Point to a face or draw how you feel.
😊 Happy
😌 Calm
😟 Worried
🤩 Excited
😞 Sad
😜 Silly
Our Safe Space
This is a special place for you to be yourself and learn!
A place where you feel Calm
A place where you feel Comfortable
A place where you feel Understood
A place where you can be Brave
Draw Your Safe Space
What does your safe space look like? Where do you feel happiest and most relaxed?
Draw your picture on the worksheet!
Many Ways To Share!
It's okay if it's hard to use your words. We have many ways to communicate!
Point to pictures
Draw a picture
Write it down
Thumbs Up or Down
Session Wrap-Up
One Word Wonder
What one word describes how you feel now, or something you learned today?
❓
🎨
📝
Feelings Check-In Warm-Up Name:
Date:
Feelings Check-In
Welcome! Let's start by checking in with how you're feeling today. It's okay to feel any way you do, and there are no right or wrong answers.
1 Point to the face that shows how you feel:
😊 Happy
😞 Sad
😌 Calm
😟 Worried
🤩 Excited
😜 Silly
2 My Feeling Today:
Draw your own feeling face or a picture that shows how you feel below.
My Safe Space Activity Name:
My Safe Space
Everyone has a place where they feel safe, calm, and happy. It could be a real place, like your bedroom, or a made-up place, like a magical forest or a cozy cloud. Today, we're going to create your safe space!
1
Imagine: Close your eyes. What colors are there? What sounds do you hear? How do you feel?
2
Draw: Use colors and details that make it feel special to you in the big box below.
What makes your safe space feel safe?
(You can draw a small picture, point to something, or write a word here if you like.)
My Communication Choices Worksheet Name:
Communication Choices
It's wonderful to have many ways to share our thoughts and feelings, especially when it's hard to use our words. Let's explore different ways you can communicate!
Ways to Share Without Talking:
Pointing You can point to pictures, words, or objects.
Drawing You can draw a picture to show what you're thinking.
Writing You can write down words or sentences.
Thumbs Up/Down A quick way to say "yes" or "no".
Practice Time!
How would you share these things without using your voice? Draw or write in the boxes.
1. You are happy.
2. You want a drink.
3. You don't understand something.
4. You like a game.
My Favorite Way to Share (Today!)
Which way feels most comfortable? You can draw it, circle it, or point to it above.
One Word Wonder Cool-Down One Word Wonder
We've had a great session today! Now, let's wrap up with a quick thought.
Choose one word that describes how you feel now, or one thing you learned.
Point to a word on our feelings chart
Draw a small picture below
Write the word (if you like)
My one word today is:
Thank you for being brave today! I'm so glad we spent this time together.
My Classroom Brave Steps Worksheet My Classroom Brave Steps
Tiny steps lead to big brave voices!
Sometimes, being brave in the classroom can feel tricky! But guess what? You have lots of ways to be brave and share your voice, even without using words.
Ways to be Brave in Class:
👍
Thumbs Up or Down
Give a quiet thumb up or down when your teacher asks a question.
👆
Point to the Answer
Point to pictures or words on the board to show what you know.
🎨
Draw Your Idea
Draw your idea on paper to share with your teacher or a friend.
👋
Use a Helper Card
Show a card with a picture when you need help or a break.
My Brave Step to Try:
Which of these would you like to try in class? You can draw a star next to it, circle it, or draw your own idea here!
