A four-week gamified communication block sequence designed for educators and assistants to build speech and language skills through play. Systematically targets WH-questions, subjective pronouns, inferencing with evidence, synonyms, and social-pragmatic communication with daily games and commercial game adaptations.
Leo is outside at recess. Big gray clouds roll in and lightning flashes in the distance.
Student A Prediction Question: "What will Leo do next?" → Prompt frame: "He will [ ______ ] because it is going to rain."
Scenario 2: The High Shelf
Elena sees a jar of cookies on top of the refrigerator. Her arms cannot reach it.
Student A Prediction Question: "What will Elena do next?" → Prompt frame: "She will [ ______ ] because she needs help."
Communication Game Lab • Printables • Vocabulary & Predictions Page 2 of 2
Step 1: Silent Point
When student freezes, simply point a finger at the target phrase on their desk strip.
Step 2: First-Word Whisper
If still stuck after 3 seconds, whisper the first word: "My..." or "Your..."
Step 3: Instant High-Five
Immediately celebrate any successful functional speech attempt to build conversational confidence!
Communication Game Lab • Functional Talk Strips Tool Page 2 of 2
Standard Prompt: "Student A, the boy is holding an empty leash and the gate is wide open. What will he do next?" → Target: "He will look for his dog because it ran out the gate."
Student B: Inferencing with Story Evidence Inferential Evidence
Standard Prompt: "Student B, what weather is it based on Aaliyah taking off her heavy coat and sweating?" → Target: "It is hot because she wiped sweat and turned on the fan."
Student C: Active Social Group Interaction Social Participation
Standard Prompt: Student C holds the mystery clue card: "Student A, are you ready for your clue?"
Real-Time Rescue Prompts (Case Solvers)
If Student A is Stuck:
• Can't Predict: Point to 1 visual clue: "Look at the open gate. What does a dog usually do?"
• Grammar Blunder: Echo and model clearly: "You said 'Him will run'. Say: 'He will run!'"
If Student B is Stuck:
• Guesses Without Text Proof: Say: "Put your finger on the exact story sentence that proves that."
• Confuses Synonyms: Reread sentence with choice substituted: "Does 'She felt bored' match her gasping?"
If Student C is Stuck:
• Reluctant to Speak: Give partner fist-bump cue: "Give Student B the magnifying glass and say 'Your clue!'"
• Interrupts Peer: Touch shoulder gently: "Wait for Student A to finish, then share your clue."
Fast Finisher Extensions (Extra Time Options)
+5 to 8 Mins Extra
Extension A: "The 30-Second Mystery Swap" Fast Game
Pick an item in the room (e.g. blue stapler). Student B gives 2 descriptive synonym clues. Student A guesses who uses it using "He uses it because...". Student C awards the Master Detective badge.
Extension B: "UNO Secret Agent" Card Game
Each player holds 2 secret UNO cards. To play a card, they must make up a brand new sentence matching the color rule (Blue = Pronoun, Green = Synonym, Red = Why/Because).
Schedule: Mon: Case #1 • Tue: UNO Mystery • Wed: Case #2 • Thu: Clue Jr • Fri: Detective Vault
Communication Game Lab • Facilitator Guide Page 2 of 2
Clue Station 4
Jordan held a wooden spool with tangled string leading up into a high oak tree branch. A bright yellow diamond kite was caught in the leaves. Chloe ran toward the garage with an aluminum ladder and a long pole.
Student A Target • Why + Reasoning Why is Chloe bringing a ladder? Frame: [Because...]:
Student C Target • Social Teamwork Ask Jordan politely: "May I help you hold the ladder?"
Synonym Challenge: Chloe was RESOURCEFUL. What does resourceful mean?
A) Good at problem solving
B) Very quiet
C) Annoyed
Junior Detective Badge Verification: All 4 clues cracked using complete sentences and teamwork!
OFFICIAL STAMP
Communication Game Lab • Story Detectives Case Files Page 2 of 2
Student B: Contextual Synonym Choice & Proof Student B Target
Standard Prompt: "Student B, the jeep drove across treacherous, rocky hills. Which means treacherous: Safe, Dangerous, or Smooth?" → Target: "Dangerous, because the hills were rocky and hard to drive on."
Student C: Peer Encouragement & Repair Student C Target
Standard Prompt: Student A just solved a challenging question: "Student C, what can you say to cheer for Student A?"
Real-Time Rescue Prompts (Safari Rescue)
If Student A is Stuck:
• Drops Second Clause: Tap table twice: "Add 'because'!"
• Reverts to Noun: Remind: "Use your secret agent pronoun: 'He' or 'She'?"
If Student B is Stuck:
• Confused by Field of 3: Read aloud with tone emphasis: "Is tranquil like angry, calm, or scared?"
• Rushes without Thinking: Say: "Take 3 seconds to picture it in your mind."
If Student C is Stuck:
• Hesitates on Turn Passing: Offer hand prompt: "Hand the dice to Student B and say: 'Your turn to roll!'"
• Misses Social Cue: Whisper starter: "Say: 'Great answer!'"
Processing Strategy: The Power of 5-Second Wait Time
Many speech learners fail to respond independently when adults intervene within 1-2 seconds. In Week 3, silently count: "One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi, four Mississippi, five Mississippi" while maintaining warm eye contact. This processing buffer dramatically increases independent sentence formulation!
Fast Finisher Extensions (Overtime Safari Games)
+5 to 8 Mins Extra
Extension A: "Safari Antonym Ambush" Vocabulary
Flip a challenge card. Instead of the synonym, Student B must name the opposite word (e.g. Rapid → Slow). Student A uses it in a sentence: "He is moving slowly."
Extension B: "UNO Wild Card Story Maker" Expressive
Whenever a Wild Card is played, the team builds a 3-sentence animal adventure. Student C begins the story, Student A adds a pronoun action sentence, and Student B uses a Tier 2 vocabulary word!
Communication Game Lab • Facilitator Guide Page 2 of 2
B) Shiny new
C) Broken
Safari Card #5 • Canopy Climb Student A Target
Dr. Grace is securing her harness before climbing the tall mahogany tree.
Task: Who is climbing? Formulate: [She is...].
Why/Reasoning: Why does she wear a harness?
Safari Card #6 • The Silent Tiger Student B Target
"The tiger remained TRANQUIL while resting in the warm sun."
A) Angry and loud
B) Calm and peaceful
C) Scared
Communication Game Lab • Synonym Safari Challenge Cards Page 2 of 2
If Student A is Stuck:
• Chamber 1 Door Locked: Provide a "50/50 Key": "Is the chef doing something he baked, or did she bake?"
• Prediction Freeze: Ask: "Look at the track shoes. What happens at 'Ready, Set, Go'?"
If Student B is Stuck:
• Synonym Code Failure: Whisper a context clue: "Immense is like a skyscraper, not an ant."
• Missing Evidence: Tap the clue paper: "Read the second line out loud to unlock the door."
If Student C is Stuck:
• Social Hesitation: Give the Golden Microphone: "Announce to the team who has the next chamber key!"
• Turn Conflict: Cue repair script: "Say: 'Let's take turns nicely, team!'"
Fast Finisher Extensions (Championship Overtime Games)
+5 to 8 Mins Extra
Extension A: "The Grandmaster Secret Vault" Riddle Quest
Students face a bonus riddle: "I am huge (synonym: gigantic), I wear a grey coat (pronoun: he/she), and I spray water from my nose." Student A names the animal with full pronouns, Student B explains why, and Student C awards the Golden Trophy sticker!
Lightning 5-card UNO showdown. Every single card played must be paired with an expressive sentence: Blue (Pronouns), Green (Synonym match), Red (Why/Because), and Wild (Student C social cheer).
Ongoing Schedule (Month 2+): Rotate weekly games: Monday: UNO Speech Club • Wednesday: Outfoxed! / Guess Who? • Friday: Apples to Apples Jr
Communication Game Lab • Facilitator Guide Page 2 of 2
Facilitator Signature:
Communication Game Lab • Speech Champions Badges & Certificates Page 2 of 2
