Session 1 Lesson Plan Peer Power!
Session 1 Lesson Plan
TIER 1
TIME
15 Minutes
AUDIENCE
2nd Grade
APPROACH
Model & Practice
Why this matters?
Fostering peer support reduces teacher interruptions, encourages collaboration, and empowers students to solve problems independently.
Learning Objective
Introduce polite phrases for asking classmates for help and let students practice requesting assistance in pairs to build confidence and independence.
Materials
Polite Request Phrase Cards
Peer Role-Play Scenario Sheets
Session 1 Facilitator Script
Whiteboard and markers
Prep (5 Mins)
• Print and cut Phrase Cards
• Print Scenario Sheets
• Review script for timing
Instructional Steps
1
Introduction
2 Minutes
Gather students on the carpet or at their desks.
Ask: "What do you do when you need help with work?"
Briefly explain today’s goal: learning to ask a friend for help politely.
2
Teaching Polite Phrases
4 Minutes
Write phrase stems on the board: "Excuse me, ___." "Can you help me with ___?"
Show Polite Request Phrase Cards .
Read each card aloud and have students repeat together.
Emphasize using a friendly tone and making eye contact.
3
Modeling and Discussion
3 Minutes
Role-play with a volunteer: Teacher plays the student needing help.
Discuss: "What made that a polite request?"
Highlight key points: "Excuse me," clear question, "thank you" at the end.
4
Partner Practice
6 Minutes
Pair up students and hand out Scenario Sheets .
Students take turns using phrases to ask for help based on scenarios.
Circulate to provide feedback and "power" encouragement.
End with a group "thumbs-up" for confidence.
Session 1 Script Peer Power! Session 1 Script
Facilitator Guide
Materials Checklist
Phrase Cards Scenario Sheets Markers/Board
Intro
2 Minutes
Gather students on the carpet or at their desks.
Teacher: “Good morning, friends! Can I have your attention, please? I have a quick question: What do you do when you need help with your work?”
(Pause for several students to share)
Teacher: “Those are great ideas! Today, we’re going to learn how to ask a friend for help before asking the teacher. That way, you can show your classmates how helpful you are and become super helpers in our classroom!”
Teaching
4 Minutes
Write on the whiteboard: “Excuse me, ___.” and “Can you help me with ___?”
Teacher: “Let’s look at these two sentence starters. First, ‘Excuse me.’ Can everyone say ‘Excuse me’ with me?”
(Students repeat)
Teacher: “Awesome! Now, let’s add, ‘Can you help me with…?’ Repeat after me: ‘Can you help me with…?’”
(Students repeat)
Teacher: “Great! When we put them together, we get: ‘Excuse me, can you help me with my math problem?’ Let’s try it.”
(Lead students in reading the full phrase aloud)
Teacher: “I’m going to show you our Polite Request Phrase Cards . We’ll read each part together. Remember to look at your friend’s eyes and use a friendly voice!”
(Hold up each card, read together, encourage clear voices and smiles)
Modeling
3 Minutes
Teacher: “I need a volunteer! Who would like to help me practice?”
(Choose a volunteer and have them stand next to you)
Teacher: (Pretending to be student) “Oh no! I can’t figure out this writing assignment. (To volunteer) Now you ask me for help using our polite phrases.”
Volunteer: “Excuse me, can you help me with my writing?”
Teacher: “Thank you for asking so politely! What made that request polite? Turn and tell your neighbor.”
(Pause for partners to discuss, then take student responses)
Teacher: “Exactly! Remember: start with ‘Excuse me,’ ask clearly, and say ‘thank you’ at the end.”
Practice
6 Minutes
Teacher: “Now, find a partner and sit face to face. I’m handing out our Peer Role-Play Scenario Sheets . Each of you will take turns asking for help. Use your phrase cards and our three steps: ‘Excuse me,’ clear question, ‘thank you.’”
(Distribute sheets; students pair up and begin)
Teacher (Circulating): “I love how you looked at your friend’s eyes! Remember to start with ‘Excuse me.’ Perfect!”
Teacher: “Okay, friends—give me a thumbs-up if you and your partner feel confident asking for help... Fantastic job! Keep using these phrases whenever you need a little help from a friend!”
Polite Request Role Play Activity Polite Request
Role-Play
Name:
Date:
Directions
1 Find a partner and sit face to face.
2 Take turns choosing a scenario from the list below.
3 Use the "Peer Power Steps" to ask for help!
Step 1
Say "Excuse me..."
Step 2
Ask clearly
Step 3
Say "Thank you!"
Scenarios
🍯
You can’t open your glue stick. Ask your friend to help you open it.
🖍️
You dropped a crayon under your desk. Ask your friend to pick it up.
📖
You’re stuck on a spelling word. Ask your friend to help you sound it out.
➕
You don’t know how to start your math problem. Ask for the first step.
👟
You need help tying your shoe. Ask your friend to help you tie your lace.
🧽
You can’t find your eraser. Ask your friend if you can borrow theirs.
🎨
You don’t know what to draw. Ask your friend to share an idea.
7️⃣
You forgot how to write the number 7. Ask your friend to show you.
REMEMBER: Use a friendly voice and look at your friend's eyes!
Polite Request Phrase Cards Polite Request Phrase Cards
Session 1 • Print and Cut
Excuse me...
Step 1
Can you help me with...?
Step 2
Thank you!
Step 3
_____
Extra Card
Use these cards during modeling and partner practice to help students remember the phrase stems.
Session 2 Lesson Plan Peer Power!
Session 2 Lesson Plan
SESSION 2
TIME
15 Minutes
AUDIENCE
2nd Grade
FOCUS
Active Listening
The "Why"
Encouraging students to listen and respond to peers builds collaboration, reduces teacher interruptions, and strengthens communication and independence in the classroom.
Learning Objective
"Teach students active listening skills and polite responses when classmates ask for help, so they can support each other effectively."
Materials
Active Listening Response Cards
Help Request Role-Play Cards
Session 2 Script
Whiteboard/Markers
Prep (5 Mins)
• Print and cut Response Cards
• Print and cut Role-Play Cards
• Review Session 2 Script
Session Roadmap
1
Introduction
2 Minutes
Review polite requests. Explain goal: learning to listen and respond when a friend needs help.
2
Teaching Key Responses
4 Minutes
Teach: "Sure, I can help. What do you need?" . Use Response Cards to practice tone and eye contact.
3
Modeling & Discussion
3 Minutes
Role-play helper response with volunteer. Discuss listening behaviors (nodding, friendly tone).
4
Partner Role-Play
6 Minutes
Partners use Role-Play Cards and Response Cards to practice asking and answering.
Session 2 Script Peer Power! Session 2 Script
Listening & Responding
Session 2 Pack
Response Cards Role-Play Cards Whiteboard
Intro
2 Minutes
Gather students on the carpet or at their desks.
Teacher: “Welcome back, super helpers! Yesterday, we learned how to ask a friend for help politely. Who can remind us what we say first when we need help?”
(Pause for responses: “Excuse me!” “Can you help me with…?”)
Teacher: “Exactly! Today our goal is to practice listening carefully and responding when a friend asks for help. Ready to learn how to be great helpers?”
Teaching
4 Minutes
Write on the whiteboard: “Sure, I can help. What do you need?” and “Let me show you how I do it.”
Teacher: “Here are two friendly ways to respond when someone asks for help. First: ‘Sure, I can help. What do you need?’ Repeat that with me!”
(Students repeat)
Teacher: “Great! Now try: ‘Let me show you how I do it.’ Say it with a smile.”
(Students repeat)
Teacher: “I’m going to show our Active Listening Response Cards . Let’s read each one together. Remember: look at your friend’s eyes, nod to show you’re listening, and speak in a friendly voice.”
(Hold up each card, read aloud, have students echo tone and gesture)
Modeling
3 Minutes
Teacher: “I need a helper! Who will practice listening with me?”
(Choose a volunteer and give them a card)
Teacher (Asking): “Excuse me, can you help me with this puzzle piece?”
Volunteer: “Sure, I can help. Which piece are you working on?”
Teacher: “Thank you! Now, what did you notice about how my friend responded? Turn and talk.”
(Pause for discussion)
Teacher: “Who can share one thing they noticed? (Student responses). Yes! Eye contact, follow-up questions, and speaking nicely help our friends feel understood.”
Practice
6 Minutes
Teacher: “Now let’s practice with a partner. Find a friend and sit face to face. I’m handing out our Help Request Role-Play Cards . Each round, one of you will draw a card and ask for help using our polite phrases. The other will choose an Active Listening Response Card and reply.”
(Distribute cards; students begin role-plays)
Teacher (Circulating): “I love how you’re making eye contact! Nice follow-up question, Emma!”
Teacher: “Okay, helpers—freeze and give me a thumbs-up... Wonderful! Turn to your partner and share one helpful response you practiced. You all did an amazing job listening!”
Helper Response Challenge Activity Helper Response
Challenge
NAME: ____________________
How to Play
Find a partner. Partner A draws a Help Request Card .
Partner A asks for help politely using their polite words.
Partner B chooses a Response Card from the list below.
Partner B reads it with a friendly voice and eye contact!
Helper Response Cards
✂️ CUT ALONG THE DASHED LINES
Sure, I can help. What do you need?
Let me show you how I do it.
Which part is most confusing for you?
I’d be happy to explain that again.
Let’s work on this step by step.
Try it this way and let me know how it goes.
You can borrow my eraser if you’d like.
Tell me more about what you’re thinking.
Great question! Let’s figure it out together.
Would you like me to start, or do you want to try first?
Look at their eyes
Friendly smile
Patient voice
Session 2 Challenge Cards Session 2 Challenge Cards
Help Requests (Partner A) • Responses (Partner B)
REQUEST
"Excuse me, can you help me with this puzzle piece?"
RESPONSE
"Sure, I can help. What part do you need?"
REQUEST
"Excuse me, can you tell me how to spell 'friend'?"
RESPONSE
"Which part is most confusing for you?"
REQUEST
"Excuse me, could you show me how to do this math?"
RESPONSE
"Let me show you how I do it."
REQUEST
"Excuse me, I missed the directions. What do we do?"
RESPONSE
"I’d be happy to explain that again."
REQUEST
"Excuse me, my glue is stuck. Can you help?"
RESPONSE
"Let’s work on this step by step."
REQUEST
"Excuse me, can I borrow your red crayon?"
RESPONSE
"Sure, you can borrow mine!"
Teacher: Cut these cards out for pairs to draw from during the Challenge Activity.
Session 3 Lesson Plan Peer Power!
Session 3 Lesson Plan
FINALE
TIME
15 Minutes
GOAL
Skill Mastery
METHOD
Review & Play
The "Why"
Combining request and response practice boosts peer support, builds communication, and keeps students confident and collaborative.
Learning Objective
"Reinforce polite asking and helpful responding by engaging students in a matching activity and a fun board game, so they practice both skills together."
Materials
• Request-Response Match-Up Sheets
• Request & Response Game Cards
• Peer Power! Board Game
• Game pieces (coins/tokens)
• Session 3 Script
Prep (5 Mins)
• Print Match-Up Activity Sheets
• Print/Cut Game Cards & Boards
• Gather game tokens
Session Roadmap
1
Introduction
2 Minutes
Recap Session 1 (requests) and 2 (responses). Ask for volunteers to demonstrate both.
2
Match-Up Activity
4 Minutes
Pairs match requests with best responses. Encourage speaking the phrases aloud.
3
Game Explanation
3 Minutes
Show board and cards. Rules: Draw card → Practice phrase → Move 1 space.
4
Play Game!
6 Minutes
Groups play Peer Power! board game. First to finish yells "Peer Power!".
Session 3 Script Peer Power! Session 3 Script
Power Practice
Final Kit
Match-Up Sheets Game Board/Cards
Intro
2 Minutes
Teacher: “Hello again, super helpers! We’ve practiced how to ask politely and how to listen kindly. Who can show me our first step when asking a friend for help?”
(Wait for: “Excuse me!” / “Can you help me with…?”)
Teacher: “Perfect! And who can give me a helpful response when someone asks for help?”
(Accept answers like “Sure, I can help.” or “Let me show you.”)
Teacher: “Today’s goal is to put both skills together. First, a matching activity, and then we’ll play a fun board game! Let’s get started!”
Matching
4 Minutes
Teacher: “I’m handing out our Match-Up Activity Sheets . Find a partner and work together to draw a line matching each request on the left with the best response on the right.”
Teacher: “Remember: when you match, say the request out loud and then try the response. Talk about why they go together.”
(Circulate, then select one pair to share)
Teacher: “Awesome explanations! Nice job thinking about both sides of the conversation.”
Explanation
3 Minutes
How to Play:
Draw a card.
If it’s a Request Card , practice asking politely to a partner.
If it’s a Response Card , practice replying helpfully.
After you speak, move your piece one space forward.
First to reach the end yells “Peer Power!”
(Demonstrate one turn with a volunteer)
Game On
6 Minutes
Teacher: “Divide into your game groups. Make sure everyone has a piece. Start playing now! Use your friendly voices!”
(Circulate, praise eye contact and listening behaviors)
Teacher: “One minute left! (Wait). Hands down—thumbs-up if you had fun! Fantastic! You are all Peer Power pros. Keep helping each other every day!”
Request-Response Match-Up Activity Sheet Match-Up
Power Practice
Name:
Date:
DIRECTIONS
Draw a line matching each Request on the left with the best Response on the right. Read them out loud with your partner as you match!
Requests (Ask)
Excuse me, can you help me with this math problem?
Excuse me, can you tell me how to spell “heart”?
Excuse me, can you show me how to tie this knot?
Excuse me, could you pick up the pencil I dropped?
Excuse me, could you help me open my glue stick?
Excuse me, can you remind me what to do next?
Excuse me, could you lend me your eraser?
Excuse me, can you help me draw the next shape?
Responses (Help)
A.
Sure, I can help. What part do you need?
B.
Let’s work on this step by step.
C.
Which part is most confusing for you?
D.
You can borrow mine if you’d like.
E.
Let me show you how I do it.
F.
Try it this way and let me know how it goes.
G.
Great question! Let’s figure it out together.
H.
I’d be happy to explain that again.
POWER MATCH: Discuss with your partner why these go together!
Peer Power Game Pack Peer Power!
The Board Game
MASTER
CLASS!
START
1
2
Extra Friendly Bonus!
4
5
Eye Contact Power!
7
8
Helper Shoutout!
10
PEER POWER!
Rules
Draw a card
Practice phrase
Move 1 space
Request & Response Game Cards
✂️ PRINT AND CUT CARDS
REQUEST
“Excuse me, can you help me with this math problem?”
RESPONSE
“Sure, I can help. What part do you need?”
REQUEST
“Excuse me, can you tell me how to spell ‘heart’?”
RESPONSE
“Let me show you how I do it.”
REQUEST
“Excuse me, could you help me open my glue stick?”
RESPONSE
“Which part is most confusing for you?”
REQUEST
“Excuse me, could you pick up my pencil?”
RESPONSE
“I’d be happy to explain that again.”
REQUEST
“Excuse me, can you show me how to tie this knot?”
RESPONSE
“Let’s work on this step by step.”
REQUEST
“Excuse me, can you remind me what to write next?”
RESPONSE
“Try it this way and let me know.”