Advocacy Discussion Guide

Introduction: What is Advocacy?

• Teacher: "We just talked about advocacy. In your own words, what does advocacy mean to you?"
  
  
  
• Teacher: "Can you think of a time when you had to speak up for yourself or someone else? What happened?"
  
  
  
  
  
  

When and Why Do We Advocate?

• Teacher: "What are some situations at school where a student might need to advocate for themselves? (e.g., not understanding an assignment, feeling unfairly treated, needing a different way to learn something)"
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Teacher: "Why is it important to speak up in these situations instead of staying silent? What might happen if you don't?"
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Teacher: "How can advocating for yourself help you and others in the long run?"
  
  
  
  
  
  

Being an Ally: Advocating for Others

• Teacher: "What does it mean to be an 'ally'? How is advocating for others similar to or different from advocating for yourself?"
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Teacher: "Can you think of a time when you saw someone else need help, and you or someone else stepped in to support them? What did that look like?"
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Teacher: "What are some brave but kind ways we can speak up if we see a friend being treated unfairly?"
  
  
  
  
  
  

Assertive Communication & Active Listening

• Teacher: "We talked about assertive communication. How is being assertive different from being aggressive or passive? Why is assertive communication the best way to advocate?"
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Teacher: "Why is active listening an important part of advocacy? How does listening help you advocate more effectively?"
  
  
  
  
  
  

Conclusion

• Teacher: "What is one new thing you learned about advocacy today?"
  
  
  
• Teacher: "What is one way you plan to be an 'Advocacy Ally' this week, either for yourself or someone else?"
  
  
  

Role-Play Scenarios: Being an Advocacy Ally!

Objective: To practice assertive communication and advocacy skills in different scenarios.

Instructions:

1. Form Groups: You will be divided into small groups of 3-4 students.
2. Choose a Scenario: Each group will pick one scenario from the list below.
3. Assign Roles: Within your group, assign roles for the scenario (e.g., student needing help, classmate, teacher, bully, friend).
4. Practice: Work together to act out the scenario. Focus on using assertive communication and active listening skills. How can the character needing advocacy speak up? How can an ally support them? How can the situation be resolved respectfully?
5. Perform (Optional): If time permits and groups are comfortable, you may share your role-play with the class.
6. Reflect: After each role-play (whether in groups or as a class), discuss the following questions:
   • What assertive statements were used?<r><r><r>
   • How did active listening help in this situation?<r><r><r>
   • What was challenging about this scenario?<r><r><r>
   • What was effective in resolving the situation or advocating for needs?<r><r><r>

Scenario Cards

Scenario 1: The Group Project Mix-Up

• Situation: You are working on a group project, and one member isn't doing their part. The deadline is approaching, and you're worried about your grade.
• Roles: Student worried about grade, group member not participating, another group member, teacher.
• Challenge: How do you advocate for your concerns and encourage the group member to contribute, without being mean or aggressive?

Scenario 2: The Unfair Game

• Situation: During recess, some students are making up new rules for a game, and they are excluding one of your friends, saying they