Soft Skills Warm-Up

Instructions: Take a moment to think about the following questions and write down your initial thoughts. We will discuss these as a class.

1. When you hear the term "soft skills," what comes to mind?
   
   
   

2. Why do you think skills like communication, teamwork, or problem-solving are important for your future, whether in college, a job, or just in life?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Soft Skills Scenario Cards

Instructions: In your groups, read each scenario below. Discuss which soft skills are most important for navigating the situation successfully. Then, brainstorm specific actions you would take, applying those soft skills.

Scenario 1: The Group Project Gone Wrong

Your history class has a major group project due next week. One member of your group hasn't contributed anything, doesn't respond to messages, and missed the last two planning meetings. The other group members are getting frustrated, and the deadline is looming.

• Which soft skills are most important here?
  
  
  
• What specific actions would your group take to address this?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Scenario 2: The Conflicting Schedules

Your new part-time job requires you to work shifts that sometimes overlap with your most important advanced placement class. Your manager is strict about scheduling, and your teacher emphasizes attendance. You need both the job and the class.

• Which soft skills are most important here?
  
  
  
• What steps would you take to resolve this conflict?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Scenario 3: Misunderstanding with a Friend

You sent a text to a close friend that you thought was funny, but they responded with a very short, upset message. Now they aren't answering your calls, and you're not sure why they're mad. You value this friendship.

• Which soft skills are most important here?
  
  
  
• How would you try to repair the misunderstanding?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Scenario 4: Presenting a Tough Idea

You have a brilliant idea for a school club fundraiser, but it's a bit unconventional. You need to present it to the student council, and you anticipate some resistance and skepticism from certain members.

• Which soft skills are most important here?
  
  
  
• How would you prepare for and deliver your presentation to maximize your chances of success?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Soft Skills Reflection Journal

Instructions: Reflect on today's lesson about soft skills. Use the prompts below to think about your own strengths and areas for growth.

Part 1: Self-Assessment

1. Out of the soft skills we discussed (Communication, Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Adaptability, Critical Thinking), which one do you feel is your strongest? Provide a specific example of when you used this skill effectively.
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Which soft skill do you think you need to develop most? Why is this skill challenging for you, and what makes you want to improve it?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Future Application

3. Think about your plans after high school (college, career, vocational training, etc.). Choose one soft skill and explain how developing it further will directly help you achieve your future goals.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. What is one concrete action you can take this week to practice or improve a specific soft skill? Be specific!
   
   
   
   
   
   

Soft Skills Cool-Down

Instructions: Before you leave, please answer the following question.

What is one new insight you gained about soft skills today, or one soft skill you feel more confident about using after this lesson?

Beyond Grades: Soft Skills Unlocked! Script

Warm-Up: What Are Soft Skills? (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super important for your future, something that goes 'beyond grades.' We're going to explore what we call 'soft skills.'"

(Display Beyond Grades: Soft Skills Unlocked! Slide Deck - Slide 1)

Teacher: "Take a look at this title: 'Beyond Grades: Soft Skills Unlocked!' What do you think 'soft skills' means? Has anyone heard this term before? What comes to mind when you hear it?"

(Allow students to share ideas. Guide them towards the idea of personal attributes and interpersonal abilities.)

Teacher: "Exactly! Soft skills are those personal qualities and interpersonal skills that help us interact effectively and harmoniously with others. They're about how you work, how you communicate, and how you solve problems, not just what you know from textbooks."

(Display Beyond Grades: Soft Skills Unlocked! Slide Deck - Slide 2)

Teacher: "As you can see on the slide, they are personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. So, why do you think these skills are so important? How might they help you in college, in a job, or just in life in general?"

(Facilitate a brief discussion, drawing connections to real-world scenarios.)

Teacher: "Today, our objective is to identify some key soft skills and then reflect on our own strengths and areas where we can grow. This will help you prepare for whatever comes next, whether it's college, a new job, or just navigating your daily life."

Exploring Key Soft Skills (15 minutes)

Teacher: "Let's dive into some specific soft skills that are highly valued in every aspect of life."

(Display Beyond Grades: Soft Skills Unlocked! Slide Deck - Slide 3)

Teacher: "First up: Communication. This isn't just about talking. It's about getting your message across clearly, whether you're speaking, writing an email, or even just through your body language. It's also about listening! Can anyone give an example of how good communication helps in a group project or even just with your friends? What about a time when poor communication caused a problem?"

(Allow for a few student examples and discuss.)

(Display Beyond Grades: Soft Skills Unlocked! Slide Deck - Slide 4)

Teacher: "Next, Collaboration. This is all about working together towards a common goal. Think about teamwork, sharing ideas, and even resolving disagreements respectfully. When have you seen great teamwork in action, maybe in a sports team, a school club, or a class project?"

(Allow for a few student examples and discuss.)

(Display Beyond Grades: Soft Skills Unlocked! Slide Deck - Slide 5)

Teacher: "Then we have Problem-Solving. Life throws challenges at us, and this skill is about finding solutions when you hit a wall. It involves identifying the real problem, thinking critically about options, and making good decisions. What's a recent problem you've had to solve, big or small?"

(Allow for a few student examples and discuss.)

(Display Beyond Grades: Soft Skills Unlocked! Slide Deck - Slide 6)

Teacher: "Another crucial skill is Adaptability. The world is constantly changing, and being flexible, resilient, and open to learning new things helps us roll with the punches. How has being adaptable helped you, perhaps when plans changed unexpectedly or you had to learn something new quickly?"

(Allow for a few student examples and discuss.)

(Display Beyond Grades: Soft Skills Unlocked! Slide Deck - Slide 7)

Teacher: "Finally, Emotional Intelligence. This is about understanding your own emotions, managing them, and also understanding and responding to the emotions of others. It involves self-awareness, empathy, and social skills. Why is it so important to understand how others are feeling? How does that impact your interactions?"

(Allow for a few student examples and discuss.)

Soft Skills Self-Assessment (15 minutes)

Teacher: "Now that we've explored these important soft skills, it's time for some self-reflection. I'm going to hand out the Soft Skills Self-Assessment Worksheet."

(Distribute the worksheets.)

Teacher: "On this worksheet, you'll see a list of soft skills we just discussed. I want you to honestly assess your own proficiency in each area. There are no right or wrong answers here; this is purely for your own personal growth. Take your time to think about each skill and where you feel you stand. We won't be collecting these for a grade, but they are a valuable tool for understanding yourselves better."

(Circulate around the room to answer any questions and ensure students are engaged in the self-assessment.)

Scenario Activity & Discussion (15 minutes)

Teacher: "Alright, let's put some of these skills into practice! I'm going to divide you into small groups."

(Divide students into groups of 3-4 and distribute the Soft Skills Scenario Activity worksheet.)

Teacher: "Each group has a few scenarios. Your task is to read through these situations and discuss which soft skills would be most important to navigate them effectively. Be ready to share your group's insights with the class."

(Allow groups about 10 minutes to discuss the scenarios. Circulate to provide guidance and listen to discussions.)

Teacher: "Okay, let's bring it back together. Who would like to share their insights from the first scenario? What soft skills did your group identify as crucial?"

(Facilitate a whole-class discussion using prompts from the Soft Skills Discussion material, allowing each group to share at least one key takeaway. Encourage students to explain why certain skills are important for each scenario.)

Cool-Down: My Soft Skill Goal (5 minutes)

Teacher: "We're almost out of time, but before we go, I want you to think about everything we've discussed today."

(Display Beyond Grades: Soft Skills Unlocked! Slide Deck - Slide 8)

Teacher: "Looking at the skills we covered and your own self-assessment, which ONE soft skill do you want to focus on improving in the coming week or month? And just as importantly, how will you try to practice or develop this skill? Take a moment to write it down on your worksheet or in your notebook."

(Allow students a couple of minutes to write.)

Teacher: "Would anyone like to briefly share the skill they chose and how they plan to work on it?"

(Allow a few students to share if time permits.)

Teacher: "Excellent! Remember, these skills aren't just for school; they're for life. Keep practicing them, and you'll find yourselves much better prepared for whatever challenges and opportunities come your way. Great job today, everyone!"