Lesson Plan
Communication Currents
Students will identify and practice clear speaking techniques, including 'I' statements, and active listening skills to improve communication.
Effective communication helps students express their needs and feelings, understand others, build stronger friendships, and resolve conflicts peacefully.
Audience
3rd-4th Grade Students
Time
45-55 minutes
Approach
Interactive role-plays and group discussions.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Communication Currents Slide Deck, Communication Scenarios Activity, and Active Listening Discussion Guide
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Communication Currents Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print or prepare to display the Communication Scenarios Activity.
- Review the Active Listening Discussion Guide prompts.
- Ensure appropriate space for small group work and role-playing.
- Gather any optional materials like markers or chart paper for brainstorming.
Step 1
Introduction: What is Communication?
10 minutes
- Begin with a warm-up question: "How do we share our thoughts and feelings?" (5 minutes)
- Introduce the concept of communication using the Communication Currents Slide Deck (Slide 1-3).
- Briefly explain clear speaking and active listening as key components of good communication. (5 minutes)
Step 2
Clear Speaking: 'I' Statements
15 minutes
- Introduce "I" statements using the Communication Currents Slide Deck (Slide 4-5).
- Explain why "I" statements are helpful for expressing feelings without blaming. (5 minutes)
- Practice converting "You" statements to "I" statements as a class. (5 minutes)
- Distribute or display the first part of the Communication Scenarios Activity focusing on "I" statements. Have students work in pairs to rephrase statements. (5 minutes)
Step 3
Active Listening: Show You Care
15 minutes
- Introduce active listening using the Communication Currents Slide Deck (Slide 6-7).
- Discuss techniques like making eye contact, nodding, and asking clarifying questions. (5 minutes)
- Facilitate a short role-play demonstration of good and bad listening. (5 minutes)
- Use the Active Listening Discussion Guide for a brief class discussion on why active listening is important. (5 minutes)
Step 4
Putting It Together: Role-Play Scenarios
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
- Distribute or display the remaining scenarios from the Communication Scenarios Activity.
- Instruct groups to role-play the scenarios, practicing both "I" statements and active listening. (7 minutes)
- Circulate to provide support and feedback. (3 minutes)
Step 5
Wrap-up and Reflection
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask students to share one thing they learned about clear speaking or active listening. (3 minutes)
- Emphasize the importance of using these skills in their daily lives. (2 minutes)
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Slide Deck
Communication Currents
Clear Speaking, Active Listening
Welcome students and introduce the topic of communication. Ask them what they think good communication looks like.
What Is Communication?
- Sharing ideas
- Expressing feelings
- Listening to others
It's like a river flowing between people!
Explain that communication is how we share our thoughts and feelings with others. It's a two-way street!
Why Is Good Communication Important?
- Build strong friendships
- Understand each other better
- Solve problems peacefully
- Feel heard and understood
Discuss why good communication is important: to make friends, understand each other, and solve problems.
Clear Speaking: "I" Statements
When you use an "I" statement, you tell people how you feel.
Instead of: "You always take my toys!"
Try: "I feel sad when my toys are taken without asking."
Introduce "I" statements. Explain that they help us talk about our feelings without blaming anyone.
More "I" Statements
It's about your feelings, your thoughts.
- "I feel frustrated when I don't get a turn."
- "I need some quiet time to finish my work."
- "I wish we could play a different game."
Provide more examples and have students practice. Ask them to think of a time they felt a certain way and how they could express it using an "I" statement.
Active Listening: Show You Care!
When you actively listen, you show the person talking that you care about what they are saying.
- Look at the person.
- Nod your head.
- Ask questions.
- Don't interrupt!
Introduce active listening. Explain that it's more than just hearing words; it's showing you understand.
Why Active Listening Matters
- Makes others feel important.
- Helps you understand better.
- Prevents misunderstandings.
- Shows respect.
Emphasize how showing you're listening helps the speaker feel respected and understood.
Let's Practice!
Today, we learned about:
- Clear Speaking: Using "I" statements to express feelings.
- Active Listening: Showing others you are really listening.
Let's try these skills out!
Summarize the key takeaways and encourage students to try these skills in their daily interactions.
Activity
Communication Scenarios Activity
Part 1: Crafting "I" Statements
Read each "You" statement below. How can you rephrase it into an "I" statement to express your feelings without blaming?
- Original: "You always interrupt me!"
"I" Statement: - Original: "You never share your toys!"
"I" Statement: - Original: "You made me spill my milk!"
"I" Statement: - Original: "You're being too loud!"
"I" Statement:
Part 2: Role-Play Communication Scenarios
Work with a partner or in a small group. Read each scenario and decide who will be Person A and Person B. Practice using "I" statements for clear speaking and active listening techniques.
Scenario 1: Trouble with a Game
Situation: Person A is upset because Person B changed the rules of a game without asking, and now Person A feels frustrated.
- Person A (Speaking): Use an "I" statement to explain how you feel about the game rules changing.
- Person B (Listening): Practice active listening. Look at Person A, nod, and paraphrase what you heard: "So, if I understand correctly, you feel..."
Scenario 2: A Missed Playdate
Situation: Person A thought they had a playdate with Person B, but Person B went to play with someone else. Person A feels left out and sad.
- Person A (Speaking): Use an "I" statement to share your feelings about the missed playdate.
- Person B (Listening): Practice active listening. Show empathy and ask a clarifying question: "That sounds like it made you feel... Can you tell me more about that?"
Scenario 3: Sharing Art Supplies
Situation: Person A wants to use the red crayon, but Person B has been using it for a long time and isn't finished. Person A feels impatient.
- Person A (Speaking): Use an "I" statement to express your desire to use the crayon.
- Person B (Listening): Practice active listening. Acknowledge Person A's feeling and suggest a solution: "I hear you want the red crayon. I'm almost done, maybe in a few minutes?"
Discussion
Active Listening Discussion Guide
Use these questions to guide a discussion with your students about active listening.
Discussion Questions:
- What does it look like when someone is actively listening to you? (Think about their face, their body, what they do.)
- How does it feel when someone is really listening to you? (Happy, respected, understood?)
- What happens when people don't listen very well? What can go wrong?
- Why is it important to ask questions when you are listening? How does that help?
- Can you think of a time when someone actively listened to you and it made a difference? Share your experience if you feel comfortable.
- What is one thing you will try to do today to be a better active listener?