Communication Is Key

This lesson engages 8th graders in improving their communication skills through interactive activities focusing on both verbal and non-verbal methods. Each segment is carefully designed to help students understand the power of strong communication in creating and maintaining healthy relationships.

Materials

• Effective Communication Skills (Lesson Plan)
• Non-Verbal Communication Challenge (Game)
• Practicing Active Listening (Worksheet)

Lesson Structure (45 minutes Total)

1. Preparation (10 minutes)

• Review all materials including insights from the Effective Communication Skills lesson plan.
• Familiarize yourself with non-verbal cues and active listening strategies.
• Set up the space and ensure digital tools are ready.
  
  
  

2. Warm-Up Discussion (5 minutes)

• Initiate a discussion on what communication means in daily relationships.
• Encourage students to share an experience where effective communication helped solve a problem.
  
  
  
  
  
  

3. Activity 1: Non-Verbal Communication Challenge (15 minutes)

• Use the Non-Verbal Communication Challenge game to have students convey messages using body language and facial expressions only.
• After the game, discuss the cues they used and what they learned about non-verbal communication.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

4. Activity 2: Practicing Active Listening (15 minutes)

• Pair students to perform active listening exercises using the provided Practicing Active Listening worksheet.
• In these pairs, students practice paraphrasing and following up on each other's points to ensure clarity in communication.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

5. Cool-Down Reflection (10 minutes)

• Engage the entire group in a reflection discussion on what they learned about communication.
• Ask each student to share one communication tip they plan to implement in future interactions.

This combination of activities ensures students experience a natural progression from theoretical discussion to practical exercises, strengthening their communication skills in a meaningful and enjoyable way.

Practicing Active Listening

This worksheet is designed to help you practice and improve your active listening skills. Active listening means giving your full attention to the speaker, understanding their message, and providing thoughtful responses. Use the spaces provided to write down your answers and reflections.

Exercise 1: Paraphrasing

Read the following short passage and then write it in your own words (paraphrase it). Make sure to capture the main ideas:

"Communication is not just about talking, it is also about listening. When you truly listen, you understand not only the words but also the feelings behind them."

Your paraphrase:

Exercise 2: Follow-Up Questions

Imagine you are having a conversation with a friend who just told you about a challenging situation they faced at school. Write down two follow-up questions you could ask to show that you are listening carefully and to help them express more details.

1. Question:
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Question:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Exercise 3: Reflecting on Active Listening

Reflect on a recent conversation where you felt truly heard, or where you think the conversation could have been improved with better listening. Write a short reflection on what made the experience positive or what could be improved.

Reflection: