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Family Communication Superpowers

Anna

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Family Communication Superpowers

Students will learn and practice effective communication strategies to strengthen family bonds and resolve conflicts constructively.

Effective family communication creates a supportive and understanding home environment, helping everyone feel heard and valued. These skills are essential for navigating daily life and building strong relationships.

Audience

4th Grade Class

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive activities and collaborative discussion.

Materials

Speaking and Listening Heroes Presentation (slide-deck), Two Truths and a Wish Family Share (warm-up), Active Listening Obstacle Course (activity), and Family Communication Charter Creation (discussion)

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Speaking and Listening Heroes Presentation to ensure familiarity with the content.
  • Print copies of the Two Truths and a Wish Family Share activity template.
  • Gather materials for the Active Listening Obstacle Course (e.g., blindfolds, simple household objects).
  • Prepare chart paper and markers for the Family Communication Charter Creation discussion.
  • Ensure technology for the slide deck is ready.

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up: Our Communication Superpowers

10 minutes

  • Begin by welcoming students and introducing the topic of family communication superpowers.
  • Facilitate the Two Truths and a Wish Family Share warm-up activity. Explain the rules: students will share two true statements about their family communication and one wish for improving it. Encourage sharing in pairs or small groups, then a few volunteers with the whole class.
  • Briefly discuss the importance of listening during the warm-up.

Step 2

Direct Instruction: Speaking & Listening Heroes

15 minutes

  • Present the Speaking and Listening Heroes Presentation.
  • Focus on key concepts: clear speaking, active listening (making eye contact, nodding, asking clarifying questions), and empathy. Use the slides to guide the discussion and provide examples.

Step 3

Activity: Active Listening Obstacle Course

20 minutes

  • Introduce the Active Listening Obstacle Course activity. Explain the objective: to practice active listening and clear speaking.
  • Divide students into pairs and distribute blindfolds and other necessary materials. Guide them through setting up and completing the obstacle course as per the activity instructions.
  • Circulate and provide support and feedback as students navigate the course.

Step 4

Discussion: Family Communication Charter

10 minutes

  • Gather students for a whole-class discussion using the Family Communication Charter Creation prompts.
  • Lead the class in brainstorming and drafting a collaborative communication charter, emphasizing the

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

5 minutes

  • Briefly recap the main communication superpowers learned.
  • Encourage students to share their learning with their families and consider creating their own family communication charter at home.
  • Answer any remaining questions and conclude the lesson.
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Slide Deck

Welcome, Communication Superheroes!

Our Mission Today:

To discover and practice our family communication superpowers!

Why it matters:

Strong communication makes families happier and stronger!

Welcome students and introduce the idea of communication as a superpower within families. Ask them what they think good communication looks like.

Superpower #1: Speaking Clearly

Using Your Voice for Good!

  • Be Direct: Say what you mean.
  • "I" Statements: Talk about your feelings.
    • Instead of: "You never listen!"
    • Try: "I feel unheard when..."
  • Clear & Calm: Speak in a way that helps others understand, not argue.

Explain what 'speaking clearly' means. Emphasize using 'I' statements to express feelings without blame. Give examples like 'I feel frustrated when...' instead of 'You always make me frustrated.'

Superpower #2: Active Listening

The Power of Your Ears (and Brains)!

  • Eyes on the Speaker: Show you're paying attention.
  • Nods & 'Uh-huhs': Let them know you're following along.
  • Reflect & Repeat: "So, if I understand correctly, you're saying..."
  • Ask Questions: "Can you tell me more about that?"

Introduce active listening. Explain each component: eye contact, nodding, asking clarifying questions. Emphasize that listening is not just waiting for your turn to speak.

Superpower #3: Empathy & Understanding

Stepping into Someone Else's Shoes

  • Try to understand: How does the other person feel?
  • Show you care: "I can see why you'd feel that way."
  • It's okay to disagree: You can understand someone without agreeing with them.

Discuss empathy – understanding how others feel. Connect it to listening. Ask students how they know when someone understands them.

Putting Our Superpowers to Use!

Solving Problems Together

  • When conflicts happen, our communication superpowers help us find solutions.
  • Everyone gets a chance to use their clear speaking and active listening.
  • Let's practice these skills!

Introduce the idea of conflict resolution. Explain that communication superpowers help solve problems, not just avoid them. Lead into the next activity.

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Warm Up

Two Truths and a Wish: Our Family's Communication

Instructions: Think about how your family communicates. Fill in the blanks below with two true statements about your family's communication and one wish you have for improving it.

My Family's Communication Truths:

  1. One true thing about how my family talks is...



  2. Another true thing about how my family communicates is...



My Wish for Family Communication:

  1. I wish our family would...






Share with a partner or small group, then with the class if you feel comfortable!

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lenny

Activity

Active Listening Obstacle Course

Objective: To practice active listening skills by guiding a blindfolded partner through a simple obstacle course using only verbal instructions.

Materials:

  • Blindfolds (scarves, bandanas)
  • Simple obstacles (cones, pillows, chairs, books, backpacks, hula hoops)
  • Open space (classroom, hallway, or gym)

Instructions:

  1. Form Pairs: Students will work in pairs. Designate one student as the "Guide" and the other as the "Listener."
  2. Set Up Obstacles: The teacher will set up a simple, safe obstacle course in the designated area. It should have 3-5 different obstacles.
  3. Blindfold the Listener: The Listener will put on a blindfold. The Guide will stand a few feet away.
  4. The Challenge: The Guide must verbally direct their blindfolded Listener through the obstacle course from start to finish without touching them. The Listener must rely solely on the Guide's clear instructions and their active listening skills.
  5. Role Reversal: After the first round, partners will switch roles. The new Guide will lead their Listener through the same or a slightly modified course.

Key Communication Skills to Focus On:

  • For the Guide (Clear Speaking):

    • Give clear, concise, and specific directions (e.g., "Take two small steps forward," "Lift your right leg over the pillow," "Turn slightly to your left").
    • Use a calm and encouraging tone.
    • Break down complex movements into smaller steps.
    • Wait for the Listener to complete one instruction before giving the next.

  • For the Listener (Active Listening):

    • Focus entirely on the Guide's voice.
    • Try to visualize the instructions.
    • Ask clarifying questions if unsure (e.g., "Did you say left or right?").
    • Provide verbal cues that you are listening and understanding (e.g., "Okay," "Got it").

Discussion Prompts After the Activity:

  • What made it easy or difficult to be the Guide? What did you learn about giving clear instructions?



  • What made it easy or difficult to be the Listener? What did you learn about truly listening?



  • How does this activity relate to how we communicate in our families?



  • What happens if the Guide isn't clear or the Listener isn't paying attention? How does that feel?



  • How can we use what we learned today to improve our communication at home?



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lenny

Discussion

Family Communication Charter Creation

Objective: To collaboratively create a set of agreed-upon guidelines for effective communication within families, based on the communication superpowers learned.

Materials:

  • Large chart paper or whiteboard
  • Markers

Instructions:

  1. Brainstorm "What Good Communication Looks Like":

    • As a class, revisit the Speaking and Listening Heroes Presentation and the Active Listening Obstacle Course activity.
    • Ask students: "What are the most important things we learned about speaking and listening today?"
    • Record their ideas on the chart paper under the heading: "Our Family Communication Superpowers." (Examples: Use 'I' statements, make eye contact, don't interrupt, speak calmly, listen to understand, ask clarifying questions, show empathy.)






  2. Drafting the Charter - "Rules for Our Family Talk":

    • Explain that a "charter" is like a set of rules or agreements that everyone in a group agrees to follow.
    • Guide students to turn their brainstormed "superpowers" into actionable rules or guidelines for family communication. Frame these as positive statements.
    • Examples:
      • Instead of: "Don't yell."
      • Try: "We will use calm voices when we talk."
      • Instead of: "Mom needs to listen."
      • Try: "We will practice active listening by making eye contact and not interrupting."
    • Record these rules on the chart paper under the heading: "Our Family Communication Charter."











  3. Commitment and Sharing:

    • Discuss the importance of everyone in the family agreeing to and trying their best to follow these rules.
    • Encourage students to take the ideas from the class charter home and work with their families to create their own "Family Communication Charter."
    • Optionally, have students sign or initial the class charter to show their commitment to these ideas.

Discussion Prompts:

  • Why is it important for everyone in a family to agree on how they will communicate?



  • What challenges might come up when trying to use these superpowers at home?



  • How can you remind each other to use your communication superpowers in a helpful way?



  • What will your family gain by having a communication charter?



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lenny