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Hear Me Out: Self-Advocacy Power!

Lesson Plan

Hear Me Out: Self-Advocacy Power!

Students will be able to identify situations requiring self-advocacy regarding their hearing aids and apply effective communication strategies to advocate for their needs.

Empowering students to advocate for their hearing needs fosters independence, improves academic access, and builds confidence in navigating social and academic environments. This skill is crucial for success both in and out of the classroom.

Audience

Middle School Students (Grades 6-8)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, role-playing, and guided practice.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Markers/Whiteboard, Hear Me Out: Self-Advocacy Power! Slide Deck, Self-Advocacy Scenario Cards, and Self-Advocacy Power Up! Worksheet

Prep

Preparation Steps

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What's Your Superpower?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "What does it mean to advocate for yourself?" Allow for a few student responses.
  • Introduce the concept of self-advocacy as a superpower, especially for students with hearing aids.
  • Display Slide 1: "What's Your Superpower?" from the Hear Me Out: Self-Advocacy Power! Slide Deck.

Step 2

Understanding Self-Advocacy for Hearing Aid Users

8 minutes

  • Transition to explaining why self-advocacy is vital for hearing aid users in school.
  • Discuss common situations where self-advocacy is needed (e.g., noisy classrooms, needing repetition, technical issues).
  • Display Slides 2-4 from the Hear Me Out: Self-Advocacy Power! Slide Deck, guiding students through key vocabulary and phrases they can use.
  • Encourage students to share any personal experiences (optional).

Step 3

Role-Playing Scenarios: Practice Your Power!

10 minutes

  • Explain that practice makes perfect. Students will now role-play different scenarios.
  • Divide students into small groups (2-3 students).
  • Distribute the Self-Advocacy Scenario Cards to each group.
  • Instruct groups to choose a card and role-play the scenario, practicing the phrases and strategies discussed.
  • Circulate among groups, providing feedback and support.
  • After a few minutes, bring the class back together and ask a few groups to share their role-plays or key takeaways.

Step 4

Cool-Down: Self-Advocacy Power Up!

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Self-Advocacy Power Up! Worksheet.
  • Ask students to complete the worksheet, reflecting on what they learned and how they will apply it.
  • Collect the worksheets as an exit ticket.
  • Reinforce that self-advocacy is an ongoing skill and encourage them to use their newfound powers!
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Slide Deck

What's Your Superpower?

You have a voice! Let's learn how to use it to get what you need.

  • What does 'advocate' mean?
  • Why is it important to speak up for yourself?

Welcome students and introduce the concept of self-advocacy. Ask them what they think it means to advocate for themselves. Connect it to having a 'superpower' to get what they need.

Why Self-Advocacy for Hearing Aids?

Your hearing aids help you hear, but sometimes you need extra support!

  • Noisy classrooms
  • Missing instructions
  • Equipment issues
  • Understanding others

Explain why self-advocacy is especially important for hearing aid users. Discuss common challenges they might face in school due to their hearing aids.

Key Phrases: Speaking Up!

Here are some ways to tell others what you need:

  • "Could you please face me when you're speaking?"
  • "I didn't quite catch that, could you repeat it?"
  • "My hearing aid is acting up, can I move closer?"
  • "Could you please speak a little louder/slower?"

Introduce specific phrases students can use. Emphasize clear and concise language. Encourage them to think about who they would say these to (teacher, friend, etc.).

Self-Advocacy Strategies

It's not just what you say, but how you act!

  • Be Specific: Instead of 'I can't hear,' try 'I need you to speak louder.'
  • Choose Your Moment: Find a good time to talk to your teacher.
  • Eye Contact: Look at the person speaking to help with lip-reading.
  • Check-In: Make sure you understood correctly ('So, the homework is page 5, numbers 1-10?').

Discuss strategies for different situations, beyond just verbal requests. Highlight the importance of being specific about their needs.

You've Got This!

Self-advocacy is a skill that gets stronger with practice.

  • Be confident!
  • Your needs are important.
  • You are empowered to make your learning successful.

Conclude with a summary of the importance of self-advocacy and encourage students to practice these skills daily.

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Activity

Self-Advocacy Scenario Cards

Instructions: In your groups, pick a card and role-play the scenario. Practice using clear and specific language to advocate for your needs as a hearing aid user. Remember the key phrases and strategies we discussed!

Scenario 1: Noisy Classroom

The teacher is giving important instructions, but there's a lot of background noise in the classroom (students whispering, chairs scraping). You're struggling to hear the instructions.

What do you say or do?







Scenario 2: Group Project Confusion

You're working on a group project, and your group members are talking quickly and sometimes turning away from you. You've missed a few key details about your part of the project.

What do you say or do?







Scenario 3: Lunchroom Chatter

You're sitting with friends at lunch, and everyone is talking over each other. You feel left out because you can't follow the conversation.

What do you say or do?







Scenario 4: Teacher Facing Whiteboard

Your teacher is explaining a math problem on the whiteboard. They are facing the board and speaking softly, and you can't hear what they're saying.

What do you say or do?







Scenario 5: Hearing Aid Malfunction

During an important test, your hearing aid suddenly starts making a buzzing sound, making it difficult to concentrate and hear.

What do you say or do?







Scenario 6: Friend Whispering

A friend is trying to tell you a secret or a funny story by whispering, but you can't understand them at all.

What do you say or do?







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Worksheet

Self-Advocacy Power Up! Worksheet

Name: ____________________________

Part 1: Reflect and Connect

  1. Think about today's lesson. What is ONE new thing you learned about self-advocacy for hearing aid users?


  2. Why do you think it's important for you to advocate for yourself in school?


Part 2: Your Superpower Phrases

  1. Write down two phrases you can use if you can't hear your teacher in a noisy classroom.





    a. Phrase 1:



    b. Phrase 2:


  2. Imagine your hearing aid isn't working properly during class. What is one specific thing you could say to your teacher or a trusted adult?




Part 3: Future Focus

  1. What is one situation where you feel you need to practice your self-advocacy skills more? (e.g., in a specific class, with certain friends, during a club meeting)




  2. How will you remember to use your self-advocacy superpower in the future?




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