Self-Advocacy: Own Your Learning Journey - Teacher Script

Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

(Teacher): "Good morning/afternoon everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super important that can help you not just in school, but in all parts of your life: self-advocacy. Has anyone heard that term before? Don't worry if not, we're going to learn all about it.

Let's start with a warm-up. Take a look at the slide: Our Voice, Our Power Slide Deck - Slide 1.

(Teacher): "Think about a time you spoke up for something important to you. It could be asking for help, explaining your feelings, or even just telling someone what you needed. What happened? How did it feel? Take a moment to think, and then I'd love for a few of you to share with the class. There are no right or wrong answers here, just your experiences."

(Allow 2-3 students to share. Validate their experiences and thank them for sharing.)

What is Self-Advocacy? (10 minutes)

(Teacher): "Great job sharing, everyone. What you just did, in many cases, was practice self-advocacy! Let's define what that really means. Look at Our Voice, Our Power Slide Deck - Slide 2.

(Teacher): "Self-advocacy means three key things:

• Knowing Yourself: This means understanding your own strengths. What are you good at? What comes easily to you? It also means understanding your challenges. What things are tough for you? What kind of help do you need to succeed? Maybe you learn better by listening, or maybe you need to see things written down.

• Knowing Your Rights: As students, you have rights! This includes the right to a good education and the right to ask for support when you need it.

• Speaking Up: This is about respectfully and clearly communicating your needs, your strengths, and your rights to others. It's not about being demanding, but about being clear and confident.

(Teacher): "In simple terms, self-advocacy is about owning your learning journey. It means you're actively involved in making sure you get what you need to learn and grow. Why do you think this skill is so important for you right now, in 7th grade, and for your future?"

(Facilitate a short discussion, encouraging students to explain why it's important to speak up for themselves.)

Self-Advocacy in Action (Slide 3 & Discussion) (10 minutes)

(Teacher): "Let's look at some examples of self-advocacy in action. Turn your attention to Our Voice, Our Power Slide Deck - Slide 3.

(Teacher): "As you can see, self-advocacy can look like many things:

• Asking a teacher for clarification on an assignment if you don't understand the instructions.
• If you have an accommodation, requesting extra time for a test or a quiet place to work.
• Explaining to a group member how you best contribute to a project.
• Telling an adult you trust that you feel overwhelmed by too much homework.
• Talking to a counselor about a struggle you're having, whether it's academic or personal.

(Teacher): "Can anyone think of another example of when a student might need to self-advocate?"

(Allow a few students to share their ideas, guiding them if needed.)

Practice Time! (Activity) (10 minutes)

(Teacher): "Now it's your turn to put on your self-advocacy hats! I'm going to hand out the Self-Advocacy Scenarios Activity. On Our Voice, Our Power Slide Deck - Slide 4, you'll see the instructions. You'll read a few different scenarios, and for each one, think about how you would speak up for yourself. What would you say or do? You can work on this individually or with a partner sitting next to you."

(Distribute the activity. Circulate around the room, offering support and answering questions. After about 7 minutes, bring the class back together.)

(Teacher): "Let's quickly discuss one or two of these scenarios. Who would like to share how they would self-advocate in scenario #1? What about scenario #3?"

(Facilitate a brief discussion, highlighting different effective self-advocacy strategies.)

Cool Down & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

(Teacher): "Excellent work today, everyone. To wrap up, I have one last quick check for you. On Our Voice, Our Power Slide Deck - Slide 5, you'll see the prompt. On the Quick Check: Self-Advocacy Cool Down paper I'm about to give you, I want you to write down one new thing you learned about self-advocacy today OR one way you plan to use self-advocacy this week. This will serve as your exit ticket."

(Distribute the cool-down slips. Collect them as students finish and are dismissed.)

(Teacher): "Remember, your voice is powerful! Keep practicing self-advocacy, and you'll be well on your way to owning your learning journey. Great job today!"

Warm-Up: Speak Up!

Think about a time you spoke up for something important to you. It could be asking for help, explaining your feelings, or just telling someone what you needed.

• What happened?
• How did it feel?

Self-Advocacy Scenarios

Instructions: Read each scenario below. In the space provided, write down how you would self-advocate in that situation. Think about what you would say, what you would do, and who you might talk to.

Scenario 1: The Confusing Homework

You are working on a math assignment and you don't understand the instructions for one of the problems. You've reread them a few times, but it's still not clicking. The teacher is busy helping another student across the room.

How would you self-advocate?

Scenario 2: Group Project Trouble

You are working on a group project, and one of your group members is not doing their part. You're worried your group's grade will suffer because of it.

How would you self-advocate?

Scenario 3: Feeling Overwhelmed

You have three tests next week, a big project due, and you feel really stressed and overwhelmed. You're starting to feel like you can't keep up.

How would you self-advocate?

Scenario 4: Needing a Break

You've been working on a challenging assignment for a long time in class, and you feel your concentration slipping. You know a short brain break would help you refocus, but everyone else is still working quietly.

How would you self-advocate?

Quick Check: Self-Advocacy

Instructions: On the lines below, write down one new thing you learned about self-advocacy today OR one way you plan to use self-advocacy this week.