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Speak Up, Be Heard!

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Lesson Plan

Speak Up, Be Heard!

Students will understand the importance of self-advocacy and identify situations where they might need to speak up for themselves, particularly concerning reading challenges. They will learn basic communication strategies to express their needs clearly and respectfully.

Learning to advocate for oneself is a crucial life skill, especially for students navigating a transition program. This lesson helps students build confidence in communicating their needs, ensuring they receive the support necessary for academic success and personal growth.

Audience

9th Grade Students in a Transition Program

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, role-playing scenarios, and guided practice.

Materials


- Speak Up, Be Heard! Slides,
- Warm-Up: My Voice Matters,
- Speak Up Scenario Cards, and
- Cool-Down: One Small Step

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: My Voice Matters

5 minutes

  1. Begin the lesson with the Warm-Up: My Voice Matters activity.
    2. Display the prompt on the screen or read it aloud.
    3. Ask students to quickly write or verbally share one situation where their voice mattered or they wished it had.
    4. Briefly discuss a few student responses to set the stage for advocacy.

Step 2

Introduction to Self-Advocacy

7 minutes

  1. Present the Speak Up, Be Heard! Slides (Slides 1-3).
    2. Introduce the concept of self-advocacy: what it means, why it's important, and how it relates to their everyday lives, especially in school and with reading challenges.
    3. Use a clear, conversational tone to define key terms like 'needs,' 'rights,' and 'speaking up.'
    4. Facilitate a brief discussion using the questions on the slides.

Step 3

Scenario Practice: Speaking Up

12 minutes

  1. Divide students into small groups (2-3 students per group).
    2. Distribute the Speak Up Scenario Cards to each group.
    3. Explain that each card presents a situation where a student might need to advocate for themselves, with a focus on reading difficulties.
    4. Instruct groups to choose one scenario and discuss:
    - What is the problem?
    - What do you need?
    - How would you ask for it? (Focus on clear, respectful language.)
    5. Have a few groups share their chosen scenario and their advocacy strategy with the whole class. Provide constructive feedback and positive reinforcement.

Step 4

Wrap-Up and Empower

4 minutes

  1. Display Speak Up, Be Heard! Slides (Slide 4).
    2. Reiterate the main takeaways about the power of their voice and the importance of speaking up.
    3. Encourage students to think about one small step they can take to advocate for themselves this week.

Step 5

Cool-Down: One Small Step

2 minutes

  1. Conclude the lesson with the Cool-Down: One Small Step activity.
    2. Have students write down or think about one thing they learned about self-advocacy or one small step they will take to speak up for themselves in the future. Collect these as an exit ticket.
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Slide Deck

Speak Up, Be Heard!

Your voice matters!

Let's learn how to use it to get what you need to succeed.

Welcome students and set a positive tone. Explain that today's lesson is about finding their voice.

What is Self-Advocacy?

  • Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself and your needs.
  • It's about knowing what you need and asking for it in a clear, respectful way.
  • Why is it important? Because you are the expert on YOU!

Introduce the concept of self-advocacy. Ask students what they think it means. Connect it to situations where they might need help, especially with reading.

When Do You Need to Speak Up?

  • When a reading assignment is too difficult.
  • When you don't understand instructions.
  • When you need extra time on a test or project.
  • When you need a quiet place to work.
  • When you need help understanding a word or sentence.

Provide examples relevant to their experience, focusing on reading challenges. Encourage students to think about their own school experiences.

Your Voice Has Power!

Remember:

  • You have the right to ask for help.
  • Your teachers and support staff are there for you.
  • Practice makes perfect! Start with small steps.

Let's try it!

Summarize the key message and empower students to take action. Remind them that it's okay to ask for help.

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Warm Up

Warm-Up: My Voice Matters

Think about a time when you spoke up about something important to you, or a time you wish you had. It could be about school, a family matter, or something with friends.

What happened? How did it feel?





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Activity

Speak Up Scenario Cards

Instructions: In your groups, read each scenario. Choose one, then discuss:

  1. What is the problem in this situation?
  2. What do you need to ask for to solve the problem?
  3. How would you politely and clearly ask for it? (Think about what you would say!)

Scenario 1: The Fast Reader

Your teacher is reading a complex text aloud, and they are reading very quickly. You are having trouble following along and understanding the main ideas, but you don't want to interrupt.

Discuss:

  • What's the problem?
  • What do you need?
  • How will you ask for it?






Scenario 2: The Homework Helper

You have a reading assignment for homework that feels much harder than what you do in class. You tried to read it several times but you just can't understand it, and now you feel stuck and frustrated.

Discuss:

  • What's the problem?
  • What do you need?
  • How will you ask for it?






Scenario 3: The Group Project

Your group project requires a lot of reading from a textbook. You find it challenging to read and comprehend the material quickly, and you're worried you won't be able to contribute equally to your group.

Discuss:

  • What's the problem?
  • What do you need?
  • How will you ask for it?






Scenario 4: The Unclear Instructions

Your English teacher gave out instructions for a new independent reading project, but the directions were very long and had a lot of complex vocabulary. You're not sure where to start or what to do next.

Discuss:

  • What's the problem?
  • What do you need?
  • How will you ask for it?






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Cool Down

Cool-Down: One Small Step

What is one thing you learned today about speaking up for yourself?



What is one small step you will take this week to use your voice and advocate for your needs?



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Speak Up, Be Heard! • Lenny Learning