Lesson Plan
Speak Up, Calm Down Lesson Plan
Students will learn to articulate their needs and regulate emotions, using role-play and reflective activities.
Developing self-advocacy and self-regulation fosters personal growth, academic success, and effective communication skills.
Audience
3rd Grade Elementary School Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Mix of discussion, role-playing, and reflection.
Materials
Prep
Preparation and Review
5 minutes
- Review the Speak Up, Calm Down Lesson Plan to familiarize yourself with the materials and activities.
- Prepare role-play scenarios that illustrate common situations requiring self-advocacy and self-regulation.
- Gather any supplementary materials needed for interactive discussions.
Step 1
Introduction and Discussion
10 minutes
- Begin with a group discussion on what self-advocacy and self-regulation mean.
- Ask students to share simple examples of times they had to speak up or manage their feelings.
- Use guiding questions to ensure understanding and participation.
Step 2
Role-Playing Activity
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups and assign role-play scenarios.
- Have each group act out a situation where they need to express their needs and manage emotions.
- Encourage observational feedback from peers to reinforce learning.
Step 3
Reflection and Wrap-Up
5 minutes
- Gather the class together to reflect on the activities.
- Ask students what strategies helped them feel calm and effective.
- Summarize key takeaways and reaffirm skills learned during the session.
Slide Deck
Speak Up, Calm Down
Welcome! Today we will learn about self-advocacy and self-regulation.
- What does it mean to speak up?
- How do we calm down when we are upset?
Introduce the lesson by welcoming the students and giving an overview of what they will be learning. Mention that today's session will focus on understanding self-advocacy (speaking up) and self-regulation (calming down).
Understanding Our Feelings
Self-advocacy means expressing our needs.
Self-regulation means managing our emotions.
Think of a time you felt upset. How did you handle it?
Discuss the concepts of self-advocacy and self-regulation. Use simple language and examples to connect with the experiences of the children. Encourage brief sharing from students.
Let's Practice: Role-Playing
- Get into small groups.
- Each group will act out a scenario where you need to speak up or calm down.
- Watch your friends in action and share what you noticed.
Explain the role-playing activity. Remind students how role-playing helps us practice expressing our feelings and regulating emotions. Describe the process and directions clearly.
Reflection & Wrap-Up
What did we learn today?
- The importance of expressing our needs.
- Strategies to manage our emotions.
Share one thing you liked about today's session.
Conclude by summarizing the lesson and inviting reflections. Ask questions about what strategies were used and what worked for them. Reinforce the idea that everyone can learn to both speak up and calm down.
Activity
Role-Playing Scenarios for Speak Up, Calm Down
This activity is designed to help you practice self-advocacy and self-regulation in a fun, interactive way. Through role-playing, you can learn to express your needs and manage your feelings in everyday situations. Read the scenarios below, choose one with your group, and take turns acting out the situation. Then, discuss with your classmates what strategies helped you speak up or calm down.
Guidelines for the Activity
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Form Small Groups: Divide into small groups of 3-4 students.
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Scenario Selection: Each group will choose one scenario from the list below or create a similar scenario with teacher guidance.
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Role Assignment: Assign roles within your group. For example, one student can be the person needing help, another the teacher or friend listening, and so on.
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Act It Out: Spend a few minutes acting out the scenario. Make sure to use clear, calm language and actions that show your feelings and ways to manage them.
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Class Discussion: After each role-play, discuss as a class:
- What did you say to express your needs?
- How did you feel, and what did you do to manage your emotions?
- What strategies worked well during the role-play?
Role-Playing Scenarios
Scenario 1: The Group Project Challenge
Imagine you are working on a group project and one member keeps interrupting or taking over. How would you speak up and ask for a fair chance to contribute? How can you stay calm if you feel frustrated?
Scenario 2: The Playground Disagreement
You and a friend disagree on how to play a game during recess. Role-play how you could express your ideas and feelings, listen to your friend, and come to a solution together.
Scenario 3: The Classroom Snack Request
You feel really hungry during class, but it's not snack time yet. Role-play how you can ask politely for your teacher’s help or suggest a plan to get a quick, healthy snack if possible, while still being respectful of class rules.
Scenario 4: The New Student
A new student joins your class and seems nervous because they don’t know anyone. Role-play a scenario where you welcome them and help them feel included, while also expressing your own needs to communicate and bond as a group.
Reflection Questions
After the role-playing, answer these questions as a class discussion or write them down:
- What did you learn about speaking up when you need help?
- What techniques helped you calm down during the role-play?
- How can these strategies be used in everyday situations both inside and outside of school?
Enjoy the activity and remember, practicing these skills will help you become a stronger, more confident communicator!
Activity
Heart Rate Exploration Activity
This activity will help you understand how exercise affects your heart rate. You will learn how to measure your heart rate before and after a simple exercise routine to see how your body responds to physical activity.
Instructions
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Preparation:
- Sit quietly and take a few deep breaths to relax.
- Find your pulse on your wrist or neck using your index and middle fingers.
- Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get your heart rate per minute. Write down this number.
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Exercise Routine:
- Stand up and engage in a light exercise such as brisk walking in place, jumping jacks, or dancing for 2 minutes.
- Make sure to keep moving and have fun!
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Post-Exercise Heart Rate:
- Immediately after the exercise, sit down again and try to find your pulse.
- Count the beats in 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get your new heart rate per minute. Record this number.
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Class Discussion and Reflection:
- Compare your heart rate before and after the exercise.
- Discuss with your classmates how exercise affected your heart rate. What differences did you notice?
- Why do you think your heart rate increased after exercise?
Follow-Up Questions
- How does your body change when you exercise? What other changes do you think occur?
- Why is it important to know how your heart works?
Enjoy exploring your heart rate and learning about how exercise boosts your body's energy!