Lesson Plan
Speak Up! Lesson Plan
Students will develop active listening, clear expression, and nonverbal awareness through interactive exercises, enabling confident communication in academic and personal contexts.
Effective communication fosters collaboration, enhances learning, and builds strong relationships. By mastering listening, expression, and body language, students will improve class participation and real-world interactions.
Audience
9th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive activities, pair exercises, and guided reflection.
Materials
- Communication Skills Slide Deck, - Active Listening Scenarios Handout, - Expression Practice Worksheet, - Nonverbal Awareness Cards, - Timer (classroom timer or smartphone), and - Whiteboard and markers
Prep
Prepare Materials and Classroom
10 minutes
- Print copies of Active Listening Scenarios Handout
- Print copies of Expression Practice Worksheet
- Print or prepare Nonverbal Awareness Cards
- Load Communication Skills Slide Deck on classroom computer or projector
- Arrange seating for quick pair work
- Ensure whiteboard and markers are available
- Have timer ready for timed activities
Step 1
Introduction & Objective
5 minutes
- Greet students and briefly discuss why communication matters
- Display opening slide from Communication Skills Slide Deck
- Review lesson objectives: active listening, clear expression, nonverbal awareness
- Explain session flow and expectations
Step 2
Active Listening Exercise
10 minutes
- Pair students and distribute Active Listening Scenarios Handout
- In each pair, Student A reads a scenario while Student B listens without interrupting
- Listener paraphrases what they heard; speaker gives feedback on accuracy
- Rotate roles and repeat with a second scenario
- Debrief: ask volunteers how paraphrasing helped them understand better
Step 3
Clear Expression Practice
8 minutes
- Keep pairs; distribute the Expression Practice Worksheet
- Students choose prompts and craft clear, concise messages (e.g., giving directions, stating opinions)
- Partners read messages and identify if any part is unclear
- Encourage revision for clarity and brevity
- Share one strong example with the class
Step 4
Nonverbal Awareness Activity
5 minutes
- Form new pairs; give each a Nonverbal Awareness Cards stack
- One student silently acts out the emotion or intent on the card
- Partner guesses meaning based on body language and tone
- Switch roles after each card
- Highlight how gestures, posture, and facial expressions convey information
Step 5
Reflection & Debrief
2 minutes
- Facilitate quick round: What skill felt most challenging? What will you focus on next time?
- Summarize key takeaways and encourage practice outside class
- Close with one final slide from Communication Skills Slide Deck reinforcing confidence in communication
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Slide Deck
Speak Up! Communication Skills
A 30-minute interactive lesson for 9th graders
• Active Listening
• Clear Expression
• Nonverbal Awareness
Let’s learn how to communicate confidently!
Welcome students to the session. Introduce yourself and briefly explain that today’s focus is on three essential communication skills. Encourage energy and participation.
Session Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Practice active listening techniques
- Craft and deliver clear, concise messages
- Recognize and use nonverbal cues effectively
Read each objective aloud. Emphasize why each skill matters in academic and personal contexts.
Active Listening
• Focus fully on the speaker
• Observe nonverbal cues (eye contact, nods)
• Paraphrase what you heard
• Ask clarifying questions
Define active listening. Explain the role-play format: one reads, one listens, then paraphrases. Highlight eye contact, nodding, and asking clarifying questions.
Clear Expression
• Think before you speak
• Use simple, precise language
• Organize ideas logically
• Check for understanding
Discuss clarity in everyday scenarios (giving directions, sharing opinions). Stress using specific words and a calm tone. Invite an example from a volunteer.
Nonverbal Awareness
• Maintain open posture
• Mirror appropriate gestures
• Watch tone of voice and facial expressions
• Be mindful of personal space
Show how posture, gestures, and facial expressions convey messages. Demonstrate two contrasting examples (e.g., crossed arms vs. open stance).
Activity: Active Listening
- Pair up and get the Active Listening Scenarios Handout
- Student A reads a scenario; Student B listens quietly
- Listener paraphrases; Speaker gives feedback
- Switch roles and repeat
- Debrief as a class
Explain the Active Listening Exercise step by step. Assign pairs, distribute the handout, set a timer for 5 minutes each round, then debrief.
Activities: Expression & Nonverbal
Clear Expression (8 min):
• Use the Expression Practice Worksheet
• Write and revise messages with a partner
Nonverbal Awareness (5 min):
• Grab a set of Nonverbal Awareness Cards
• Act silently; partner guesses the intent
Guide students through both Clear Expression and Nonverbal activities. Ensure timing: 8 minutes for expression, 5 minutes for nonverbal. Circulate to support.
Reflection & Debrief
• Which skill was most challenging today?
• How will you practice outside of class?
• One takeaway you’ll use tomorrow
Pose the reflection prompts verbally and invite a few responses. Reinforce that practice builds skill over time.
You’ve Got This!
Communication is a skill you can improve with practice.
Keep listening actively, speaking clearly, and watching your body language.
Let’s keep speaking up!
Thank students for their participation. Encourage them to apply these skills in class discussions, group work, and everyday conversations.
Worksheet
Active Listening Scenarios Handout
Instructions: Read each scenario carefully. Then, in your own words, paraphrase what the speaker said.
Scenario 1
“I'm really excited about this Saturday—I found out there's a new art fair downtown. They have live painting demos, food stalls, and even a mini concert in the evening. I’m planning to go around noon and stay until it ends at 6 p.m.”
Your paraphrase:
Scenario 2
“Don’t forget, before you go to bed tonight, I need you to take out the trash, wipe down the kitchen counters, and set the dishwasher. Also, if you have time, please fold the laundry from yesterday.”
Your paraphrase:
Scenario 3
“For tomorrow’s class, please read chapters 4 and 5 of the history textbook. Take notes on the key events, date ranges, and any cause-and-effect relationships you notice. We’ll discuss them first thing in the morning.”
Your paraphrase:
Scenario 4
“I’ve been feeling really anxious about the science test next week. I understand the concepts, but every time I review, I blank out and worry I’ll forget everything during the exam.”
Your paraphrase:
Scenario 5 (Challenge)
“My grandmother taught me how to bake cookies last summer. She’s very patient and explained every step, from measuring the ingredients precisely to watching the dough chill in the fridge. We had so much fun trying different flavors.”
Your paraphrase:
Worksheet
Expression Practice Worksheet
Instructions: Choose any three of the prompts below. For each prompt:
- Write your initial message in the space provided.
- Revise your message to make it clearer, more concise, and well-organized.
1. Giving Directions
You need to tell a classmate how to find the school library from the front entrance.
Your initial message:
Your revised message:
2. Making a Request
You want to ask your teacher for an extension on the homework deadline.
Your initial message:
Your revised message:
3. Stating an Opinion
You need to share your view on whether smartphones should be allowed in class.
Your initial message:
Your revised message:
4. Offering Feedback/Compliment
You want to compliment a friend on their presentation and give one suggestion for improvement.
Your initial message:
Your revised message:
5. Sharing Information
You need to announce a change in the due date for the biology project to your group.
Your initial message:
Your revised message:
Reflection:
What was the biggest change you made when revising?
Partner Share:
Choose one of your revised messages to read aloud to your partner. Discuss what makes it clear and any further tweaks you could make.
Activity
Nonverbal Awareness Cards
Instructions: Print and cut out these cards. In each round, one student silently acts out the emotion or intent on their card using only facial expressions, gestures, and posture. Their partner guesses what’s being communicated. Then switch roles.
- Excited
- Nervous
- Proud
- Confused
- Bored
- Frustrated
- Curious
- Polite
- Angry
- Surprised
- Tired
- Encouraging
Warm Up
Intro Discussion
Purpose
Activate prior knowledge and get students thinking about why communication skills matter.
Instructions
1. Individual Brainstorm (2 minutes)
On your own, respond to the prompts below. Use the space to jot down your ideas.
-
What does "communication" mean to you?
Your response:
-
Think of a time when communication went really well or really poorly. Briefly describe what happened.
Your response:
2. Pair Share (2 minutes)
Turn to a partner and share one thing from your brainstorm. Ask:
- Why did that example stand out?
- What made the communication effective or ineffective?
3. Whole-Class Debrief (1 minute)
Volunteers share highlights from their discussion. Teacher records key ideas on the whiteboard:
- Definitions of communication
- Factors that help or hinder communication
Transition: Today we’ll build on these ideas by practicing active listening, clear expression, and nonverbal awareness.
Cool Down
Exit Ticket
Please answer the questions below to wrap up today’s session:
-
Which communication skill (active listening, clear expression, or nonverbal awareness) will you practice most? Why?
-
What is one key thing you learned today?
-
How confident do you feel applying this skill? (Circle one)
- Not confident
- Somewhat confident
- Very confident
- Do you have any questions or feedback for next time?