Lesson Plan
Speak Up! Own Your Success
Students will define self-advocacy, identify situations where it is needed, and practice assertive communication techniques to express their needs and boundaries effectively.
Effective self-advocacy empowers students to navigate academic, social, and professional challenges, leading to greater personal agency, improved relationships, and increased opportunities for success and well-being. This skill is vital for building confidence and independence.
Audience
High School Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Through discussion, interactive activities, and scenario practice.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Markers or Whiteboard, Self-Advocacy: Find Your Voice Slide Deck, Scenario Showdown Activity, and Reflection Discussion Prompts
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Self-Advocacy: Find Your Voice Slide Deck for content and transitions.
- Print or prepare to display the Scenario Showdown Activity.
- Review the Reflection Discussion Prompts to facilitate the closing discussion.
- Ensure projector/smartboard is functional and markers are available.
Step 1
Introduction: What is Self-Advocacy?
10 minutes
- Begin with a warm-up question: "When have you felt unheard or like you couldn't express what you really needed?" (2 min)
- Introduce the concept of self-advocacy using Self-Advocacy: Find Your Voice Slide Deck (Slides 1-3). (3 min)
- Define self-advocacy as communicating your needs, perspectives, and boundaries. Discuss why it's important in school, with friends, and in the future. (5 min)
Step 2
Understanding Assertive Communication
15 minutes
- Use Self-Advocacy: Find Your Voice Slide Deck (Slides 4-6) to explain the differences between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication. (5 min)
- Provide examples for each style. (5 min)
- Facilitate a brief class discussion on the benefits of assertive communication. (5 min)
Step 3
Scenario Showdown Activity
20 minutes
- Introduce the Scenario Showdown Activity. (2 min)
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students). (2 min)
- Each group will choose or be assigned a scenario and brainstorm an assertive self-advocacy response. (10 min)
- Have a few groups share their scenarios and responses with the class, discussing the effectiveness of their approach. (6 min)
Step 4
Reflection and Discussion
10 minutes
- Transition to a whole-class discussion using the Reflection Discussion Prompts. (2 min)
- Encourage students to share insights, challenges, and strategies they learned. (8 min)
Step 5
Wrap-Up: Your Voice Matters
5 minutes
- Reiterate the main takeaways from the Self-Advocacy: Find Your Voice Slide Deck (Slide 7). (2 min)
- Emphasize that practicing self-advocacy builds confidence and leads to greater success and well-being. (3 min)
- Encourage students to start identifying one small way they can practice self-advocacy in the coming week.
Slide Deck
Speak Up! Own Your Success
Finding Your Voice for a Brighter Future
Today, we'll learn how to effectively communicate your needs, perspectives, and boundaries.
Image: A microphone with diverse hands reaching towards it, or a person confidently speaking in a group.
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's main topic: self-advocacy. Emphasize that this is about finding their voice. Ask a warm-up question: "When have you felt unheard or like you couldn't express what you really needed?" Allow for a few quick shares or ask them to reflect silently.
What is Self-Advocacy?
Self-advocacy is effectively communicating your needs, perspectives, and boundaries.
It's about:
- Understanding your rights and responsibilities.
- Knowing what you need to succeed.
- Confidently expressing yourself to others.
Image: A thought bubble with different ideas (a question mark, a lightbulb, a speech bubble) coming from a person's head.
Define self-advocacy clearly. Explain that it's not about being pushy, but about understanding and communicating what you need to thrive. Give a simple, relatable example like asking a teacher for clarification.
Why Does Self-Advocacy Matter?
- In Academics: Asking for help, understanding assignments, requesting accommodations.
- In Social Situations: Setting boundaries with friends, expressing opinions respectfully.
- In Future Careers: Negotiating, presenting ideas, advocating for your professional growth.
- For Your Well-being: Protecting your mental and physical health.
Image: Icons representing school, friends, and a professional setting.
Discuss the various areas where self-advocacy is crucial. Engage students by asking where they think this skill would be most helpful in their lives right now.
Communication Styles: What's Yours?
How we express ourselves impacts how others respond.
1. Passive Communication
2. Aggressive Communication
3. Assertive Communication
Image: Three distinct facial expressions or body language depictions representing each style.
Introduce the three communication styles. Explain that we often use a mix, but the goal is assertive communication for self-advocacy. Ask students to think about which style they might lean towards in different situations.
Passive Communication
Passive Communication: You don't express your needs or feelings, often putting others first, even at your own expense.
Looks like: Avoiding eye contact, mumbling, agreeing to things you don't want to do, hoping others will guess your needs.
Outcome: Your needs aren't met, resentment builds, others might take advantage.
Example: "I guess whatever you want to do is fine, I don't really care..."
Elaborate on Passive Communication. Provide clear examples. Ask students if they can recall a time they were passive and what the outcome was.
Aggressive Communication
Aggressive Communication: You express your needs and feelings, but often in a way that disrespects or demeans others.
Looks like: Yelling, interrupting, blaming, demanding, using "you always" or "you never" statements.
Outcome: Others feel attacked, relationships are damaged, people become defensive or avoid you.
Example: "You always make me do things I hate! It's unfair!"
Explain Aggressive Communication. Highlight the difference between assertive and aggressive. Provide examples. Ask students about potential negative impacts of aggressive communication.
Assertive Communication: Your Power Voice
Assertive Communication: _You clearly and respectfully express your needs, feelings, and boundaries while also respecting others.
_
Looks like: Clear, calm voice, good eye contact, using "I" statements, offering solutions.
Outcome: Needs are more likely to be met, mutual respect is fostered, stronger relationships.
Example: "I understand you want to hang out, but I need to study tonight. How about we plan something for tomorrow?"
Focus on Assertive Communication as the ideal for self-advocacy. Explain the key components and provide examples. Emphasize that it's about being respectful while still standing firm.
Practice Time: Scenario Showdown!
It's time to put your assertive communication skills to the test!
Your Task:
- Work in small groups.
- Read your assigned scenario.
- Discuss and write down an assertive self-advocacy response.
- Be ready to share with the class!
Image: A group of students collaborating or speech bubbles with different ideas.
Introduce the activity. Explain the goal: to practice using assertive language in real-world scenarios. Briefly go over the instructions for group work.
Reflect & Grow: Your Voice Matters!
Let's discuss what we learned today.
- What was challenging about the scenarios?
- What strategies did you find most effective?
- How can you apply these skills in your daily life?
- What's one small step you can take this week to practice self-advocacy?
Image: A reflective image, perhaps a person looking at their reflection or a winding path.
Lead the class in a reflective discussion after the activity. Encourage open and honest sharing, focusing on what they learned and how they can apply it.
Empower Yourself: Speak Up!
Remember:
- Self-advocacy is a lifelong skill.
- Your needs are important.
- Assertive communication builds respect.
- Every time you speak up for yourself, you grow stronger.
Start today: Find one small way to advocate for yourself this week!
Image: A powerful, inspiring image of someone reaching for a goal or standing tall.
Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the main message: their voice is powerful. Encourage them to actively practice these skills for their own success and well-being.
Activity
Scenario Showdown: Practice Your Assertive Voice!
Instructions:
- Work in your small groups.
- Read each scenario carefully. Discuss how a person might respond passively, aggressively, and assertively.
- Choose two scenarios and collaboratively write an assertive self-advocacy response for each. Make sure your response clearly communicates your needs, perspectives, or boundaries while respecting others.
- Be prepared to share your responses and explain why you chose an assertive approach.
Scenarios:
Scenario 1: The Group Project Pressure
Your group for a major class project isn't pulling their weight. You've done most of the work so far, and the deadline is approaching. You're feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.
Your Assertive Response:
Scenario 2: Unfair Treatment
You believe you received an unfair grade on a recent assignment, but you're nervous about talking to your teacher. You have evidence to support your claim.
Your Assertive Response:
Scenario 3: The Persistent Peer
A friend keeps asking you to hang out when you have other commitments or simply need time for yourself. You value the friendship but feel pressured and need to set a boundary.
Your Assertive Response:
Scenario 4: A Challenging Class
You are struggling in a particular subject and need extra support, but you're embarrassed to ask for help from your teacher or a tutor.
Your Assertive Response:
Scenario 5: Future Plans Disagreement
Your parents or guardians have strong opinions about your future career or college choices, which conflict with your own aspirations. You want to express your feelings and plans respectfully.
Your Assertive Response:
Discussion
Reflection & Discussion: Your Voice Matters!
Now that you've had a chance to practice self-advocacy, let's reflect on what we've learned and how we can apply these skills in our lives.
Discussion Questions:
-
What was the most challenging part of developing an assertive response for your scenarios? Why?
-
What strategies did you find most effective in crafting your assertive responses? (e.g., using "I" statements, staying calm, proposing solutions)
-
Think about a real-life situation where you might have acted passively or aggressively. How could you reframe that situation using assertive self-advocacy?
-
What are some potential benefits you see from consistently practicing self-advocacy in your academic life? How about in your personal relationships?
-
What is one small, specific step you can commit to taking this week to practice self-advocacy?