Lesson Plan
Speak Up, Stand Out Lesson Plan
Students will identify personal needs in academic and social settings, learn key self-advocacy strategies, and practice expressing their needs clearly through guided reflection and role-play.
Empowering students with self-advocacy skills builds confidence, fosters independence, and equips them to communicate needs effectively in school and beyond, supporting long-term success.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, reflection, and role-play
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of each: Self-Reflection Worksheet and Role-Play Feedback Form
- Display or mount the Self-Advocacy Strategy Poster
- Cut apart the cards in the Scenario Card Set
- Review each material so you can guide discussions effectively
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome students and state today's objective: learning to advocate for personal needs
- Ask: "What does self-advocacy mean to you?" and record key ideas
- Reveal the Self-Advocacy Strategy Poster and briefly review strategies (e.g., use "I" statements, stay respectful, speak clearly)
Step 2
Self-Reflection
7 minutes
- Distribute the Self-Reflection Worksheet
- Students list recent situations where they needed to speak up and describe their approach
- Ask them to identify one area where they want to improve their self-advocacy skills
Step 3
Role-Playing
12 minutes
- Pair up students and have each draw a card from the Scenario Card Set
- Students take turns practicing expressing a need or preference using a chosen strategy
- Partners complete the Role-Play Feedback Form noting strengths and suggestions
Step 4
Group Debrief
6 minutes
- Reconvene the whole class and invite volunteers to share their role-play experiences
- Discuss which strategies felt most helpful and what challenges arose
- Brainstorm ways to apply these strategies in real-life school or social situations
Lesson Plan
Speak Up, Stand Out Lesson Plan
Students will identify personal needs in academic and social situations and practice clear self-advocacy through guided reflection and role-play.
Teaching self-advocacy builds students’ confidence, fosters independence, and equips them to communicate their needs effectively in school and beyond.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, reflection, and role-play
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of each: Self-Reflection Worksheet and Role-Play Feedback Form
- Display or mount the Self-Advocacy Strategy Poster
- Cut apart the cards in the Scenario Card Set
- Review each material so you can guide discussions effectively
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome students and state today’s objective: learning to advocate for personal needs
- Ask: “What does self-advocacy mean to you?” and record key ideas
- Reveal the Self-Advocacy Strategy Poster and briefly review strategies (e.g., use “I” statements, stay respectful, speak clearly)
Step 2
Self-Reflection
7 minutes
- Distribute the Self-Reflection Worksheet
- Students list recent situations where they needed to speak up and describe their approach
- Ask students to identify one area where they want to improve their self-advocacy skills
Step 3
Role-Playing
12 minutes
- Pair up students and have each draw a card from the Scenario Card Set
- Students take turns practicing expressing a need or preference using a chosen strategy from the poster
- Partners complete the Role-Play Feedback Form noting strengths and suggestions
Step 4
Group Debrief
6 minutes
- Reconvene the whole class and invite volunteers to share their role-play experiences
- Discuss which strategies felt most helpful and what challenges arose
- Brainstorm ways to apply these strategies in real-life school or social situations
Slide Deck
Speak Up, Stand Out
Self-Advocacy for 7th Graders
30-Minute Lesson
Welcome students to today’s lesson on self-advocacy. Introduce yourself and briefly explain the importance of speaking up for your own needs. State the lesson objective.
What Is Self-Advocacy?
• Definition: Speaking up for yourself and your needs
• Why it matters: Builds confidence and independence
Question: What examples can you think of when someone advocates for themselves?
Ask: “What does self-advocacy mean to you?” Record responses on the board. Emphasize that self-advocacy is about understanding and communicating your needs.
Key Self-Advocacy Strategies
- Use "I" statements (e.g., "I need more time.")
- Stay respectful and calm
- Speak clearly and at a good volume
- Listen and ask questions if unclear
Reveal or point to the Self-Advocacy Strategy Poster. Briefly explain each strategy and give a quick example.
Self-Reflection Activity
• Take out your Self-Reflection Worksheet
• List 2–3 situations where you needed to speak up
• Describe how you approached each situation
• Identify one area to improve your self-advocacy
Distribute the Self-Reflection Worksheet. Give students 7 minutes to complete the prompts. Circulate and offer support.
Role-Playing Activity
- Pair up and draw one scenario card
- Practice expressing a need using a strategy from the poster
- Switch roles and repeat
- Give feedback using the Role-Play Feedback Form
Explain the role-playing process. Pair students, hand out the Scenario Card Set and Role-Play Feedback Form. Monitor time and encourage positive feedback.
Group Debrief
• Who would like to share their experience?
• Which strategy felt most natural?
• What challenges did you face?
• How can you use these strategies in real situations?
Bring the class back together. Invite volunteers to share reflections. Use guiding questions to deepen the discussion.
Next Steps
• Practice these strategies daily in class and social settings
• Reflect on your experiences this week
• Keep your Self-Reflection Worksheet for review
• Remember: Your voice matters!
Summarize the key takeaways. Encourage ongoing practice and reflection. Remind students to use ‘I’ statements and the poster strategies.
Worksheet
Self-Reflection Worksheet
Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________
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Describe a recent situation where you needed to speak up for yourself. Include who was involved, what you wanted, what you said, and the outcome.
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Which strategy from the Self-Advocacy Strategy Poster did you use (for example, using “I” statements, staying respectful, speaking clearly)? How did that strategy help or not help in this situation?
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Reflect on your feelings before, during, and after you spoke up. What emotions did you experience?
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Think of a time when you hesitated to advocate for yourself. What stopped you from speaking up? If you could revisit that moment, how would you handle it differently?
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Set a personal self-advocacy goal for the next week. Be specific: What situation will you practice in, which strategy will you use, and how will you know you succeeded?
Keep this worksheet and review your reflections after a week to track your progress!
Activity
Scenario Card Set
Use these scenario cards during the role-playing activity. Students draw one card, read the scenario aloud, and practice advocating for themselves using a chosen strategy from the Self-Advocacy Strategy Poster.
Cards:
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Clarify Homework Instructions
"You didn’t understand part of a homework assignment and need extra explanation. Ask your teacher politely to clarify what you need to do."
-
Group Project Fairness
"In a group project, one teammate isn’t contributing their share. Tell them you need their help to finish on time and suggest how to divide tasks."
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Cafeteria Mix-Up
"You received the wrong lunch in the cafeteria. Approach the staff member and ask if you can get the meal you ordered."
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Extra Time on Assignment
"You have a reading difficulty and need more time to complete an in-class worksheet. Ask your teacher for an extension or support."
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Interrupting Friend
"A friend keeps interrupting you during conversations. Tell them how it makes you feel and ask if they can let you finish your thoughts."
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Seat Change Request
"You feel uncomfortable sitting next to a classmate. Ask your teacher if you can switch seats for better focus."
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Presentation Jitters
"You’re nervous about presenting first in front of the class. Ask your teacher if you can go later to give you time to prepare."
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Noisy Study Hall
"The study hall is too loud for you to concentrate. Ask the supervisor if there’s a quieter spot or if you can use headphones."
Worksheet
Role-Play Feedback Form
Your Name: _________________________ Partner’s Name: _________________________
Scenario Practiced: ____________________________________________
Strategy Used (from the Self-Advocacy Strategy Poster): ____________________________________________
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What did your partner do well? Describe specific actions or phrases that were effective.
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How clearly did they express their need or preference? Circle one and explain your choice.
1 2 3 4 5 (1 = Not clear, 5 = Very clear)
Explain:
-
Did they use an “I” statement? How did it affect the conversation?
-
Was their tone respectful and calm? Provide an example of what you heard or saw.
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Suggestions for Improvement: What one thing could they work on to become a more confident self-advocate?
-
Next Strategy to Try: Which strategy from the poster would you recommend they practice next time? Why?
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback!
Reading
Self-Advocacy Strategy Poster
Empower yourself by using these simple strategies whenever you need to speak up. Your voice matters!
🗣️ Use “I” Statements
- Start with “I feel…,” “I need…,” or “I would like…”
- Focus on your own thoughts and feelings rather than blaming others
- Example: “I’m confused about the homework instructions. Could you please explain?”
🤝 Stay Respectful and Calm
- Keep your tone polite and even
- Show that you value the other person’s perspective
- Take a deep breath if you start to feel frustrated
- Example: “I understand you’re busy, but I need a little more time on this assignment.”
🔊 Speak Clearly and at a Good Volume
- Articulate your words and speak at a level everyone can hear
- Pause between key points to let your message sink in
- Maintain eye contact if comfortable
- Example: “Could we meet after class to go over the instructions?”
❓ Listen and Ask Questions
- Pay attention to the other person’s response
- Clarify anything you don’t understand by asking follow-up questions
- Show you’re open to feedback and willing to work together
- Example: “What do you think would help me complete this on time?”
Remember: Practicing these strategies in everyday situations—class discussions, group work, cafeteria lines—will help build your confidence and make your voice heard.
Your needs are important. Speak up, stand out!