lenny

Speak Up, Stand Out

user image

Lesson Plan

Self-Advocacy Lesson Plan

Student will learn and apply self-advocacy strategies to navigate peer challenges by practicing “I” statements and creating a personalized action plan.

This lesson helps the student build confidence and respectful communication skills to assert their needs, reducing stress and improving peer interactions.

Audience

10th Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction, role-play, and action planning.

Materials

Self-Advocacy Strategies Handout, - I-Statement Practice Worksheet, and - Peer Challenge Action Plan Template

Prep

Prepare Lesson Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

  • Greet the student and explain the session’s purpose.
  • Ask the student to share a recent peer interaction challenge briefly.

Step 2

Teach Self-Advocacy Strategies

4 minutes

Step 3

Practice I-Statements

5 minutes

  • Provide the I-Statement Practice Worksheet.
  • Model an example: “I feel overwhelmed when…”.
  • Student writes two I-statements addressing past peer scenarios.
  • Offer feedback and help refine each statement.

Step 4

Develop Action Plan

4 minutes

  • Distribute the Peer Challenge Action Plan Template.
  • Guide the student to pick one upcoming challenge and outline:
    • Situation description
    • Desired outcome
    • I-statement to use
    • Next steps if the conversation becomes difficult
  • Confirm the plan is realistic and encourage reflection.
lenny

Slide Deck

Speak Up, Stand Out

Empowering you to advocate for your needs and navigate peer challenges with confidence.

Welcome the student and introduce today’s focus. Explain that by the end of this session they’ll have tools to speak up for themselves in peer situations.

Session Objective

• Learn what self-advocacy means
• Review key strategies for respectful communication
• Practice “I” statements
• Create an action plan for an upcoming peer scenario

Point out the objective so the student knows what to expect and why it matters.

What Is Self-Advocacy?

Self-advocacy means:
• Understanding your needs and rights
• Clearly communicating what you need
• Respectfully asking for help or setting boundaries

Define self-advocacy in student-friendly terms. Ask for examples of when they felt they couldn’t speak up.

Key Self-Advocacy Strategies

Refer to Self-Advocacy Strategies Handout:
• Use clear “I” statements
• Set and communicate boundaries
• Ask questions to clarify expectations
• Seek support from trusted peers or adults

Show the handout. Briefly walk through each strategy, then ask which feels most helpful.

Practice “I” Statements

Use the I-Statement Practice Worksheet:

  1. Choose a past peer scenario
  2. Write an “I feel…” statement
  3. Include what you need or want to happen
  4. Refine with feedback

Provide the worksheet. Model one I-statement example, then guide the student through writing theirs.

Develop Your Action Plan

Work on the Peer Challenge Action Plan Template:
• Situation description
• Desired outcome
• Your “I” statement
• Next steps if it gets hard

Distribute the action-plan template. Help the student pick a real upcoming challenge and fill out each section.

Next Steps & Reflection

• Review your action plan regularly
• Practice your I-statements out loud
• Reflect after the conversation: What went well? What will you adjust?

Wrap up by reviewing the plan and encouraging the student to try it in real life. Ask how they’ll feel using these tools.

lenny

Worksheet

I-Statement Practice Worksheet

Use “I” statements to communicate your feelings and needs clearly. Follow the steps below for two past peer scenarios.

Situation 1

  1. Describe the peer interaction you want to address (e.g., what happened, who was involved):











  1. Draft your first “I” statement for this situation (include how you feel and what you need):






  1. Review your draft:
    • Does it start with “I feel” or “I felt”?
    • Does it describe the feeling, the situation, and the need or request?
    • Is your tone respectful and clear?
      List any edits or notes below:






  1. Write your refined “I” statement here:





Situation 2

Repeat the same steps for a different scenario.

  1. Describe the peer interaction:











  1. Draft your first “I” statement:






  1. Notes and edits:






  1. Refined “I” statement:





Extra Reflection

What differences do you notice between your first and refined statements?






lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Peer Challenge Action Plan Template

Use this template to prepare for an upcoming peer interaction. Plan each step so you can advocate for yourself confidently and respectfully.

1. Describe the Upcoming Situation

• What is the challenge? (Who is involved? What happened or might happen?)












2. Desired Outcome

• What do you want to achieve or change in this situation?







3. Your “I” Statement

• Draft an “I feel…” statement that clearly expresses your feelings and needs:







4. Anticipated Responses or Barriers

• List possible reactions or challenges you might face (e.g., interruptions, pushback, misunderstandings):







5. Fallback Plan / Next Steps

• If the conversation becomes difficult, what could you do or say next? (e.g., ask for clarification, take a break, seek support)







Reflection & Preparation

  1. How will you prepare yourself mentally before the conversation?






  1. After the interaction, what questions will you ask yourself to evaluate how it went?






  1. Who can you turn to for support or feedback once you’ve tried your plan?






lenny
lenny

Reading

Self-Advocacy Strategies Handout

Understanding and using these strategies will help you speak up for yourself respectfully and confidently.

1. Use Clear “I” Statements

  • Definition: Start with “I feel” or “I felt” to own your emotions.
  • Why it works: Puts focus on your experience rather than blaming others.
  • Example:
    “I feel unsettled when my ideas are interrupted in group work. I need to finish my thought before we move on.”

2. Set Respectful Boundaries

  • Definition: Clearly communicate what is acceptable and what is not.
  • Why it works: Helps others know how to treat you.
  • Example:
    “I’m comfortable joking around, but I don’t like when names are called. Please speak to me respectfully.”

3. Ask Clarifying Questions

  • Definition: Request more information if you’re unsure about expectations or comments.
  • Why it works: Prevents misunderstandings and shows you’re engaged.
  • Example:
    “Can you explain what you meant by that comment? I want to make sure I understood.”

4. Plan and Practice Your Message

  • Definition: Think through what you want to say before the conversation.
  • Why it works: Builds confidence and keeps you focused.
  • Example:
    Write down your “I” statement and rehearse it quietly or with a friend before speaking up.

5. Seek Support When Needed

  • Definition: Identify peers or adults who can back you up or give advice.
  • Why it works: Knowing you have allies makes self-advocacy less intimidating.
  • Example:
    “Hey, can I talk to you about something that’s bothering me? I’d appreciate your perspective.”

Remember: Practicing these strategies regularly will make speaking up feel more natural over time.

lenny
lenny