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Speak Up: Your Voice Matters!

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Rachel Chan

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Speak Up: Your Voice Matters!

Students will be able to define self-advocacy and identify at least two personal needs or wants they can advocate for in a group setting.

This lesson is important because it empowers students to effectively communicate their needs, fostering independence and confidence in various situations, from school to personal life.

Audience

8th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, scenario analysis, and personal reflection.

Materials

  • Self-Advocacy Scenarios Slides, and - My Needs and Wants Worksheet

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review the Speak Up: Your Voice Matters! Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Self-Advocacy Scenarios Slides and My Needs and Wants Worksheet.
  • Ensure projector/display is set up for the Self-Advocacy Scenarios Slides.
  • Print copies of the My Needs and Wants Worksheet for each student.
  • Arrange seating for small group discussions, if preferred.

Step 1

Introduction to Self-Advocacy

5 minutes

  • Begin with a warm-up question: "Think about a time you really wanted or needed something but didn't ask for it. Why didn't you speak up?" (Allow a few student responses or have them turn and talk).
  • Introduce the concept of self-advocacy using Self-Advocacy Scenarios Slides (Slide 1-2).
  • Define self-advocacy: "Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself and your needs and wants. It's about knowing what you need and asking for it respectfully."

Step 2

Identifying Personal Needs

10 minutes

  • Distribute the My Needs and Wants Worksheet.
  • Instruct students to brainstorm and write down at least two personal needs or wants they might have in a group setting (e.g., needing more time on an assignment, asking for a quieter workspace, needing clarification on instructions). (See Self-Advocacy Scenarios Slides Slide 3 for examples).
  • Facilitate a brief discussion: "Why is it sometimes hard to identify our own needs?"

Step 3

Scenario Discussion

10 minutes

  • Present 2-3 scenarios from the Self-Advocacy Scenarios Slides (Slides 4-6) where self-advocacy is needed.
  • Divide students into small groups (2-3 students).
  • Each group discusses how they would advocate for themselves in one of the scenarios, using the needs they identified earlier on their My Needs and Wants Worksheet as inspiration.
  • Bring the class back together and have each group share one idea. Emphasize respectful and clear communication.

Step 4

Wrap-up and Reflection

5 minutes

  • Project the final slide (Slide 7) from Self-Advocacy Scenarios Slides.
  • Ask students to reflect on their My Needs and Wants Worksheet and choose one need/want they will commit to advocating for in the next week.
  • Conclude by reiterating the importance of self-advocacy and that their voice matters.
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Slide Deck

Warm-Up: When Did You NOT Speak Up?

Think about a time you really wanted or needed something but didn't ask for it.

  • Why didn't you speak up?
  • What was the outcome?

Welcome students and introduce the warm-up question. Encourage a few volunteers to share their experiences. This helps connect to their prior knowledge and personalizes the topic.

What is Self-Advocacy?

Self-advocacy means:

  • Knowing your needs and wants.
  • Confidently and respectfully speaking up for yourself.
  • Taking action to get what you need.

Introduce the topic of self-advocacy. Explain that today's lesson will help them understand what it means and how to do it. Use this slide to give the official definition.

Why Does Your Voice Matter?

Self-advocacy helps you:

  • Get the support you need.
  • Feel more confident.
  • Solve problems effectively.
  • Take charge of your learning and life.

Discuss why self-advocacy is a valuable skill for students. Connect it to school, friendships, and their future.

Identifying Your Needs & Wants

What do you need or want in a group setting?

  • Examples:
    • More time on a task.
    • A quieter workspace.
    • Clarification on instructions.
    • A break.
    • Help from a classmate or teacher.

Explain that before advocating, we need to know what we need. Provide examples relevant to a group setting.

Scenario 1: Group Project Trouble

You are working on a group project, and one member is dominating the conversation, not letting anyone else share ideas. You have a great idea but can't get a word in.

Present the first scenario. Ask students to think about how they would advocate for themselves. This leads into the small group discussion.

Scenario 2: Too Much Noise!

Your class is working on individual assignments, but some classmates are talking loudly, making it hard for you to concentrate and finish your work.

Present the second scenario. Encourage students to think about how to ask for specific accommodations.

Scenario 3: Unclear Instructions

The teacher just gave instructions for an activity, but you didn't quite understand a key part. Everyone else seems to be starting.

Present the third scenario. Focus on asking for clarification without feeling silly.

Your Voice Matters! Speak Up!

What is one thing you will advocate for this week?

Conclude the lesson by asking students to commit to one act of self-advocacy based on their worksheet. Emphasize that practicing is key.

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Worksheet

My Needs and Wants Worksheet: Speaking Up For Yourself

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Part 1: What Do I Need and Want?

Think about different group settings (in class, with friends, during activities). What are some things you might need or want to be successful, comfortable, or understood?

List at least two personal needs or wants you can imagine advocating for in a group setting. Be specific!

  1. My Need/Want 1:







    Why is this important to me?



  2. My Need/Want 2:







    Why is this important to me?



  3. My Need/Want 3 (Optional):







    Why is this important to me?



Part 2: How Can I Speak Up?

For one of the needs/wants you listed above, describe how you would advocate for yourself. What would you say or do? Remember to be clear and respectful.

Which Need/Want are you choosing? (e.g., "Need 1: More time on a task")

How will you speak up for this need/want? (Write down the exact words you might use or the actions you would take.)













Part 3: Reflect and Commit

After our discussion and looking at the scenarios, what is one thing you will commit to advocating for in the next week, either in school or outside of it?







I will speak up for...







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