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Speaking Up Safely

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Lesson Plan

Speaking Up Safely

Students will learn to identify different communication styles (passive, aggressive, assertive), understand the importance of assertive communication, and practice using 'I statements' to express their needs and advocate for themselves and others respectfully.

Effective communication is a foundational life skill. This lesson empowers students to express themselves clearly and respectfully, fostering healthy relationships and building self-management skills essential for their social and emotional well-being.

Audience

Grades 2-7

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and role-playing.

Materials

Speaking Up Safely Slide Deck, Speaking Up Safely Worksheet, and Speaking Up Safely Discussion Prompts

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What's Your Voice?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "How do you let others know what you need or how you feel?" Allow for a few varied responses.
  • Introduce the idea that there are different ways we communicate, and some ways work better than others. (Transition to Speaking Up Safely Slide Deck - Slide 1)

Step 2

Exploring Communication Styles

15 minutes

  • Use the Speaking Up Safely Slide Deck to introduce and discuss passive, aggressive, and assertive communication styles.
  • Provide simple examples for each style, relevant to student experiences (e.g., sharing toys, asking for help, disagreeing with a friend).
  • Engage students with questions about the impact of each style. (e.g., "How does it feel when someone talks to you passively? Aggressively? Assertively?") (Transition to Speaking Up Safely Slide Deck - Slides 2-5)

Step 3

Mastering 'I Statements'

10 minutes

  • Introduce 'I statements' as a key tool for assertive communication. Explain the structure: "I feel [emotion] when [situation] because [reason], and I need/would like [request]."
  • Model a few examples and have students brainstorm 'I statements' for common scenarios. (e.g., "I feel frustrated when my drawing is messed up because I worked hard on it, and I would like you to be more careful.")
  • Distribute the Speaking Up Safely Worksheet and have students practice writing their own 'I statements'. (Transition to Speaking Up Safely Slide Deck - Slides 6-7, then Worksheet activity)

Step 4

Role-Playing and Practice

10 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups or pairs.
  • Provide scenarios for students to role-play using assertive communication and 'I statements'. Scenarios can be found in the Speaking Up Safely Worksheet or teacher-generated.
  • Circulate and offer feedback, encouraging constructive self-reflection. (Transition to Speaking Up Safely Slide Deck - Slide 8, then Worksheet activity)

Step 5

Wrap-Up: Discuss and Reflect

5 minutes

  • Bring the class back together for a brief discussion.
  • Use prompts from the Speaking Up Safely Discussion Prompts to facilitate reflection on what they learned and how they can apply it.
  • Emphasize that practicing assertive communication gets easier with time.
  • Conclude by reiterating the power of speaking up safely and respectfully. (Transition to Speaking Up Safely Slide Deck - Slide 9 and Discussion)
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Slide Deck

Speaking Up Safely

How do you let others know what you need or how you feel?

Today, we'll learn how to share our thoughts and feelings in a way that helps everyone!

Welcome students and start with a warm-up question to activate prior knowledge about how they communicate their feelings and needs. Listen to a few responses to get a sense of their initial understanding. Emphasize that there are many ways to communicate.

What Are Communication Styles?

Just like people have different styles of clothes, we have different styles of talking!

Passive Communication:

  • Being quiet
  • Not saying what you really think or feel
  • Hoping others will guess what you need

Example: A friend takes your toy, and you just watch, feeling sad.

Introduce the concept of different communication styles. Start with passive communication. Explain it as being quiet and not expressing needs directly. Ask students for examples or how it might feel to communicate passively.

Aggressive Communication

Aggressive Communication:

  • Yelling or shouting
  • Demanding things
  • Ignoring other people's feelings
  • Trying to get your way by being mean or bossy

Example: You yell at your friend, "Give me my toy back NOW!"

Move on to aggressive communication. Highlight that this style is about being loud, demanding, or even mean to get what you want. Discuss the negative impact this can have on others. Ask how it feels when someone is aggressive towards them.

Assertive Communication: The Just Right Way!

Assertive Communication:

  • Speaking clearly and calmly
  • Respecting yourself AND others
  • Saying what you need or feel in a kind way
  • Finding a solution that works for everyone

Example: "I feel sad when you take my toy without asking. Can I please have it back?"

Now introduce assertive communication as the 'just right' way. Emphasize that it's about being clear, respectful, and honest. Explain that it's about finding a balance between passive and aggressive. Ask students to think about how this style feels for everyone involved.

Which Style Is Best?

Passive = Quiet, don't say anything.
Aggressive = Loud, bossy, only care about yourself.
Assertive = Clear, kind, respectful, fair.

Which one helps solve problems and keep friendships strong?

Summarize the three styles. You can ask students to give a quick thumbs up/down/sideways for which style they think is usually the most helpful. Briefly reinforce why assertive is usually the best option.

The Power of "I Statements"

An "I Statement" helps you share your feelings and needs without blaming anyone.

Here's the secret formula:

I feel [your feeling] when [what happened] because [why it matters to you], and I need/would like [what you want to happen].

Example: "I feel confused when you whisper because I can't hear you, and I would like you to speak louder."

Introduce 'I statements' as a powerful tool for assertive communication. Break down the components of an 'I statement' step-by-step. Provide a simple scenario and model how to use an 'I statement'.

Let's Practice "I Statements"!

Imagine these situations. How would you use an "I Statement"?

  • Someone cuts in front of you in line.
  • You feel left out during a game.
  • Your friend borrowed your pencil and didn't give it back.

Provide a few more scenarios and ask students to help construct 'I statements' as a group. This is a good bridge to the worksheet where they'll practice independently. Encourage creativity and thinking about genuine feelings.

Practice Makes Perfect: Role-Play!

Now it's your turn!

Work with a partner or small group to act out some situations. Use your "I Statements" to speak up safely.

Remember to be respectful and practice being assertive!

Explain the role-playing activity. Emphasize safe practice and respectful participation. Circulate during the activity to offer support and guidance. Remind students it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them.

Reflect and Grow

What was one new thing you learned about speaking up?

How can you use an "I Statement" this week?

Remember, your voice is powerful when you use it safely and respectfully!

Conclude the lesson by bringing students back together for a final reflection. Use the discussion prompts to encourage deeper thinking about applying these skills in real life. Reiterate the importance of respectful communication.

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Worksheet

Speaking Up Safely: Practice Your "I Statements"!

Sometimes it can be tricky to tell others how we feel or what we need. But with "I Statements," you can speak up safely and respectfully!

Remember the "I Statement" formula:

I feel [your feeling] when [what happened] because [why it matters to you], and I need/would like [what you want to happen].

Part 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following "I Statements" using your own words. Think about how you would genuinely feel in each situation.

  1. Scenario: Your friend accidentally knocks over your carefully built block tower.
    I feel




    when




    because




    , and I would like






  2. Scenario: Someone keeps interrupting you while you are talking.
    I feel




    when




    because




    , and I need






  3. Scenario: You are trying to read, but a classmate is making loud noises.
    I feel




    when




    because




    , and I would like






Part 2: Your Turn! Create Your Own "I Statements"

Think about a time you needed to speak up, or imagine a situation where you might need to. Write an "I Statement" for each scenario.

  1. Your Scenario:




    My "I Statement":











  2. Your Scenario:




    My "I Statement":











Part 3: Role-Play Practice (Optional)

Work with a partner or in a small group. Choose one of your "I Statements" from Part 2 and practice saying it out loud. Take turns being the speaker and the listener. How does it feel to speak assertively? How does it feel to hear an "I Statement"?

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Discussion

Speaking Up Safely: Discussion Prompts

These prompts are designed to help you think more deeply about assertive communication and how to use it in your daily life. Share your thoughts respectfully with your classmates!

Reflecting on Communication Styles

  1. Can you think of a time when someone communicated passively? How did it make you feel? What do you think they might have needed?





  2. Can you think of a time when someone communicated aggressively? How did that situation turn out? What could have been done differently?





  3. When might it be difficult to use assertive communication? What makes it hard?





The Power of "I Statements"

  1. Why do you think "I Statements" are helpful for communicating how you feel without blaming others?





  2. Besides when you are upset, what are other times you could use an "I Statement"? (Hint: Think about asking for help or sharing ideas!)





Applying Your New Skills

  1. Imagine you see a friend struggling to speak up for themselves. How could you encourage them to use assertive communication?





  2. What is one specific situation you might face this week where you could try using an "I Statement"? How do you think it will change the outcome?





  3. What does "speaking up safely" mean to you? Why is it important for friendships and for feeling good about yourself?





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Speaking Up Safely • Lenny Learning