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Stand Up, Speak Out

Lesson Plan

Self-Advocacy Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will learn to identify personal needs, communicate them respectfully, and develop a simple action plan to seek support using SMART goals, practicing self-advocacy through discussion, role-play, and independent planning.

Self-advocacy skills empower students to voice their needs in academic and social settings, build confidence, and foster independence. Early practice helps 7th graders navigate challenges and seek help effectively.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, role-play, and planning exercises.

Materials

Self-Advocacy Definition Poster, Role-Play Scenario Cards, Action Plan Template, Self-Advocacy Reflection Worksheet, and SMART Goals Guide

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Display Self-Advocacy Definition Poster and read aloud the definition of self-advocacy.
  • Think-Pair-Share: Ask students "What does self-advocacy mean to you?"
  • Invite 2–3 pairs to share key ideas with the class.

Step 2

Direct Instruction

7 minutes

  • Explain the four steps of self-advocacy: identify need, choose audience, communicate clearly, follow up.
  • Show the SMART Goals Guide as a tool for planning.
  • Present a brief example: e.g., asking a teacher for extra help and setting a SMART goal.

Step 3

Guided Practice (Role-Play)

8 minutes

  • Pair students and distribute Role-Play Scenario Cards.
  • In each pair, one student plays themselves advocating; the other plays the audience role.
  • Allow 3 minutes per role, then switch.
  • Circulate to provide feedback on clarity and respectful communication.

Step 4

Independent Practice (Action Plan)

7 minutes

Step 5

Closure & Assessment

3 minutes

  • Invite 1–2 volunteers to share one element of their action plan.
  • Summarize the key steps of self-advocacy and reinforce the use of SMART goals.
  • Collect Action Plans and Reflection Worksheets for assessment.
  • Differentiation & Teacher Prereflections:
    • Offer sentence starters or visuals for ELLs and students needing support.
    • Challenge advanced students to include potential barriers and solutions.
    • Teacher reflect: Which activities promoted confidence? What adjustments are needed?
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Slide Deck

Speak Up, Stand Strong

A 30-minute session on Self-Advocacy Skills
7th Grade Tier 1 with the Social Worker

Welcome students! Introduce today’s topic: building self-advocacy skills. Explain that we’ll explore what self-advocacy means and practice asking for help in respectful, confident ways.

Today’s Objectives

• Identify your personal needs
• Communicate needs clearly and respectfully
• Create a simple action plan using SMART goals

Read each objective aloud and check for understanding. Emphasize how these skills will help both in and out of school.

What Is Self-Advocacy?

Self-advocacy means recognizing your needs and asking for help in a respectful, clear way.

Why it matters:
• Builds confidence
• Promotes independence
• Helps you get support you need

Display the Self-Advocacy Definition Poster (#definition-poster). Ask volunteers what stands out in the definition.

Four Steps of Self-Advocacy

  1. Identify the need
  2. Choose the right audience
  3. Communicate clearly
  4. Follow up

Explain each step with a quick example (e.g., asking for extra time on homework).

Plan with SMART Goals

Specific: What exactly do I need?
Measurable: How will I know I’ve met it?
Achievable: Is it realistic?
Relevant: Does it matter to my situation?
Time-bound: When will I do it by?

Refer to the SMART Goals Guide (#smart-goals-guide). Model creating one SMART goal.

Guided Practice: Role-Play

• Pair up and pick a scenario card
• Student A advocates; Student B listens
• 3 minutes per role, then switch
• Focus on clarity and respect

Hand out Role-Play Scenario Cards (#role-play-scenario-cards). Circulate and give feedback on respectful tone and clear requests.

Independent Practice & Closure

• Complete your Action Plan:
– Describe your need, audience, strategy, and SMART goal
• Reflect on your confidence level and note improvement areas
• Volunteers share one element of their plan

Distribute the Action Plan Template (#action-plan-template) and Reflection Worksheet (#reflection-worksheet). Collect at end for review.

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Lesson Plan

Self-Advocacy Plan 9th Grade

In this one-on-one session, the 9th-grade student will identify personal needs, practice clear and respectful communication, and create a personalized SMART goal–based action plan for self-advocacy.

Building self-advocacy empowers students to voice their needs, gain confidence, and navigate academic or social challenges with independence and resilience.

Audience

9th Grade One-on-One

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided discussion, reflection, role-play, and SMART-goal planning

Materials

Self-Advocacy Definition Sheet, Self-Reflection Journal Page, Communication Role-Play Prompts, SMART Goal Planner, and Self-Advocacy Checklist

Prep

Prepare One-on-One Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Rapport Building

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and ask about their day or recent successes
  • Use open-ended questions to build trust (e.g., “What’s been on your mind lately?”)
  • Affirm their feelings and experiences

Step 2

Introduce Self-Advocacy

5 minutes

  • Present the Self-Advocacy Definition Sheet and review key points together
  • Discuss why self-advocacy matters in school and beyond
  • Ask: “Can you think of a time you spoke up for yourself?”

Step 3

Self-Reflection Activity

7 minutes

  • Provide the Self-Reflection Journal Page
  • Ask the student to write or draw responses:
    • Identify one situation where they needed support
    • Describe how they felt and what they wished had happened
  • Discuss their reflections verbally

Step 4

Communication Practice (Role-Play)

7 minutes

  • Introduce the Communication Role-Play Prompts
  • Select a scenario (e.g., asking a teacher for deadline extension)
  • Role-play the student advocating; social worker provides feedback on tone and clarity
  • Switch roles if time allows

Step 5

Develop SMART Action Plan

4 minutes

  • Hand out the SMART Goal Planner
  • Guide the student to set one specific advocacy goal (e.g., request extra review materials by Friday)
  • Ensure goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound

Step 6

Closure & Next Steps

2 minutes

  • Review the completed SMART goal and plan
  • Provide the Self-Advocacy Checklist for reference
  • Encourage student to try their plan and schedule a follow-up
  • Praise their effort and end on a positive note
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Slide Deck

Stand Up, Speak Out

Self-Advocacy One-on-One Session
9th Grade • 30 Minutes

Greet the student, set a positive tone, and introduce the session’s purpose: developing self-advocacy skills.

What Is Self-Advocacy?

• Recognizing your needs
• Asking for help clearly and respectfully
• Building confidence and independence

Review the Self-Advocacy Definition Sheet together. Ask: “What stands out to you? Why is self-advocacy important?”

Reflect on Your Experience

Think of a time you needed support:
• What happened?
• How did you feel?
• What might you do differently next time?

Have the student complete the Self-Reflection Journal Page. Prompt discussion: “Describe one situation where you needed support, how you felt, and what you wished had happened.”

Practice Communicating

• Choose a scenario from the prompt cards
• Role-play asking for help clearly
• Focus on respectful tone and specific requests
• Swap roles to build empathy

Guide the student through the Communication Role-Play Prompts. Provide feedback on tone, clarity, and respect. Switch roles if time allows.

Plan Your SMART Goal & Next Steps

Specific: What exactly will you ask for?
Measurable: How will you know it worked?
Achievable: Is it realistic?
Relevant: Why does it matter?
Time-bound: What’s your deadline?

• Use your checklist to track progress
• Schedule a follow-up session

Use the SMART Goal Planner to craft one advocacy goal. Then share the Self-Advocacy Checklist and encourage scheduling a follow-up. End with positive reinforcement.

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