Lesson Plan
More Than Words Lesson Plan
Students will be able to demonstrate active listening skills and identify different communication styles.
Effective communication is crucial for building strong relationships, resolving conflicts, and succeeding in school and beyond. This lesson equips students with fundamental skills to express themselves clearly and understand others deeply.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive activities, direct instruction, and guided discussions.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, More Than Words Slide Deck, Active Listening Scenarios, and Communication Styles Handout
Prep
Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the More Than Words Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Active Listening Scenarios for partner work (one per pair).
- Print copies of the Communication Styles Handout (one per student).
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Communication Charades
5 minutes
- Begin with a fun, quick game of 'Communication Charades' to get students thinking about different ways we communicate.
- Divide students into small groups. Give each group a card with a common emotion or action to act out without speaking.
- After each round, briefly discuss: "How challenging was it to communicate without words?"
Step 2
Introduce Active Listening Techniques
7 minutes
- Use the More Than Words Slide Deck to introduce the concept of active listening.
- Explain key techniques: making eye contact, nodding, asking clarifying questions, and summarizing.
- Emphasize why active listening is important (shows respect, avoids misunderstandings).
Step 3
Partnered Listening Practice
8 minutes
- Distribute the Active Listening Scenarios.
- Pair students up and have them practice active listening using the provided scenarios.
- One student shares a scenario, the other practices active listening, then they switch roles.
- Circulate and provide feedback/guidance.
Step 4
Group Discussion on Communication Styles
7 minutes
- Distribute the Communication Styles Handout.
- Lead a brief discussion on different communication styles (e.g., assertive, passive, aggressive).
- Ask students: "How can understanding different styles help us communicate better?"
- Encourage examples from their own experiences.
Step 5
Cool-Down: One-Word Takeaway
3 minutes
- Ask each student to share one word that represents their biggest takeaway from the lesson.
- Collect the Communication Styles Handout if desired or instruct students to keep it for future reference.
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Slide Deck
More Than Words: Communication is Key
Understanding how we listen and express ourselves to connect better with others!
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's main idea: effective communication. Get them thinking about how important it is in their daily lives.
What is Communication?
Communication is how we exchange information, ideas, and feelings.
It involves:
- Speaking: Expressing your thoughts.
- Listening: Understanding what others say.
It's more than just words!
Explain that communication isn't just talking. It's a two-way street involving both speaking and listening. Ask students for examples of good communication.
Warm-Up: Communication Charades!
Let's explore non-verbal cues!
Activity:
- Get into small groups.
- Each group will receive a card with an emotion or action.
- Act it out for the class without using words.
- Class guesses!
Discussion: How challenging was it to communicate without words?
Lead the 'Communication Charades' warm-up here. Explain the rules for the activity: acting out emotions/actions without speaking.
The Power of Active Listening
What does it mean to truly listen?
Active listening is fully concentrating on what is being said rather than just passively hearing the message.
It shows respect and helps us understand others better!
Transition from charades to active listening. Explain that while non-verbal is key, so is conscious listening.
Active Listening Techniques
- Make Eye Contact: Show you're engaged.
- Nod and Use Facial Expressions: Signal understanding.
- Avoid Interrupting: Let them finish their thought.
- Ask Clarifying Questions: "Can you tell me more about that?"
- Summarize/Paraphrase: "So, if I understand correctly, you're saying..."
Break down the techniques of active listening. Give concrete examples for each point. Emphasize that these are skills that improve with practice.
Practice Time: Listening Scenarios
Now, let's put active listening into practice!
Activity:
- Pair up with a classmate.
- One person will share a scenario from the Active Listening Scenarios handout.
- The other person will practice active listening skills.
- After 2-3 minutes, switch roles!
Explain the partner activity using the 'Active Listening Scenarios'. Circulate and observe students practicing, providing gentle feedback.
Understanding Communication Styles
Just like people have different personalities, they also have different ways of communicating.
Recognizing these styles can help us adapt our own communication and understand others better.
Introduce the idea that people communicate in different ways. Explain that recognizing these styles can prevent misunderstandings.
Discussion: Styles in Action
- Look at the Communication Styles Handout.
- In your groups, discuss: How can understanding different communication styles help you in school, with friends, or at home?
- Share examples of when a specific style might be more effective.
Briefly go over the handout and then facilitate a discussion on how understanding these styles can improve interactions.
Cool-Down: One-Word Takeaway
Think about what we learned today about communication.
What is one word that represents your biggest takeaway or something new you learned?
Conclude the lesson by having each student reflect on their key takeaway. This is a quick assessment of their learning.
Activity
Active Listening Scenarios
Instructions:
- Pair up with a partner.
- Decide who will be the Speaker and who will be the Listener first.
- The Speaker will choose one of the scenarios below and describe it to their Listener.
- The Listener will practice active listening techniques (make eye contact, nod, ask clarifying questions, summarize, don't interrupt).
- After 2-3 minutes, switch roles and repeat with a new scenario.
Scenarios
Scenario 1:
- Speaker: Describe a time you felt really frustrated or annoyed about something at school (e.g., a group project, a challenging assignment, a misunderstanding with a friend).
- Listener: Focus on understanding their feelings and the details of the situation. Ask questions like, "What made you feel that way?" or "What happened next?"
Scenario 2:
- Speaker: Share something you are really excited about or looking forward to (e.g., a weekend plan, a new hobby, an upcoming event).
- Listener: Show enthusiasm and ask questions that encourage them to share more. "That sounds amazing! What are you most excited for?"
Scenario 3:
- Speaker: Talk about a challenge you faced recently and how you tried to overcome it (e.g., learning a new skill, dealing with a difficult situation, solving a problem).
- Listener: Listen for their efforts and feelings. Offer supportive statements and ask, "What did you learn from that experience?"
Scenario 4:
- Speaker: Describe a recent movie, book, or video game you enjoyed and why you liked it.
- Listener: Ask about the characters, plot, or what made it engaging for them. "What was your favorite part?" or "Who was your favorite character and why?"
Reading
Communication Styles Handout
Understanding different communication styles can help you interact more effectively with others.
1. Passive Communication
- Description: Individuals with a passive communication style often avoid expressing their own needs, opinions, and desires. They might apologize frequently, speak softly, and avoid eye contact.
- Why it happens: Fear of conflict, desire to please others, low self-esteem.
- Impact: Needs may not be met, feelings can be overlooked, can lead to resentment.
2. Aggressive Communication
- Description: Aggressive communicators express their needs and desires forcefully, often at the expense of others. They might interrupt, use demanding language, criticize, or intimidate.
- Why it happens: Belief that their needs are paramount, insecurity, desire for control.
- Impact: Damages relationships, creates fear and resentment, prevents open dialogue.
3. Passive-Aggressive Communication
- Description: This style involves indirectly expressing negative feelings instead of openly addressing issues. It can manifest as sarcasm, procrastination, sulking, or being purposefully inefficient.
- Why it happens: Fear of direct confrontation, inability to express anger constructively.
- Impact: Creates confusion and frustration, issues remain unresolved, breeds distrust.
4. Assertive Communication
- Description: Assertive communicators express their thoughts, feelings, and needs clearly, respectfully, and directly, while also respecting the rights and opinions of others. They use "I" statements and can negotiate effectively.
- Why it happens: Self-respect, belief in equal rights, desire for mutual understanding.
- Impact: Builds healthy relationships, fosters trust, leads to effective problem-solving.