Lesson Plan

The Power of No Lesson Plan

Empower 6th to 8th-grade students to confidently say 'No' by exploring personal boundaries and practicing refusal skills through interactive activities.

Learning to say 'No' nurtures self-respect and healthy relationships, equipping students with vital skills for real-life social interactions.

Audience

6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and role-playing.

Materials

Role-Playing Scenario Cards, and Interactive Discussion Slides

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Review the Interactive Discussion Slides to understand key messages.
Familiarize yourself with the Role-Playing Scenario Cards and plan potential discussion points.
Set up a circle seating arrangement to facilitate group discussion and role-play.

Step 1

Introduction and Discussion

10 minutes

Begin with a brief discussion about personal boundaries and the significance of saying 'No'.
Ask students to share situations where they felt the need to say 'No'.
Introduce key phrases and strategies for saying 'No' respectfully.

Step 2

Role-Playing Activity

15 minutes

Divide students into small groups and distribute the Role-Playing Scenario Cards.
Each group practices a scenario, taking turns to role-play and express refusal exercises.
Rotate roles to ensure everyone practices both saying 'No' and supporting their peers.
Facilitate a debrief discussion after each role-play to reflect on strategies used and feelings experienced.

Step 3

Wrap-Up and Reflection

5 minutes

Gather the groups back together and summarize key takeaways.
Encourage students to reflect on how these skills can be applied in their daily lives.
Conclude with a quick Q&A to address any lingering questions or concerns.

Slide Deck

Welcome to The Power of No

Today we are going to learn why saying 'No' is important and how it helps us set healthy boundaries.

Introduce the topic by highlighting that this lesson is about understanding and practicing the importance of saying 'No' in different situations. Emphasize how setting boundaries is a key part of self-respect and healthy relationships.

What Are Personal Boundaries?

Personal boundaries are the limits we set for ourselves about what we are comfortable with.

Why is it important to have boundaries?
Can you think of a time when you needed to say 'No'?

Discuss what personal boundaries are and why they matter. Ask students for their ideas and encourage discussion. Explore examples of where they might need to say 'No'.

Saying 'No' Respectfully

When you say 'No', you are taking care of yourself.

Key tips for saying 'No':

Be clear and honest
Use polite language
Stand firm while respecting others

Share examples of how saying 'No' can be done respectfully. Discuss that refusing doesn't mean disrespecting someone else. Encourage questions as you go.

Now, let's watch a video that gives us more insight on managing peer pressure. This video will show practical ways to apply what we've discussed about saying 'No'.

Let's Reflect

Reflect on these questions:

When might you need to say 'No'?
How can you practice these strategies in your daily life?

Discuss with your partner or group!

Prompt students to think about when and how they can use these strategies. Allow students to share in a group discussion based on these questions.

Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways

Remember:

Saying 'No' is a way to take care of yourself and your feelings
Setting boundaries is important for self-respect
Practice makes perfect, so keep trying and supporting one another!

Summarize the key points of the lesson. Encourage students to practice saying 'No' in a respectful manner and remind them that this skill helps them to take care of themselves.

Activity

Activity: Role-Playing Scenario Cards

These cards present realistic scenarios where you might need to say 'No'. Use them to practice refusal skills in a controlled environment, ensuring everyone has a chance to role-play both as someone saying 'No' and as a supportive peer.

Guidelines

Divide into Small Groups: Each group will receive a set of scenario cards.
Role-Play: Take turns playing the roles in each scenario. One student will be in a situation where they need to assertively say 'No', while another might play a friend, peer, or authority figure.
Practice Refusal Skills: Focus on using clear language, maintaining politeness, and standing firm on your boundaries.
Debrief Discussion: After each role-play, discuss which strategies felt effective and share any challenges encountered.

Reflection Questions

How did it feel to assert your boundaries by saying 'No'?
Were there moments when you found it challenging to say 'No'? Why?
What strategies helped you the most during the role-play?

The Power of No

Marcus Virgil