Lesson Plan
The Proactive Planner: Mastering Self-Advocacy
Students will be able to identify key components of self-advocacy, differentiate between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication styles, and apply self-advocacy skills in various academic and personal scenarios.
Developing strong self-advocacy skills is crucial for students to succeed academically and personally. It empowers them to take ownership of their learning, communicate their needs effectively, and build confidence in navigating challenges.
Audience
9th-11th Grade
Time
60 Minutes
Approach
Interactive scenarios, guided discussions, and practical application exercises.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Markers or Whiteboard, Self-Advocacy Slide Deck, Self-Advocacy Scenarios Activity, and Self-Advocacy Reflection Worksheet
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 Minutes
- Review the Self-Advocacy Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Self-Advocacy Scenarios Activity and Self-Advocacy Reflection Worksheet for each student.
- Ensure access to a smartboard or projector for the slide deck.
Step 1
Introduction: What is Self-Advocacy?
10 Minutes
- Begin by displaying Slide 2: "What is Self-Advocacy?" from the Self-Advocacy Slide Deck.
- Ask students: "What comes to mind when you hear the term 'self-advocacy'?" (3 minutes)
- Facilitate a brief discussion, guiding students to define self-advocacy as speaking up for oneself and one's needs. (5 minutes)
- Introduce the lesson objective. (2 minutes)
Step 2
Communication Styles & Assertiveness
15 Minutes
- Transition to Slide 3: "Communication Styles." from the Self-Advocacy Slide Deck.
- Explain passive, aggressive, and assertive communication styles with examples. (7 minutes)
- Engage students in a quick
Step 3
Understanding Your Communication Style
15 Minutes
- Display Slide 4: "Communication Styles" from the Self-Advocacy Slide Deck.
- Review the three communication styles (passive, aggressive, assertive) with the class, providing examples for each. (5 minutes)
- Distribute the Self-Advocacy Scenarios Activity.
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students) and instruct them to read through the scenarios, identifying the communication style used and discussing how the situation could be handled assertively. (10 minutes)
Step 4
Role-Playing and Feedback
15 Minutes
- Invite a few groups to role-play one of their assertive solutions to a scenario from the Self-Advocacy Scenarios Activity. (10 minutes)
- After each role-play, facilitate a brief class discussion, providing constructive feedback and highlighting effective self-advocacy techniques. (5 minutes)
Step 5
Reflection and Goal Setting
10 Minutes
- Distribute the Self-Advocacy Reflection Worksheet.
- Instruct students to complete the worksheet independently, reflecting on their own self-advocacy strengths and areas for growth, and setting one personal goal for practicing self-advocacy. (8 minutes)
- Briefly share goals as a class or in pairs. (2 minutes)
Step 6
Conclusion and Wrap-up
10 Minutes
- Revisit the lesson objective from Slide 2 of the Self-Advocacy Slide Deck. (2 minutes)
- Discuss the importance of ongoing self-advocacy in academic and personal life. (5 minutes)
- Answer any remaining student questions. (3 minutes)
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Slide Deck
The Proactive Planner: Mastering Self-Advocacy
Taking Charge of Your Success!
Welcome students and introduce the overarching theme of mastering self-advocacy. Explain that this lesson will equip them with essential skills for both academic and personal success.
What is Self-Advocacy?
Speak Up! Stand Tall!
Self-advocacy means understanding your own needs and speaking up for yourself to get what you need to succeed.
Lesson Objective: Students will be able to identify key components of self-advocacy, differentiate between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication styles, and apply self-advocacy skills in various academic and personal scenarios.
Pose the question to the class and allow for a brief brainstorm or think-pair-share. Guide the discussion to define self-advocacy as understanding your needs and communicating them effectively. Introduce the lesson objective clearly.
Communication Styles: Find Your Voice!
1. Passive Communication:
- Definition: Not expressing your feelings, needs, or opinions.
- Example: You have a question in class but don't raise your hand because you don't want to bother the teacher.
2. Aggressive Communication:
- Definition: Expressing your feelings, needs, and opinions in a way that disrespects others.
- Example: You loudly interrupt your teacher, demanding that they answer your question right away.
3. Assertive Communication:
- Definition: Expressing your feelings, needs, and opinions clearly and respectfully.
- Example: You politely raise your hand and say, "Excuse me, Mr./Ms. [Teacher's Name], I have a question about this problem. Could you please clarify?"
Explain each communication style with clear, relatable examples. Use gestures and vocal tone to illustrate the differences. Engage students with quick scenarios to test their understanding.
Scenario Challenge: What Would You Do?
Read the following scenarios and discuss:
- Identify the communication style being used.
- How could the person in the scenario use assertive communication?
(This slide will lead into the Self-Advocacy Scenarios Activity)
Present several scenarios and have students identify the communication style used. Then, encourage them to brainstorm assertive ways to handle each situation. This slide directly sets up the group activity.
Your Self-Advocacy Journey
Time to Reflect!
- What is one area where you already use self-advocacy?
- What is one area where you could improve your self-advocacy skills?
- What is one specific goal you will set to practice self-advocacy this week?
(This slide will lead into the Self-Advocacy Reflection Worksheet)
Guide students to reflect on their own tendencies and set actionable goals. Emphasize that self-advocacy is a journey, not a destination. Encourage sharing if students are comfortable.
Keep Advocating for YOU!
Remember:
- Self-advocacy is a powerful tool for success.
- Practice assertive communication.
- You have the right to express your needs and seek support!
Questions?
Reiterate the main takeaway: self-advocacy empowers them. Encourage them to continuously practice these skills. Address any lingering questions.
Activity
Self-Advocacy Scenarios: What Would You Do?
Instructions: In your groups, read each scenario below. Discuss the questions that follow and be prepared to share your thoughts with the class.
Scenario 1: The Missing Assignment
You realize a week before grades are due that a major project you submitted a month ago is not reflected in the online gradebook. You are worried it might impact your final grade.
- What is your initial reaction? What communication style might you naturally lean towards in this situation (passive, aggressive, or assertive)?
- How would a passive communicator handle this?
- How would an aggressive communicator handle this?
- How would an assertive communicator approach this situation? What specific steps would they take and what would they say?
Scenario 2: Group Project Troubles
You are working on a group project, and one of your teammates isn't doing their share of the work. The deadline is approaching, and you're concerned about your grade.
- What is your initial reaction? What communication style might you naturally lean towards in this situation (passive, aggressive, or assertive)?
- How would a passive communicator handle this?
- How would an aggressive communicator handle this?
- How would an assertive communicator approach this situation? What specific steps would they take and what would they say to their teammate and/or the teacher?
Scenario 3: Understanding the Material
You are struggling to understand a concept in your math class. You've reviewed your notes and tried the practice problems, but it's still not clicking. The teacher just assigned a quiz for next week on this very topic.
- What is your initial reaction? What communication style might you naturally lean towards in this situation (passive, aggressive, or assertive)?
- How would a passive communicator handle this?
- How would an aggressive communicator handle this?
- How would an assertive communicator approach this situation? What specific steps would they take and what would they say to their teacher?
Worksheet
Self-Advocacy Reflection: Your Voice, Your Future!
Instructions: Take a moment to reflect on your own self-advocacy skills. Answer the questions below thoughtfully.
Part 1: My Self-Advocacy Strengths
- Think about a time when you successfully advocated for yourself (e.g., asked for help, expressed a boundary, shared an idea). Describe what happened and what you did.
- What communication style do you use most often in situations where you need to express your needs or feelings? (Passive, Aggressive, or Assertive)
- In what types of situations do you feel most comfortable advocating for yourself?
Part 2: Areas for Growth
- Think about a time you wished you had advocated for yourself differently. What happened, and what do you wish you had done or said?
- In what types of situations do you find it challenging to advocate for yourself?
- Are there certain people or subjects that make it harder for you to use your voice? Why do you think that is?
Part 3: Setting a Self-Advocacy Goal
- Based on your reflections, what is ONE specific, actionable goal you will set to practice self-advocacy this week?
(e.g., "I will ask my English teacher for clarification on a specific essay requirement," or "I will politely tell my friend I can't hang out because I need to study.")
- What steps will you take to achieve this goal?
- How will you know if you have achieved your goal?