Lesson Plan
Unlocking Your Voice
Students will be able to define self-advocacy and identify situations where it is important. Students will also practice expressing their needs and preferences effectively.
Learning self-advocacy empowers students to communicate their needs, ask for help when necessary, and take an active role in their learning journey. This builds confidence and independence, crucial skills for success in school and life.
Audience
6th Grade Class
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Through discussion, a presentation, and role-playing, students will learn and practice self-advocacy.
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Unlocking Your Voice Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Self-Advocacy Superpowers Presentation, My Voice Meter Warm-Up, Role Play Your Power Scenarios Activity, and One Thing I Can Do Exit Ticket.
- Ensure projector or smartboard is ready for the Self-Advocacy Superpowers Presentation.
- Print copies of the My Voice Meter Warm-Up and One Thing I Can Do Exit Ticket.
- Prepare scenario cards for the Role Play Your Power Scenarios Activity.
Step 1
Introduction: What is a Superpower?
5 minutes
- Begin with a brief discussion: "What makes a superhero super? What are some of their powers?"
- Introduce the idea that everyone has a superpower, and today we'll discover a special one: self-advocacy. (Refer to Self-Advocacy Superpowers Presentation Slide 1-2)
Step 2
Warm-Up: My Voice Meter
10 minutes
- Distribute the My Voice Meter Warm-Up to each student.
- Instruct students to reflect and fill out their voice meter, thinking about how comfortable they are speaking up in different situations.
- Discuss a few student responses (voluntarily). (Refer to Self-Advocacy Superpowers Presentation Slide 3)
Step 3
Presentation: Self-Advocacy Superpowers
15 minutes
- Present the Self-Advocacy Superpowers Presentation.
- Define self-advocacy and provide examples. Emphasize that it's about respectfully communicating needs and wants.
- Facilitate a short Q&A after the presentation. (Refer to Self-Advocacy Superpowers Presentation Slide 4-7)
Step 4
Activity: Role Play Your Power Scenarios
15 minutes
- Divide students into small groups.
- Provide each group with a scenario card from the Role Play Your Power Scenarios Activity.
- Ask groups to role-play the scenario, demonstrating how to use self-advocacy skills.
- Have a few groups share their role-plays with the class and discuss effective strategies. (Refer to Self-Advocacy Superpowers Presentation Slide 8)
Step 5
Cool-Down: One Thing I Can Do Exit Ticket
5 minutes
- Distribute the One Thing I Can Do Exit Ticket.
- Students write down one specific way they can practice self-advocacy in the coming week.
- Collect tickets as students leave. (Refer to Self-Advocacy Superpowers Presentation Slide 9)
Slide Deck
What's Your Superpower?
Every superhero has a special power. What's yours?
Welcome students and get them thinking about what makes a hero. Connect this to their own potential 'superpowers.'
Unlock Your Inner Superpower!
Today, we're going to talk about a superpower YOU already have inside you.
It's called Self-Advocacy!
Introduce the idea of self-advocacy as a personal superpower. Explain that it's a skill everyone can develop.
How Loud Is Your Voice?
Sometimes it's easy to speak up, and sometimes it's really hard.
Let's check our 'Voice Meter'!
(Complete My Voice Meter Warm-Up)
Explain the purpose of the 'My Voice Meter' and how it helps us understand when and how we speak up. Guide them to complete the warm-up activity.
What is Self-Advocacy?
Self-advocacy is when you speak up for yourself and let others know what you need or want.
It's about:
- Knowing your strengths and challenges
- Knowing your rights
- Communicating respectfully
- Making choices and decisions
- Asking for help when you need it
Clearly define self-advocacy in simple terms. Provide clear examples that are relatable to 6th graders.
Why Is It a Superpower?
When you use your self-advocacy superpower, you can:
- Get the help you need to learn better
- Solve problems
- Feel more confident
- Make your voice heard!
- Stand up for yourself and others
Emphasize why this skill is important for their learning and well-being.
How Do I Use My Superpower?
It's as simple as:
- Knowing what you need: What are you struggling with? What would help you?
- Choosing who to tell: A teacher? A parent? A friend?
- Deciding what to say: Be clear and respectful!
Examples:
- "Excuse me, I need help understanding this math problem."
- "Could you please speak slower? I'm having trouble taking notes."
- "I work better when I can sit closer to the board."
Provide actionable steps students can take to practice self-advocacy.
Questions?
Any questions about self-advocacy? Or times when you've used your superpower?
Open the floor for questions and clarifications after the main concept introduction.
Role Play Your Power!
Now, let's put your self-advocacy superpowers to the test!
Work in small groups to role-play scenarios where you need to speak up for yourself.
(Complete Role Play Your Power Scenarios Activity)
Introduce the role-play activity and give instructions. Remind students to practice the steps of self-advocacy.
Your Next Super-Move
Think about one thing you can do this week to practice your self-advocacy superpower!
(Complete One Thing I Can Do Exit Ticket)
Introduce the cool-down activity and explain that students should reflect on one actionable step they can take.
Warm Up
My Voice Meter: How Comfortable Are You Speaking Up?
Think about different situations at school. On a scale of 1 to 5, how comfortable are you speaking up for yourself?
1 = Not at all comfortable
3 = Sometimes comfortable
5 = Very comfortable
In the Classroom
-
Asking a question when I don't understand something:
1 2 3 4 5
-
Telling a teacher I need more time on an assignment:
1 2 3 4 5
-
Suggesting a different way to do a group project:
1 2 3 4 5
-
Asking to move my seat if I can't see or hear:
1 2 3 4 5
With Friends
-
Saying "no" if my friends want me to do something I don't want to do:
1 2 3 4 5
-
Telling a friend if they hurt my feelings:
1 2 3 4 5
Other Situations
-
Ordering food at a restaurant:
1 2 3 4 5
-
Asking an adult for directions when I'm lost:
1 2 3 4 5
Reflection
Which situations are easiest for you to speak up in? Why?
Which situations are most difficult for you to speak up in? Why?
Activity
Role Play Your Power Scenarios
Work with your group to act out each scenario. Practice using your self-advocacy superpower! Remember to be clear and respectful.
Scenario 1: The Confusing Assignment
You are in science class, and your teacher just explained a new project. You wrote down some notes, but you still don't understand what you're supposed to do for one part of the assignment.
Your Self-Advocacy Goal: Ask your teacher for clarification.
Scenario 2: The Loud Group Member
You are working on a group project, and one of your group members is talking very loudly and distracting everyone. You are having trouble concentrating.
Your Self-Advocacy Goal: Politely ask your group member to lower their voice.
Scenario 3: Missing Materials
You are about to start an art project, and you realize you don't have the specific colored paper you need, but other students do. You are not sure if the teacher handed it out or if you missed something.
Your Self-Advocacy Goal: Ask your teacher about the missing material.
Scenario 4: Feeling Unwell
You are in the middle of reading class, and you start to feel a little sick to your stomach. You don't want to interrupt the class, but you also feel like you need to tell someone.
Your Self-Advocacy Goal: Discreetly let your teacher know you're not feeling well and ask what you should do.
Cool Down
One Thing I Can Do Exit Ticket
My Superpower Goal!
Think about what we learned today about self-advocacy. What is ONE specific thing you can do this week to practice using your self-advocacy superpower?
I will practice my self-advocacy superpower by:
Who will I practice it with (e.g., teacher, parent, friend, coach)?
When do I plan to do this?
Why is this important for me?