Lesson Plan
Your Communication Style Revealed!
Students will identify their personal communication style and analyze its impact on interactions with peers and adults.
Understanding your communication style is crucial for effective collaboration, reducing misunderstandings, and building stronger relationships with peers and adults.
Audience
11th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, self-assessment, and scenario analysis.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Intro to Communication Styles Slide Deck, and My Communication Style Journal
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Intro to Communication Styles Slide Deck and associated notes.
- Print copies of the My Communication Style Journal for each student.
- Prepare a whiteboard or projector for displaying key concepts and scenarios.
- Ensure all technology is working correctly.
Step 1
Introduction to Communication Styles
5 minutes
- Hook & Brainstorm (2 minutes): Begin by asking students: "How do you typically react when you're explaining something important to someone and they don't seem to understand?" Allow a few students to share.
2. Introduce Objective (1 minute): Present the lesson's objective: "Today, we're going to explore different communication styles and help you discover your own, so you can better understand how you interact with others."
3. Define Communication Styles (2 minutes): Use the Intro to Communication Styles Slide Deck to introduce the four main communication styles (Passive, Aggressive, Passive-Aggressive, Assertive). Briefly explain each.
Step 2
Self-Assessment and Reflection
10 minutes
- Distribute Journals (1 minute): Hand out the My Communication Style Journal to each student.
2. Guided Self-Assessment (7 minutes): Instruct students to complete the self-assessment section in their My Communication Style Journal. Encourage honest reflection. Circulate the room to answer questions and provide clarification.
3. Initial Reflection (2 minutes): Ask students to reflect on their identified style. "Does this resonate with you? Why or why not?" (No need for sharing yet).
Step 3
Scenario Analysis
10 minutes
- Present Scenarios (5 minutes): Display 2-3 short, relatable scenarios on the whiteboard/projector (e.g., group project disagreement, asking for an extension, resolving a conflict with a friend). For each scenario, ask students: "How might someone with a passive style respond? How about aggressive? Passive-aggressive? Assertive?" Encourage brief classroom discussion for each.
2. Personal Application (5 minutes): Instruct students to choose one scenario and write in their My Communication Style Journal how they would typically respond and then how an assertive communicator would respond.
Step 4
Goal Setting and Wrap-Up
5 minutes
- Share Out (2 minutes): Invite a few volunteers to share one insight they gained about their communication style or a new strategy they might try.
2. Goal Setting (2 minutes): Direct students to the
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Slide Deck
Your Communication Style Revealed!
What is it, and why does it matter?
Greet students and introduce the topic of communication. Ask a quick warm-up question to get them thinking about how they communicate.
What is a Communication Style?
• Your typical way of expressing thoughts, feelings, and needs.
• Influences how others understand you.
• Can be conscious or unconscious.
Explain that we all have different ways of communicating, and these are often grouped into 'styles'. These styles impact how we are perceived and how effectively we get our message across.
1. Passive Communication
• Definition: Avoiding expressing your feelings or needs, or expressing them in an apologetic, timid way.
• Characteristics:
• Soft voice, indirect body language.
• Prioritizes others' needs over their own.
• Often feels unheard or taken advantage of.
• Example: "Oh, it doesn't really matter what we do. Whatever you want is fine."
Describe passive communication. Emphasize the idea of avoiding conflict and putting others' needs first, often at the expense of their own. Give examples like mumbling, avoiding eye contact, or saying "It's fine" when it's not.
2. Aggressive Communication
• Definition: Expressing needs and desires forcefully, often at the expense of others.
• Characteristics:
• Loud voice, intense eye contact, dominating posture.
• Disregards others' feelings and opinions.
• Can alienate others.
• Example: "We are doing it my way, and that's final!"
Describe aggressive communication. Highlight the focus on self at the expense of others, often through intimidation or domination. Give examples like shouting, interrupting, or making demands.
3. Passive-Aggressive Communication
• Definition: Indirectly expressing hostility or resentment.
• Characteristics:
• Appears passive on the surface but acts aggressively underneath.
• Uses sarcasm, procrastination, or subtle sabotage.
• Often leads to confusion and unresolved conflict.
• Example: (Smiling) "Oh, don't worry about me. I'll just stay late again to finish everything."
Describe passive-aggressive communication. Explain it as an indirect expression of negative feelings. This style often leads to frustration for both parties. Examples include sarcasm, backhanded compliments, or procrastination as a form of protest.
4. Assertive Communication
• Definition: Clearly and respectfully expressing your needs, thoughts, and feelings while respecting others.
• Characteristics:
• Clear, calm voice; direct eye contact; open body language.
• Values fairness and mutual respect.
• Leads to better problem-solving and stronger relationships.
• Example: "I understand you want to do X, but I need to do Y. Can we find a solution that works for both of us?"
Describe assertive communication. Emphasize the balance between expressing one's own needs and respecting others'. This is generally considered the most effective style. Examples include using "I" statements, clear and direct language, and active listening.
Why Does Your Style Matter?
• Improves relationships.
• Reduces misunderstandings.
• Helps you achieve your goals more effectively.
• Empowers you to communicate with confidence!
Briefly reiterate why understanding these styles is important for their daily lives and future success.
Journal
My Communication Style Journal
Part 1: Self-Assessment
Read each statement and circle the number that best describes how often you act this way. (1 = Never, 2 = Rarely, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = Often, 5 = Always)
When I Disagree with Someone...
- I keep my opinions to myself to avoid conflict.
1 2 3 4 5 - I state my opinion strongly, even if it upsets others.
1 2 3 4 5 - I might agree outwardly but then complain or subtly undermine the decision later.
1 2 3 4 5 - I express my viewpoint clearly and listen to theirs, seeking common ground.
1 2 3 4 5
When I Need Something from Someone...
- I hope they notice what I need without me having to ask directly.
1 2 3 4 5 - I tell them directly what I need and expect them to do it.
1 2 3 4 5 - I might drop hints or make sarcastic comments instead of a direct request.
1 2 3 4 5 - I clearly state my request and explain why it's important to me.
1 2 3 4 5
When There's a Problem...
- I avoid confronting the problem, hoping it will resolve itself.
1 2 3 4 5 - I focus on who is to blame and assert my solution as the only one.
1 2 3 4 5 - I might make subtle remarks or create small obstacles rather than addressing the issue head-on.
1 2 3 4 5 - I describe the problem, express my feelings about it, and work with others to find a solution.
1 2 3 4 5
Part 2: Initial Reflection
Based on your self-assessment, which communication style(s) do you think you use most often? Does this resonate with how you see yourself? Why or why not?
Part 3: Scenario Application
Choose ONE of the scenarios discussed in class. Describe how you would typically respond in that situation. Then, describe how an assertive communicator would respond.
Scenario Chosen:
My Typical Response:
Assertive Response:
Part 4: Goal Setting
Think about one aspect of your communication you would like to improve. What is one specific, actionable goal you can set for yourself to become a more effective communicator?
My Goal:
Steps I will take to achieve this goal: