Teacher Script: Your Voice Matters

Warm-Up: How Do You Speak Up? (10 minutes)

(Teacher): "Good morning! Today we're going to talk about something super important: using your voice. Have you ever wanted something different from what someone else wanted, maybe at home, but found it hard to say anything?"

(Teacher): "It's okay if you have. Many people feel that way sometimes. What do you think makes it hard to speak up for yourself?"

Introduction to Self-Advocacy (15 minutes)

(Teacher): (Display Self-Advocacy Slide Deck - Slide 1) "Today, our lesson is called 'Your Voice Matters!' Our goal is to learn how to speak up for what you want and need, especially with your family, in a way that is respectful and clear."

(Teacher): (Display Self-Advocacy Slide Deck - Slide 2) "Let's start with what 'self-advocacy' means. It simply means speaking up for yourself and for what you need or want. Think about it as telling people what's on your mind. It's about making your own choices, sharing your ideas, and asking for help when you need it. Can you think of a time you made your own choice, even a small one?"

(Teacher): (Display Self-Advocacy Slide Deck - Slide 3) "Now, why is this especially important with family? Your family loves you, right? But sometimes, even though they care, they might not always know exactly what you want or need. When you speak up with your family, it helps you feel more independent, you're more likely to get what you need, and it can even build stronger, more honest relationships. What do you think about that?"

Reading & Discussion: Understanding Self-Advocacy (20 minutes)

(Teacher): "Great! Now, I have a short reading for you that goes a bit deeper into this. I'm going to hand out the Reading: Understanding Self-Advocacy. We can read it together, or you can read it quietly to yourself." (Distribute Reading: Understanding Self-Advocacy)

(Allow time for reading.)

(Teacher): "Alright, now that we've read this, let's talk about it. The reading talked about three key steps: Identify, Plan, and Communicate. Let's look at that again." (Display Self-Advocacy Slide Deck - Slide 4)

(Teacher): (Display Self-Advocacy Slide Deck - Slide 5) "First, Identify what you want or need. This means really thinking about it. What makes you happy? What do you dislike? What choices do you want to make? It could be about what to eat for dinner, what TV show to watch, or even bigger things. Can you think of something small you'd like to identify a choice about today or tomorrow?"

(Teacher): (Display Self-Advocacy Slide Deck - Slide 6) "Second, Plan your message. Once you know what you want, think about how you'll say it. Who do you need to talk to? When is a good time? What words will you use? Keep it simple and clear. For example, if you want to choose the movie, you might plan to say, 'Mom, I'd like to pick the movie tonight.'"

(Teacher): (Display Self-Advocacy Slide Deck - Slide 7) "And finally, Communicate clearly. This is when you actually speak up! Be clear, be respectful, and be confident. Use a calm voice, polite words, and try to look at the person. It helps them understand you better."

Worksheet: My Family, My Voice (25 minutes)

(Teacher): "Now, let's put this into practice with a worksheet. I'm giving you the Worksheet: My Family, My Voice. This worksheet will help you think about situations with your family where you might want to speak up. Take your time to think about a few things you'd like to advocate for, and why." (Distribute Worksheet: My Family, My Voice)

(Circulate and provide support as needed. Help the student brainstorm and articulate their thoughts.)

Discussion: Family Scenarios (20 minutes)

(Teacher): "Great job on the worksheet! It's not always easy to think about these things. Now, let's talk through a few scenarios. These are made-up situations, but they're like things that can happen in real life. How would you handle them?" (Refer to Discussion: Family Scenarios)

(Teacher): "Scenario 1: Your family always chooses Italian food for dinner on Tuesdays, but you really want Mexican food this week. How would you identify what you want, plan your message, and communicate it?"

(Teacher): "Scenario 2: You want to spend an afternoon doing an activity you enjoy, but your family has planned something else for you. How would you speak up about your preference respectfully?"

(Teacher): "Scenario 3: Your family makes decisions about your schedule without asking for your input. What's one small change you'd like to suggest, and how would you bring it up?"

Activity: Role-Playing Advocacy (25 minutes)

(Teacher): "Excellent discussion! Now, let's try some role-playing. This is a chance to practice speaking up in a safe way. We can pick one of the scenarios from your worksheet or one of the scenarios we just discussed. I'll be a family member, and you can practice advocating for yourself." (Refer to Activity: Role-Playing Advocacy)

(Choose a scenario, set up the role-play. Provide feedback on clarity, tone, and body language after each attempt. Offer opportunities to try again.)

(Teacher): "How did that feel? What did you notice about speaking up?"

Quiz: Self-Advocacy Check (15 minutes)

(Teacher): "You're doing wonderfully! To see what you've learned today, I have a short quiz, the Quiz: Self-Advocacy Check. This isn't a test for a grade; it's just to help us both see what you've understood about self-advocacy. Take your time to answer the questions." (Distribute Quiz: Self-Advocacy Check)

(Allow time for the student to complete the quiz.)

Review and Cool-Down (10 minutes)

(Teacher): "Alright, let's go over the quiz together using the Answer Key: Self-Advocacy Check." (Review answers and clarify any misunderstandings.)

(Teacher): (Display Self-Advocacy Slide Deck - Slide 8 & 9) "Remember, practice makes perfect! Self-advocacy is a skill you build over time. Every time you speak up, you get stronger."

(Teacher): "To finish up today, let's do our Cool-Down: One Step Forward. I want you to think of one small thing you will try to advocate for yourself about with your family this week. It could be anything, big or small. What will it be?"

(Teacher): "That's a fantastic goal! Remember, your voice is important, and what you want and need matters. Don't be afraid to share it. Great work today!"

Warm-Up: How Do You Speak Up?

Think about this question:

Has there ever been a time when you wanted to do something or wanted something different than what someone else (especially in your family) wanted, but you didn't say anything?

If so, what made it hard to speak up in that moment?

Understanding Self-Advocacy

Sometimes, it feels like other people, especially our family, make all the decisions for us. They might mean well, but you have your own thoughts, feelings, and wishes! That's where self-advocacy comes in.

What is Self-Advocacy?

Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself. It means telling people what you want, what you need, and how you feel. It's about making your own choices and asking for what will help you live your best life. It's YOUR voice, used by YOU.

Why is it Important with Family?

Your family is important. They love you and want to help you. But sometimes, they might forget to ask you what you want. They might think they know best, or they might not realize you have a different idea.

When you advocate for yourself with your family:

• You get what you need: If you don't say it, they might not know.
• You feel more independent: Making your own choices helps you feel strong and capable.
• You build trust: When you share your feelings and ideas, your family understands you better, and your relationships can grow stronger.

The Three Big Steps to Self-Advocacy

Learning to speak up might feel tricky at first, but it gets easier with practice. Here are three simple steps to follow:

Step 1: Identify What You Want or Need

Before you can tell someone what you want, you need to know it yourself! Take a moment to think:

• What do I really want right now?
• What makes me feel uncomfortable or happy?
• Is there a choice I want to make about my day, my food, or my activities?

Example: You want to wear your favorite blue shirt, but your mom picked out a green one for you. You identify that you want to wear the blue shirt.

Step 2: Plan Your Message

Once you know what you want, think about how you will say it. This is like getting ready before you speak.

• Who do you need to talk to? (Is it your mom, dad, brother, etc.?)
• When is a good time to talk? (When they are calm and listening, not when they are busy or upset.)
• What words will you use? Keep your message clear and simple. Sometimes, it helps to practice in your head.

Example: You decide to talk to your mom when she's finishing breakfast. You plan to say, "Mom, I appreciate you picking out clothes, but I'd really like to wear my blue shirt today."

Step 3: Communicate Clearly and Respectfully

Now it's time to speak up! When you talk, try to:

• Be clear: Say exactly what you mean. Don't hint or mumble.
• Be respectful: Use a calm voice. Don't yell or demand. Use polite words like "please" and "thank you."
• Be confident: Look at the person you are talking to. Stand up straight. This shows you are serious and believe in what you are saying.

Example: You look at your mom and say, "Mom, please may I wear my blue shirt today? I really like how it feels."

Practice Makes You Stronger!

Self-advocacy is a skill. The more you practice, the easier it becomes. Start with small things. It might feel a bit scary at first, but remember, your voice matters, and you have the right to share what you want and need.

Worksheet: My Family, My Voice

It can be hard to speak up, especially with family. This worksheet will help you think about what you want to say and how to say it.

Part 1: Identify What You Want or Need

Think about a situation with your family where you wish you could have done or chosen something different. It can be big or small.

Situation 1: What is something you want or need to speak up about with your family?

Situation 2: What is another thing you want or need to speak up about with your family?

Part 2: Plan Your Message

Let's take one of your situations from Part 1. Write down your plan.

My chosen situation is about:

Who do I need to talk to about this? (e.g., Mom, Dad, Brother, Aunt)

When is a good time to talk to them? (e.g., after dinner, when we are alone, during a quiet moment)

What words will I use? Try to keep it clear and simple. Write down exactly what you will say.

Part 3: Communicate Clearly

Think about what you just wrote. Imagine yourself saying it. How will you make sure you are clear and respectful?

How will I keep my voice calm and respectful?

What will I do to show I am confident and serious? (e.g., look at them, stand tall)

Discussion: Family Scenarios

Let's talk about some common situations that might happen in a family. For each one, think about:

1. What would you want or need in this situation? (Identify)
2. How would you plan to talk about it? (Plan)
3. What would you say, and how would you say it respectfully? (Communicate)

Scenario 1: Dinner Choices

Your family usually decides what to eat for dinner without asking you. Tonight, they've decided on fish, but you really don't like fish and would prefer chicken.

How would you advocate for yourself to have chicken instead of fish?

Scenario 2: Weekend Plans

Your family has planned for everyone to go to your aunt's house this Saturday. You appreciate seeing family, but you were really hoping to spend Saturday morning quietly reading your book or playing a video game.

How would you respectfully share your desire for some quiet time on Saturday?

Scenario 3: Your Schedule

Your family often tells you about appointments or activities just before they happen, giving you little time to prepare or adjust. You'd like to have more notice about your schedule.

How would you ask your family for more advance notice about your plans or appointments?

Activity: Role-Playing Advocacy

Now it's time to practice! We will act out some situations where you can use your new self-advocacy skills.

How it Works:

1. Choose a Scenario: You can pick one of the situations you wrote about in your Worksheet: My Family, My Voice, or one of the Family Scenarios we just discussed.
2. Assign Roles: I will play the part of the family member (Mom, Dad, etc.), and you will play yourself.
3. Practice: Try to use the three steps we learned:
   • Identify: What do you want or need in this situation?
   • Plan: How will you approach the family member?
   • Communicate: Say what you want clearly, calmly, and respectfully.

After Each Role-Play:

We will talk about how it went. We will think about:

• What felt good?
• What was challenging?
• What could be done differently next time?

This is a safe space to practice, so don't worry about being perfect! Every time you try, you get better.

Let's choose our first scenario to practice!

(Teacher will provide feedback here after each role-play)

Answer Key: Self-Advocacy Check

Here are the answers and explanations for the quiz questions.

1. In your own words, what does self-advocacy mean?

Correct Answer: Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself, your wants, and your needs. It's about communicating your ideas, feelings, and choices to others, especially when it concerns your own life.

Reasoning: This question assesses the student's core understanding of the definition of self-advocacy. The answer should reflect the idea of using one's own voice to express personal desires and requirements.

2. Why is it important to advocate for yourself, especially with family?

Correct Answer: It helps you feel more independent and builds stronger relationships.

Reasoning: Self-advocacy with family leads to greater personal autonomy and fosters open, honest communication, strengthening relationships. The other options are either incorrect or incomplete.

3. List the three main steps of self-advocacy that we discussed today.

Correct Answer:

1. Identify: Knowing what you want or need.
2. Plan: Thinking about how you will say it and when.
3. Communicate: Actually speaking up clearly and respectfully.

Reasoning: These are the core steps emphasized throughout the lesson, providing a clear framework for practicing self-advocacy.

4. You want to tell your dad that you would like to choose a different TV show tonight. When is the best time to talk to him?

Correct Answer: When he is calm and has a moment to listen.

Reasoning: Choosing an appropriate time when the family member is receptive and not distracted or stressed increases the likelihood of a positive outcome. The other options describe times when communication would be difficult or unwelcome.

5. What are two things you should try to do when you are communicating your message to a family member?

Correct Answer: (Any two of the following, or similar ideas)

• Be clear (say exactly what you mean)
• Be respectful (use a calm voice, polite words)
• Be confident (look at the person, stand tall)

Reasoning: Effective communication in self-advocacy relies on clear, respectful, and confident delivery to ensure the message is understood and taken seriously.

Cool-Down: One Step Forward

We talked a lot today about speaking up for yourself with your family. It's a big step, and it takes practice!

For your cool-down, think about this:

What is one small thing you will try to advocate for yourself about with your family this week?

(It could be about food, an activity, or something else that matters to you.)

Great job today! Remember, your voice matters!