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Your Voice, Your Power

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Lesson Plan

Your Voice, Your Power

Students will be able to define self-advocacy, identify situations where it is needed, and practice basic strategies for advocating for their needs effectively.

Understanding and practicing self-advocacy helps students navigate challenges, communicate effectively, and build confidence in various aspects of their lives, from school to personal relationships.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and practical application.

Materials

Smartboard or projector, Self-Advocacy Power-Up Slide Deck, Advocate Action Plan Worksheet, and Pens/Pencils

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What is Self-Advocacy?

5 minutes

  • Begin with a brief discussion: "What does it mean to speak up for yourself?"
    - Introduce the term 'self-advocacy' using Self-Advocacy Power-Up Slide Deck (Slide 2).
    - Ask students to share examples of when they might need to advocate for themselves (e.g., in class, with friends, at home).

Step 2

Why is Self-Advocacy Important?

5 minutes

Step 3

How to Be a Self-Advocate

10 minutes

  • Present key strategies for self-advocacy using Self-Advocacy Power-Up Slide Deck (Slides 4-6).
    - Knowing Your Needs
    - Clear Communication
    - Asking for Help
    - Provide a simple scenario and ask students how they would advocate for themselves (e.g.,

Step 4

Activity: Advocate Action Plan

8 minutes

  • Distribute the Advocate Action Plan Worksheet.
    - Instruct students to work individually or in pairs to complete the worksheet, identifying a personal scenario and outlining how they would advocate for themselves.
    - Circulate and offer support/guidance.

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Share

2 minutes

  • Invite a few volunteers to briefly share their scenarios and advocacy plans from the Advocate Action Plan Worksheet.
    - Reiterate the main takeaway: Everyone has the right and ability to advocate for themselves.
    - Conclude by encouraging students to practice these skills.
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Slide Deck

Your Voice, Your Power: Self-Advocacy

💪 What does it mean to speak up for yourself?
🤔 Why is it important?

Welcome students and introduce the topic of the day. Ask them what comes to mind when they hear 'speaking up for yourself.'

What is Self-Advocacy?

➡️ Self-advocacy means understanding your own needs and speaking up for yourself to get what you need.

It's about:

  • Knowing your rights.
  • Communicating clearly.
  • Making your voice heard.

Introduce the formal definition of self-advocacy. Emphasize that it's about communicating needs and rights.

Why is Self-Advocacy Important?

✨ It empowers you!

  • Gets your needs met.
  • Helps you solve problems.
  • Builds confidence.
  • Improves relationships.

🤔 Why is it sometimes hard to advocate for yourself?

Discuss the benefits of self-advocacy and open a brief discussion about why it can sometimes be challenging.

Strategy 1: Know Your Needs

❓ What do you need?

  • Before you can speak up, you need to understand what you want or need to happen.
  • Think about: What's the problem? What's my goal? How do I feel?

Example: You don't understand a math concept. Your need is to get extra help.

Introduce the first key strategy: Knowing your needs. Provide examples relevant to students.

Strategy 2: Communicate Clearly

🗣️ Speak up respectfully and directly.

  • Use "I" statements: "I need...", "I feel...", "I would like..."
  • Be specific about what you need.
  • Choose the right time and place to talk.

Example: Instead of "This class is too hard!", try "I'm struggling with the new algebra unit, and I need some extra explanation after class."

Introduce the second strategy: Clear Communication. Stress the importance of being respectful and direct.

Strategy 3: Ask for Help

🤝 It's okay to ask for support!

  • Identify who can help you (teacher, parent, counselor, friend).
  • Clearly explain your situation and what kind of help you're looking for.

Example: "Mom, I'm feeling overwhelmed with my homework. Can we sit down and make a plan together?"

Introduce the third strategy: Asking for Help. Explain that it's a sign of strength.

Practice Makes Progress!

➡️ Self-advocacy is a skill you develop over time.
✨ Every time you speak up for yourself, you grow stronger.

You have the power to make your voice heard!

Conclude by reminding students that self-advocacy is a skill they can develop and practice.

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Worksheet

Advocate Action Plan

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Part 1: Identify Your Need

Think of a situation where you might need to advocate for yourself. This could be at school, with friends, or at home.

  1. Describe the situation: What is happening? Who is involved?












  2. What is your specific need or goal in this situation? What do you want to happen, or what do you need to change?







  3. How do you feel about this situation? (e.g., frustrated, confused, overwhelmed, unheard)




Part 2: Plan Your Advocacy Steps

Using the strategies we discussed (Know Your Needs, Communicate Clearly, Ask for Help), outline your plan.

  1. Who can help you in this situation, or who do you need to talk to?




  2. What will you say? Write down an "I" statement or a clear sentence that expresses your need.












  3. When and where would be a good time and place to have this conversation?




  4. What is one challenge you anticipate, and how might you respond to it?







Part 3: Reflection

  1. Why is it important for you to advocate for yourself in this specific situation?












  2. What did you learn today about using your voice effectively?







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Your Voice, Your Power • Lenny Learning