Social Awareness – Grade 7 – Lesson 2
Objectives:
- Learn Confident and Effective Communication Skills: Students will develop the ability to communicate confidently, effectively expressing their thoughts and feelings while respecting others’ rights.
- Distinguish Between Passive, Aggressive, and Confident Communication Styles: Students will understand the differences between passive, aggressive, and confident communication styles and their impact on social interactions.
Introduction:
Prior to the lesson, direct students to observe and find examples of people engaging in different communication styles outside the classroom. Ask them to bring these examples to class as they will be utilized in one of the activities.
Effective interpersonal behavior is crucial for academic success and positive social interactions. In this lesson, we explore various communication styles – passive, aggressive, and confident – and focus on mastering the confident style. Using this approach will lead to successful interactions with others.
Activity 1: Communication Styles
Students should have the pictures they brought in depicting various types of communication. Alternatively, if they do not have pictures, you can provide visuals representing the communication styles being discussed.
If students brought in pictures, have them work in groups during the activity.
This lesson is focused on a valuable skill represented by the acronym BEST. This skill empowers you to interact in a manner that demonstrates respect for yourself and others. It can also be understood as “appropriately confident” communication. Remember, each one of us has the right to express ourselves at the right time, in the right place, and in a manner that shows consideration for others.
Explore Passive Communication:
This communication style is adopted by individuals who prioritize respecting others’ right of expression while neglecting their own right to express themselves. It can also be described as a submissive form of communication. When using passive communication, you may allow others to impose their will on you, make decisions on your behalf, or act hurtfully towards you without asserting your own needs or boundaries.
What does a passive or submissive form of communication look like? How do you know when you see it?
Request students to recognize images or photographs portraying individuals exhibiting passive forms of communication behaviors.
Examples may include:
- Not speaking up when unfairly accused of something
- Not approaching a friend who owes you money
- Letting a bully continue without saying anything to anyone
What are some potential negative consequences of acting in a passive way?
Examples may include:
- Not getting what you need
- Having difficulty keeping friends or making new ones because you are too quiet
- Having teachers think you haven’t done your work because you don’t speak up in class
Examine Aggressive Communication:
This communication style is employed by individuals who value their right to express their thoughts and feelings but do so in a manner that disregards the rights of others. This style is also known as bullying, as aggressive communication involves attempting to overpower or hurt others through communication.
What does an aggressive form of communication look like? How do you know when you see it?
Request students to recognize images or photographs portraying individuals exhibiting aggressive forms of communication behaviors.
Examples may include:
- Screaming and yelling at a teacher or principal when you feel you’ve been unfairly accused
- Threatening a friend or another student in a verbal or physical way
What are some potential negative consequences of acting in an aggressive way?
Examples may include:
- Develop a bad reputation around school with students and staff
- Have difficult keeping and making new friends
- Get into a fight at school which may result in getting hurt and suspended, in addition to consequences from parents/guardians
Introduce Confident Communication – BEST:
Confident communication entails expressing your thoughts and feelings in a manner that upholds not only your rights but also the rights of others. By using a confident communication style, you can effectively convey your message in a way that others can understand. This approach fosters a cooperative environment, encouraging others to collaborate with you to reach mutually agreeable solutions.
Display or Distribute the handout and explain its components.
Model communication styles:
Model various situations, using each communication style (passive, aggressive, and confident), and discuss the outcomes with the group. Focus on comparing and contrasting the styles to highlight their differences.
Explore different communication styles through role-playing scenarios.
Possible situations include:
Student Asking a Teacher a Question:
- Passive Communication Style: The student remains silent when they don’t understand the topic and avoids asking the teacher for clarification, fearing they might appear foolish in front of the class.
- Aggressive Communication Style: The student confronts the teacher with an accusatory tone, saying, “You never explain things clearly! This lesson is so confusing!”
- Confident Communication Style: The student politely raises their hand and asks, “Excuse me, could you please explain this concept again? I’m having trouble understanding it.”
Students Asking Each Other to Stop Bothering:
- Passive Communication Style: One student tolerates the bothersome behavior from their peer without speaking up or setting boundaries, hoping it will stop eventually.
- Aggressive Communication Style: The bothered student reacts aggressively by yelling, “Leave me alone! Stop bothering me, or else!”
- Confident Communication Style: The bothered student calmly addresses their peer, saying, “I appreciate spending time together, but I need some personal space right now. Could you please give me some time alone?”
Through these scenarios, students will better understand the different communication styles and their impact on interactions with others. They will learn the importance of using the confident communication style, which allows for effective expression while respecting the rights of both parties.
Activity 2: Practice BEST
Role-Play Scenarios:
Engage students in role-playing situations, such as making requests, discussing problems, or asking for favors. Encourage them to apply the BEST components during the role-plays. Provide positive corrective feedback to help students improve their confident communication style.
Scenario 1: Asking a Friend for Help with Homework
- Student A: (Passive Communication) Student A slouches with their head down and avoids eye contact. They mumble quietly, “Um, could you maybe, like, help me with this homework?”
- Student B: (Aggressive Communication) Student B stands too close to their friend, stares them down, and speaks in an intimidating tone, “You better help me with this homework right now!”
- Student C: (Confident Communication) Student C stands tall, makes comfortable eye contact, and speaks clearly, “Hey, I could use some help with this homework. Would you mind assisting me?”
Scenario 2: Giving a Presentation in Class
- Student X: (Passive Communication) Student X nervously fidgets with their notes, avoids looking at the audience, and speaks in a low, unsure voice, “Um, I guess this is my presentation, if that’s okay…”
- Student Y: (Aggressive Communication) Student Y forcefully gestures with their hands, glares at the audience, and speaks loudly and aggressively, “Listen up! You better pay attention to my presentation!”
- Student Z: (Confident Communication) Student Z maintains good posture, makes appropriate eye contact, and speaks with a clear and steady voice, “Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining my presentation. Let’s get started.”
Scenario 3: Resolving a Conflict with a Classmate
- Student P: (Passive Communication) Student P avoids making eye contact, speaks hesitantly, and tries to appease the classmate, “I mean, I guess you can have it your way if you really want…”
- Student Q: (Aggressive Communication) Student Q stands too close to their classmate, raises their voice, and points fingers, “You’re totally wrong, and you need to stop being so difficult!”
- Student R: (Confident Communication) Student R maintains a respectful distance, makes eye contact, and speaks assertively, “I understand your perspective, but let’s find a solution that works for both of us.”
Through these role-play scenarios, students can practice using the BEST model in various situations, reinforcing the importance of confident and respectful communication in their daily interactions.
Closing:
Reflect on Confident Communication:
Encourage students to write, tell, or draw a story about a situation where they could have used the BEST skill. Compare and contrast passive and aggressive reactions to a situation by assigning different communication styles to characters in the story.
Discuss the Impact of Communication Styles:
Explore how changing the communication style affects the situation’s outcome and potential consequences based on the communication approach used. Emphasize the importance of confidently expressing oneself while respecting others’ rights for successful social interactions.
- How does the situation change with a change in communication style?
- What might the consequences be based on the communication style used?
Lesson adapted from:
Social Decision Making/Social Problem Solving For Middle School Students: Skills And Activities For Academic, Social And Emotional Success (Book and CD)