Lesson Plan for Senior Secondary 1 - Health Education - Assertive Communication Skills

### Lesson Plan: Assertive Communication Skills #### Class: Senior Secondary 1 #### Subject: Health Education #### Duration: 60 minutes #### Topic: Assertive Communication Skills --- #### Objectives: 1. Understand the concept of assertive communication. 2. Identify the differences between assertive, passive, aggressive, and passive-aggressive communication styles. 3. Develop and demonstrate assertive communication techniques. --- #### Materials Needed: - Whiteboard and markers - Projector and computer - Handouts with communication scenarios - Role-play cards - Note-taking materials for students --- #### Lesson Outline: **1. Introduction (10 minutes)** - **Icebreaker Activity (5 minutes):** Ask students to think of a time when they had difficulty expressing themselves. Have them share their experiences in pairs or small groups. - **Objective Overview (5 minutes):** Explain the importance of assertive communication in personal and professional life. Briefly mention how it can improve relationships and self-confidence. --- **2. Teaching the Concept (15 minutes)** - **Definition and Importance (5 minutes):** Define assertive communication: "A style in which individuals express their thoughts, feelings, and needs directly, honestly, and respectfully." - **Communication Styles (5 minutes):** Discuss and define the four main communication styles: Passive, Aggressive, Passive-Aggressive, and Assertive. - **Passive:** Avoiding eye contact, giving in, soft voice - **Aggressive:** Loud voice, interrupting, pointing fingers - **Passive-Aggressive:** Sarcastic, mumbling, rolling eyes - **Assertive:** Straight posture, clear and calm voice, making eye contact - **Comparative Analysis (5 minutes):** Use a chart on the whiteboard to compare these styles. Discuss how assertive communication balances respect for both yourself and others. --- **3. Demonstration and Practice (20 minutes)** - **Role-Playing Scenarios (10 minutes):** Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a scenario involving a communication challenge (e.g., handling peer pressure, asking for help with homework). Ask each group to role-play both assertive and non-assertive responses. - **Group Discussion (5 minutes):** Have each group discuss the outcomes of their role-plays with the class. What went well? What could be improved? - **Skill Practice (5 minutes):** Teach key phrases that can help in developing assertive responses, such as "I feel…", "I need…", and "I would like…". --- **4. Application and Reflection (10 minutes)** - **Personal Reflection (5 minutes):** Ask students to write a brief reflection on a situation in their own lives where they could have used assertive communication. How would they handle it differently now? - **Group Sharing (5 minutes):** Encourage a few volunteers to share their reflections and any insights they gained from the role-playing activity. --- **5. Conclusion and Homework (5 minutes)** - **Summary of Key Points (3 minutes):** Recap the day's lesson, emphasizing the benefits of assertive communication and the key phrases introduced. - **Homework Assignment (2 minutes):** Assign a brief homework task where students write a letter or dialogue using assertive communication to address a hypothetical problem at school or with a peer. --- **Assessment:** - Participation in role-playing activity - Personal reflection writing - Homework assignment completion and quality --- **Differentiation:** - Provide additional support and examples for students who may struggle with understanding the different communication styles. - Offer more complex scenarios for advanced students to analyze and respond to. --- **Extension Activities:** - Invite a guest speaker, such as a school counselor or communication expert, to discuss the real-world application of assertive communication skills. - Arrange a follow-up workshop focusing on conflict resolution using assertive communication. --- **Teacher's Notes:** - Monitor group dynamics during role-play to ensure all students engage meaningfully. - Encourage respectful feedback during group discussions and personal sharing sessions. - Adjust timing as necessary based on class size and student participation levels. ---