Communication

Topic: Communication

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively in a variety of situations.

Materials

• Pen and paper for each student
• Examples of problematic communication situations (e.g. miscommunication via text message, mishearing a spoken word, misunderstanding a facial expression)

Warm-up

• Ask students to share a recent example of effective communication they experienced (e.g. talking to a friend about their day, asking for help in a clear and straightforward way).
• Ask students to share a recent example of ineffective communication they experienced (e.g. misunderstanding a friend's text message, not hearing a teacher clearly, misunderstanding a classmate's tone of voice).

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of effective and ineffective communication, and explain that the goal of communication is to understand each other clearly and effectively.
• Discuss the importance of using clear and appropriate language, listening carefully, and considering the other person's perspective.
• Show examples of appropriate and inappropriate language (e.g. using "you" instead of "I" to take responsibility for one's own actions, using "I'm sorry" as a way to apologize, using "I would like" to make a polite request).
• Demonstrate effective listening skills (e.g. making eye contact, nodding to show understanding, asking questions to clarify).

Guided Practice

• Divide the class into small groups and give each group a set of scenarios with different characters and scenarios.
• Have the groups discuss the scenarios and identify the most effective way to communicate in each situation.
• Have each group share their findings with the class, discussing why the chosen communication methods are more effective in each situation.
• Encourage the class to ask questions and give feedback on the different scenarios.

Independent Practice

• Have students work individually or in pairs to create their own scenarios for communicating effectively.
• Encourage students to consider different characters and scenarios and think about the most effective way to communicate in each situation.
• Have students share their scenarios with the class, explaining their choices and the reasons for their communication methods.

Closure

• Review the objectives and have students share one thing they learned about effective communication.
• Ask students to reflect on their own communication skills and how they can be more effective in different situations.

Assessment

• Observe students during the guided and independent practice activities to assess their understanding of the concept of effective communication.
• Collect and review the written reflections for evidence of improved communication skills.