Showing posts with label communication skills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label communication skills. Show all posts

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Learning how to be Bully Free: Middle school communication skills lesson plans



To help promote students learning anti-bullying techniques, here are five (5) communication skills lesson plans appropriate for grades five to eight.

Each lesson includes nine sections:

Section 1: Lesson Objectives
Section 2: K-W-L MODEL discussion (‘K’ and ‘W’ questions)
Section 3: Vocabulary
Section 4: Story
Section 5: Popcorn Review
Section 6: Role-Play
Section 7: Bloom’s Taxonomy discussion questions
Section 8: Writing assignment
Section 9: K-W-L MODEL discussion (‘L’ questions)

These field-tested lessons are totally self-contained. They come with teaching posters and role-play downloads – all for FREE. Everything you need is there for you simply by clicking on the links. Feel free to copy and paste them onto your computer so that you can use them with your classroom students.

One of the ways students learn about character education techniques, conflict resolution strategies, and anti-bullying processes is to try them on for size. Through the use of engaging stories and fun role-plays about realistic middle school students, young people start to incorporate the concepts taught in each lesson.

These lessons were all utilized in a class called ‘Communication Skills’. The author, Debbie Dunn, taught over 500 middle school students (Grades 5-8) a year for five years until a budget-cut eliminated many of the school’s special extracurricular programs. During that time period, she created over 3000 pages of curriculum based on real middle school conflict resolution and anti-bullying issues.

For the benefit of middle school students, middle school teachers, guidance counselors, and concerned parents, the author posts many of these lesson plans on Examiner.com. Feel free to subscribe to Debbie Dunn’s school conflict resolution Examiner page should you wish to keep abreast of each lesson as it gets posted.

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Communication skills Lesson Plan (Grades 5-8): Dennis Learns about Responsible Reporting
Story Description: Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach about the need for using good communication skills in the classroom. This story called “Dennis Learns about Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling” illustrates the importance of following class rules, being respectful to the teacher and your fellow classmates, maintaining your classroom as a safe zone from put-downs, and learning the difference between responsible reporting versus tattling or snitching.
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Communication skills Lesson Plan (Grades 5-8): Fred learns to make Good Observations
Story Description: Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach about the need for using good communication skills when interacting with other people. This story called “Fred learns to make Good Observations” illustrates the importance of making good observations about when it is your turn to talk and when you should be simply listening or keeping quiet.

Additional Note: Making good observations of when it is a good time for you to talk to others and when you should be simply listening is an extremely good character trait to have. That is part of having good Self Control. It also demonstrates a lot of Respect for others when you wait your turn to talk and only speak on related topics

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Communication skills Lesson Plan (Grades 5-8): Goofy Jane
Story Description: Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach about the need for using good communication skills when interacting with other people. This comic story called “Goofy Jane” demonstrates the pitfalls that can happen when you do not follow the simple rules of being a good communicator. Eighteen-year-old Jane is training to be a singer, dancer, and actress so she can become a Hollywood movie star. She nearly blows her chance to fulfill her dream as she breaks every communication skill rule with a Hollywood agent by the name of Mr. Headworthy. Read the role-play called “Goofy Jane” to find out what happens.
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Communication skills Lesson Plan (Grades 5-8): Josh Takes a Risk
Story Description: Imagine your teacher expects each student in the room to give a speech or perform a story. You, however, are feeling nervous or reluctant to perform. That’s the way that a boy named Josh felt.

Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach about importance of making eye contact with others when you do public speaking.

As you may be aware, many students would rather eat nails than get up in front of their classmates to do any kind of public speaking. Making eye contact with your teacher and the other students in the room is one technique that really helps build your comfort level in the long run. A boy named Josh did not believe that making eye contact could actually help him build his comfort level; however, when he finally took the risk to try it out, he found it actually worked for him as well.

This story called “Josh Takes a Risk” illustrates the importance of making eye contact with your teacher and your classmates when you give a public speaking speech or performance.

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Communication skills Lesson Plan (Grades 5-8): Little Red-Riding-Hood and Omega Wolf Bert
Story Description: Here is a modern version of an old favorite called “Little Red-Riding-Hood and Omega Wolf Bert.” The story teaches the importance of finding common ground between two opposing forces, empathy, using your survival instincts to help you through dangerous situations, the unpleasantness of name-calling, and the importance of making sincere apologies for wrong intentions and wrong-doing.

Frequently, other kids call Connie Blake by the name of Little Red-Riding-Hood because she regularly wears a red cloak. On her way to bringing muffins to her sick granny, she met an Omega Wolf by the name of Bert. Hoping to be more popular with his wolf pack, Bert hatches a plan to capture Connie. Will Connie survive?

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Resources
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Monday, September 5, 2011

Communication Skills Lesson Plans 1 to 5 for Middle School Students

Communication Skills Lesson Plans 1 to 5 for Middle School Students

Do you wish to teach your middle school students about using good communication skills techniques? Students will also learn the difference between responsible reporting and tattling or snitching. Click on the link at the bottom of this blog to get access to all five lesson plans that could help.

Communication Skills Lesson Plan (Grades 4-8) – Fred learns to make Good Observations

Communication Skills Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8): Little Red-Riding-Hood and Omega Wolf Bert

Communication Skills Lesson Plan (Grades 4-8) – Goofy Jane

Communication Skills Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8): Josh Takes a Risk (grades 4-8)

Communication Skills Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8) – Dennis Learns about Responsible Reporting



Sunday, October 10, 2010

Best Review – Top 5 Communication Skills Lesson Plans (grades 6 to 8)


Do you wish to teach your middle school students about using good communication skills techniques? Students will also learn the difference between responsible reporting and tattling or snitching. Here are the links to five lesson plans that could help.

Click COMMUNICATION SKILLS to visit these top five Communication Skills lesson plans at Best-Reviewer.com.

Click TOP TEN REVIEWER should you wish to post a top ten reviewer site of your very own. This site was created by James Colin from Best-Reviewer.com and She Told Me.com.

You can view the rest of my reviews by clicking Debbie Dunn’s Most Recent Tops.

Join Best-Reviewer.com with Debbie Dunn as your referrer!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Info 101: 5 Communication Skills lesson plans for middle school


Do you wish to teach your middle school students about using good communication skills techniques? Students will also learn the difference between responsible reporting and tattling or snitching. Here are the links to five lesson plans that could help.

Click COMMUNICATION SKILLS to read the entire article on Examiner.com.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Negotiation, Mediation, and Arbitration Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)


This is the Lesson Plan Hub page for all role-plays and discussion activities focusing on Negotiation, Mediation, and Arbitration. Links to all twelve sections of the lesson are included.

Click NEGOTIATION, MEDIATION, & ARBITRATION to read the entire lesson plan on Examiner.com.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Fight or Flight Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8) – Thicken Your Skin to Put-Downs


This is the Lesson Plan Hub page for "Thicken Your Skin to Put-Downs." Links to all six sections of the lesson are included.

Click FIGHT OR FLIGHT to read the entire lesson plan posted on Examiner.com.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Bloom's Taxonomy Discussion Questions for Thicken Your Skin to Put-Downs


There are six levels in the Bloom's Taxonomy discussion question process. After reading "Thicken Your Skin to Put-Downs," the teacher will ask questions from all six levels.

Click FIGHT OR FLIGHT to read the entire article on Examiner.com.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Group Role-Plays that Solve the Problem


After students have participated in the role-play called “Thicken Your Skin to Put-Downs,” the class will create some group role-plays that solve the problem of being put down by others

Click FIGHT OR FLIGHT to read the entire article on Examiner.com.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Fight or Flight role-play: Thicken Your Skin to Put-Downs


Visit this page to get the link to the PDF file for the scripted role-play to print for classroom use called “Thicken Your Skin to Put-Downs.”

A. Students participate in scripted role-play called “Thicken Your Skin to Put-Downs.”

Story Description: Wayne and Melinda are tired of being put down. They both decide to use some humorous retorts to help them defuse the conflict. The humorous retorts are so successful that they start teaching these techniques to some of their friends. Perhaps some of these ideas will work for you and your friends as well.

Click FIGHT OR FLIGHT to read and download the role-play on Examiner.com.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Fight or Flight Hub page for Thicken Your Skin to Put-Downs


Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach your students some potential humorous retorts they can use when other kids attempt to put them down. It might just help them to thicken their skin to put-downs. Wayne and Melinda are tired of being put down. They both decide to use some humorous retorts to help them defuse the conflict. The humorous retorts are so successful that they start teaching these techniques to some of their friends. Perhaps some of these ideas will work for you and your friends as well. The humorous retorts used in this story came from an actual Chicago social worker who worked at a school for unwed girls. I met her on a cruise we both took. She shared with me several ideas to help kids thicken their skin to put-downs.

A. Teacher reads story to the class called “Thicken Your Skin to Put-Downs.”

B. Story Description: Wayne and Melinda are tired of being put down. They both decide to use some humorous retorts to help them defuse the conflict. The humorous retorts are so successful that they start teaching these techniques to some of their friends. Perhaps some of these ideas will work for you and your friends as well.

Links to all 4 chapters for Thicken Your Skin to Put-Downs

Chapter 1: Introducing Lucas and Wayne

Chapter 2: Introducing Melinda, Aunt Sherry, and Tiffany

Chapter 3: Melinda spreads the word to Joyce and Wayne

Chapter 4: One more time with Lucas

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Examiner Bio Conflict Resolution 101: Microphone Usage & Role-Play Procedures


Classroom Set-Up Suggestions

Note to the Teacher: Here are several suggestions for an ideal classroom set-up to teach students to get comfortable with oral speaking, character education, and conflict resolution.

Click CLASSROOM SET-UP & MICROPHONE USAGE to read the entire article on Examiner.com.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Communication Skills Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8) – Dennis Learns about Responsible Reporting


This is the Lesson Plan Hub page for "Dennis Learns about Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling." Links to all eight sections of the lesson are included.

Click COMMUNICATION SKILLS to read the entire lesson plan on Examiner.com.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Communication Skills writing assignment: Dennis Learns about Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling


Instructional objective: Students will write about the six levels of the Bloom’s Taxonomy Discussion Questions for the Communication Skills tale called “Dennis Learns about Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling.”

Click COMMUNICATION SKILLS to read the entire article on Examiner.com.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Bloom's Taxonomy Discussion Questions for Dennis Learns about Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling


There are six levels in the Bloom's Taxonomy discussion question process. After reading "Dennis Learns about Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling," the teacher will ask questions from all six levels.

Click COMMUNICATION SKILLS to read the entire article on Examiner.com.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

K-W-L Model discussion for Dennis Learns about Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling or Snitching


Class will discuss the K & W of the K-W-L Model at beginning of lesson: What do you know and what do you want to know about responsible reporting versus tattling or snitching? At the end of the lesson, they will close with the L discussion: What have you learned about responsible reporting versus tattling or snitching?

Click COMMUNICATION SKILLS to read the entire article on Examiner.com.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Communication Skills role-play: Dennis Learns About Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling


Visit this page to get the link to the PDF file for the scripted role-play to print for classroom use called “Dennis Learns About Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling.”

A. Students participate in scripted role-play called “Dennis Learns About Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling .”

Story Description: This story called “Dennis Learns About Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling” illustrates the importance of following class rules, being respectful to the teacher and your fellow classmates, maintaining your classroom as a safe zone from put-downs, and learning the difference between responsible reporting versus tattling or snitching.

Click COMMUNICATION SKILLS to read and download the role-play on Examiner.com.

Teaching Notes for tale called Dennis Learns About Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling


Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach about the need for using good communication skills in the classroom. This story called “Dennis Learns About Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling ” illustrates the importance of following class rules, being respectful to the teacher and your fellow classmates, maintaining your classroom as a safe zone from put-downs, and learning the difference between responsible reporting versus tattling or snitching.

Note for Teacher: For an explanation of how to implement the techniques taught in this story and follow-up role-play, here are the articles that explain the process:
* Three essential Classroom Rules for any grade

* Positive and negative consequences for classroom behavior choices

Posters & Behavior Chart to print for classroom use
* Behavior Chart

* DICTIONARY DEFINITION FOR TALKING Display Poster

* 3 Classroom Rules Display Posters

* ‘I Message’ Sentence Starters Display Poster (Make certain this poster is on display during this story.)

Additional note to Teacher: This is a great story to use at the beginning of your class year. However, this is also a great story to use later in the year if you see that the students need to learn positive alternatives to tattling and snitching and how to re-create your classroom as a safe zone from put-downs.

A. Teacher reads story to the class called “Dennis Learns About Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling.”

B. Story Description: This story called “Dennis Learns About Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling ” illustrates the importance of following class rules, being respectful to the teacher and your fellow classmates, maintaining your classroom as a safe zone from put-downs, and learning the difference between responsible reporting versus tattling or snitching.

Link to Student Tale called “Dennis Learns About Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling”

Coming Soon
Return to Communication Skills Lesson Plan– Dennis Learns About Responsible Reporting Versus Tattling

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Mini Lesson Plan: Oscar the Outcast (grades 6-8)


After reading the Basic Needs story called “Oscar the Outcast Transforms to Oscar the Original,” students will take part in some follow-up activities to enhance the learning experience. Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach about the importance of being an advocate for someone who is viewed as being an outcast and loner. Oscar is a middle school student who is viewed as an outcast at his school. No one will sit with him. No one will be his friend. The only ones who talk to him are the bullies who constantly put him down and push him around. Oscar has no idea how to fix or change things for the better. Then one day, a new girl enters his homeroom.

Step 1: Read the story called “Oscar the Outcast Transforms to Oscar the Original.”

Tale Hub for Oscar the Outcast Transforms to Oscar the Original

Story Description: Oscar is a middle school student who is viewed as an outcast at his school. No one will sit with him. No one will be his friend. The only ones who talk to him are the bullies who constantly put him down and push him around. Oscar has no idea how to fix or change things for the better. Then one day, a new girl enters his homeroom.

Step 2: Have class participate in the role-play based on the story called “Oscar the Outcast Transforms to Oscar the Original.”

Basic Needs role-play: Oscar the Outcast Transforms to Oscar the Original

Step 3: Have class participate in discussion questions about this story.

Please note: All discussion questions are built into the story and the scripted role-play.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Basic Needs role-play: Oscar the Outcast Transforms to Oscar the Original


Visit this page to get the link to the PDF file for the scripted role-plays to print for classroom use. It is called “Oscar the Outcast Transforms to Oscar the Original.”

A. Students participate in scripted role-play called “Oscar the Outcast Transforms to Oscar the Original.”

Story Description: Oscar is a middle school student who is viewed as an outcast at his school. No one will sit with him. No one will be his friend. The only ones who talk to him are the bullies who constantly put him down and push him around. Oscar has no idea how to fix or change things for the better. Then one day, a new girl enters his homeroom.

Click BASIC NEEDS to read and download the role-play on Examiner.com.