Flexible Manufacturing
Workplace Communication
Lesson Plan
Performance Objective
After completing this lesson, students will be able to demonstrate the different types of communication used
in manufacturing. Students will accomplish this objective by completing the worksheets and making a twominute presentation that matches the criteria in the presentation rubric.
Specific Objectives
 Understand the different types of communication used in manufacturing
 Correctly write and present both written and oral communication
Terms






Business Letter- formal communication used between two parties
Memorandum- a short, quick, and clear form of communication
Report- technical communication used to produce the product
Telephone- a quick form of communication used to gather information
Face-to-Face Meeting- formal gathering to discuss all aspects of production
Presentation- formal group meeting to share information
Time
This lesson should take 55-65 minutes to teach and for students to begin the writing assignment.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations
This lesson, as published, correlates to the following TEKS. Any changes/alterations to the activities may result
in the elimination of any or all of the TEKS listed.
Flexible Manufacturing
130.327 (c)
 (3) The student applies academic skills to the requirements of metal materials. The student is
expected to:
o (A) demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills with individuals from varied
cultures, including fellow workers, management, and customers.
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Interdisciplinary Correlations
English Language Arts and Reading, English II
 110.32 (b)
o (15) Writing/Expository and Procedural Texts. Students write expository and procedural or workrelated texts to communicate ideas and information to specific audiences for specific purposes.
Students are expected to:
(B) write procedural or work-related documents (e.g., instructions, e-mails, correspondence,
memos, project plans) that include:
(i) organized and accurately conveyed information;
(ii) reader-friendly formatting techniques; and
(iii) anticipation of readers' questions; and
(D) produce a multimedia presentation (e.g., documentary, class newspaper, docudrama,
infomercial, visual or textual parodies, theatrical production) with graphics, images, and sound
that conveys a distinctive point of view and appeals to a specific audience.
Occupational Correlation
Reference: O*Net – www.onetonline.org/
Job Title: Manufacturing Engineers
O*Net Number: 17-2199.04
Reported Job Titles: Manufacturing Engineer, Manufacturing Director, Manufacturing Engineering Manager,
Process Engineer, Facility Engineer, Plant Engineer
Tasks
 Communicate manufacturing capabilities, production schedules, or other information to facilitate
production processes.
 Train production personnel in new or existing methods.
 Identify opportunities or implement changes to improve products or reduce costs using knowledge of
fabrication processes, tooling and production equipment, assembly methods, quality control
standards, or product design, materials and parts.
Soft Skills
 Reading Comprehension
 Speaking
 Complex Problem Solving
 Judgment and Decision Making
Accommodations for Learning Differences
It is important that lessons accommodate the needs of every learner. These lessons may be modified to
accommodate your students with learning differences by referring to the files found on the Special
Populations page of this website.
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Preparation
 Review and familiarize yourself with the terminology, website links, and the Workplace Communication
slide presentation.
 Have materials, slide presentation, and websites ready prior to the start of the lesson.
References
 Wright, R. T. (2004). Manufacturing and automation technology. Materials and Manufacturing (3, pp.
66). Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Wilcox.
 Wright, R. T. (2004). Manufacturing and automation technology. Separating Processes (12, pp. 186187). Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Wilcox.
 Wright, R. T. (2004). Manufacturing and automation technology. Finishing Processes (15, pp. 227 and
230). Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Wilcox.
 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/file
 http://dictionary.reference.com
 http://www.osha.gov
Instructional Aids
 Workplace Communication slide presentation and notes
 Memorandum Worksheet
 Product Presentation Worksheet
Introduction
The main purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the different types of communication used in
manufacturing.
Ask

Have you ever thought about the importance of communication in manufacturing?

Why do you think it is important to communicate clearly in manufacturing?

What type of language should be used in communicating in manufacturing?

We will look at the different types of communication used in the manufacturing industry.
Ask
Ask
Say
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Outline
MI
OUTLINE
I.
Introduce and start lesson
A. Workplace communication
B. Professional language
II.
Discuss the types of communication
A. Management to employee
B. Employee to management
C. Customer to management
D. Management to customer
III.
Communication in manufacturing
A. Written
B. Oral
IV.
Assignments
A. Write two memos
B. Present two-minute product
presentation
NOTES TO TEACHER
Begin the Workplace
Communication slide
presentation. Discuss the
title and general information
Slides 1-3
Discuss the types of
communication
Slides 4-8
Continue with
communication in
manufacturing.
Slides 9-12
Distribute
 Memorandum
Worksheet
 Product Presentation
Worksheet
Slide 13
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Multiple Intelligences Guide
Existentialist
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Kinesthetic/
Bodily
Logical/
Mathematical
Musical/Rhythmic
Naturalist
Verbal/Linguistic
Visual/Spatial
Application
Guided Practice
The teacher will demonstrate the product presentation. The students will write two memorandums and
present a simple presentation on a manufactured product.
Independent Practice
The student will complete the Memorandum Worksheet. The student will complete Product Presentation
Worksheet and practice giving their product presentation.
Summary
Review
The student will be able to correctly demonstrate both written and oral communications used in
manufacturing.
Evaluation
Informal Assessment
The teacher will observe the student working on their product presentation.
Formal Assessment
The teacher will assess student worksheets and presentations using the Presentation Rubric.
Enrichment
Extension
Students will be expected to use proper communication skills on a daily basis while in the class.
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Name ______________________________________________
Date _____________ Period ________
Memorandum Worksheet
In the two memorandum templates below, you will write two short messages. The first will be written from the
perspective of the management. You will write to all of your employees explaining an afternoon meeting about a
safety award that the company just received. The second is from an employee’s perspective. Ask your manager for
an afternoon off for a special program at your son’s school.
MEMO
FROM____________________________
MEMO
FROM____________________________
DATE______________ TIME __________
DATE______________ TIME __________
TO _______________________________
TO _______________________________
PHONE ___________________________
PHONE ___________________________
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Name _________________________________________________
Date _____________ Period ______
Product Presentation Worksheet
Fill in the product information in the spaces below. This worksheet will be used as a grade sheet during the
presentation. The presentation should be two minutes in length. The product should be shown and its use
should be explained.
Product Name ___________________________________________________________________________
Product Cost ___________________ Purchased From __________________________________________
Product Use _____________________________________________________________________________
Product Specifications _____________________________________________________________________
Presentation Rubric
Length of Presentation is two Minutes
Presentation Covered the Requirements
Presenter Looks at the Audience
Proper Grammar and Spelling Used
________-5 Points per every 30 seconds short
____Yes ____ No 20 point
____Yes ____ No 20 point
____Yes ____ No -1 point each error
Total Points
Teacher’s Comments ______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
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