Ms. Evangelista
Unit: Injury prevention and safety
Lesson topic: Injury prevention
Title: Developing communication characteristics
Grade level: 8th grade
Standards: Interpersonal communication
4.6. S Differentiate between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication.
4.5 S Describe characteristics of effective communication.
Instructional objectives:
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Following instruction the student will differentiate between passive, aggressive, and
assertive communication by naming the types of communication styles on a worksheet.
(Knowledge)
Following instruction the student will describe characteristics of effective communication
by role playing.
(Application)
Introductory set: (10 minutes)
1. Have the students write on their journal an occasion where they were really upset with
someone and how they resolved it?
2. Responses will be discussed during the activity
3. For today’s lesson, we will learn the different types of communication styles and ways to
effectively communicate our attitudes and feelings.
Step by step procedure:
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Begin class discussion with lecture #1.
Lecture will involve the use of a worksheet
Distribute the worksheet titled “Communication Styles” to the students
Explain the worksheet.
Begin discussing with the students about the 3 types of communication styles- Passive,
Aggressive, and Assertive (15 minutes)
After discussion, begin activity.
Give students (8 minutes) to identify the type of communication style on the worksheet.
Go over the answers of the worksheet
Move on to lecture #2
Lecture using PowerPoint slides: “5 ways to respectfully disagree” (10 minutes)
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After finishing the lecture, move on to activity (role play)
3 Students will be randomly chosen to share their journal response (10 minutes)
Based on the points that were covered during the lecture, they will decide if the way they
resolved their conflict was the best way. What could they have done better?
Students who share their responses will receive the participation points for the day.
Content outline:
According to teenshealth.org (Retrieved October 5, 2013)
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II.
Assertive communication is the ability to speak up for ourselves in a way that is honest
and respectful. Being assertive doesn't come naturally to everyone. Some people
communicate in a way that is too passive. Other people have a style that is
too aggressive. An assertive style is the happy medium between these two.
Here's what it means to be assertive:
a) You can give an opinion or say how you feel.
b) You can ask for what you want or need.
c) You can disagree respectfully.
d) You can offer your ideas and suggestions.
e) You can say no without feeling guilty.
f) You can speak up for someone else
Passive communication- People who are passive do not tend to stand up for what they
belief and do not value themselves. Here are some things that can influence people to act
too passively:
a) a lack of confidence in themselves or the value of their opinions
b) worrying too much about pleasing others or being liked
c) worrying whether others will disagree with or reject their ideas and opinions
d) feeling sensitive to criticism or hurt by past experiences when their ideas were
ignored or rejected
e) not developing the skills of being assertive
To work on being less passive and more assertive:
a) Pay attention to what you think, feel, want, and prefer.
b) Notice if you say "I don't know," "I don't care," or "it doesn't matter" when
someone asks what you want. Stop yourself. Practice saying what you'd
prefer, especially on things that hardly matter.
c) Give your opinion.
d) Practice using "I" statements such as: "I'd like..." "I prefer..." or "I feel..."
III.
Aggressive communication- People who comes across as too aggressive can find it
difficult to keep friends. They may dominate conversations or give their opinions too
boldly and forcefully, leaving others feeling put off or disrespected. People with an
aggressive style may get other people to do things their way, but many times they end up
being rejected or disliked. They often lose the respect of others
Things that can influence people to act too aggressively are:
a) being overconfident
b) focusing too much on getting their needs met and their opinions across
c) not learning to respect or consider other people's views or needs
d) not learning listening skills or how to ask for input from others
Characteristics of effective communication- “5 ways (Respectfully) Disagree”
1. Don't make it personal- If you get upset, remember you're mad at the idea or concept not
the person. This helps prevent arguments between people.
2. Avoid putting down the other person's ideas and beliefs. Instead of saying what you
might be thinking ("That's a stupid idea!"), try: "I don't agree, and here's why." Resist the
temptation to yell, use sarcasm, or make derogatory comments and you'll have a much
better chance of getting your point across.
3. Use "I" statements- I statement are useful to communicate how you feel, what you think,
and what you want or need. Using "you" statements can sound argumentative. For
example, telling your mom or dad, "You always remind me about my chores on
Wednesdays when you know I have a lot of homework" has a very different tone from
"I'm feeling pressured because I have a lot of homework tonight. Can I do those chores
tomorrow?"
4. Listen to the other point of view. Being a good listener is a way of showing that you
respect and understand the other person's perspective. That makes it more likely he or she
will do the same for you. When the other person is talking, try to stop yourself from
thinking about why you disagree or what you'll say next. Instead, focus on what's being
said. When it's your turn to talk, repeat any key points the other person made to show you
listened and heard what was said. Then calmly present your case and why you disagree.
5. Stay calm. This is the most important thing you can do to keep a conversation on track.
Of course, it's a huge challenge to stay calm and rational when you feel angry or
passionate about something — especially if the person you're talking to gets heated.
Materials:
-Communication styles worksheet
-Student journals
-PowerPoint slides
References
1. (2013). Teenshealth.org Retrieved October 5, 2013 from
http://teenshealth.org/teen/your_mind/friends/assertive.html#a_The_Trouble_With_Being_Too_
Aggressive
2. (2013). Teenshealth.og Retrieved October 5, 2013 from
http://teenshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/tips_disagree.html#cat20128
Conclusion of lesson:
Review the 3 types of communications styles passive, assertive, and aggressive and name the 5
ways to respectfully disagree with someone.
Time allotted: 57 minutes
Introductory set 10 minutes
Lecture #1
15 minutes
Activity #1
8 minutes
Lecture #2
10 minutes
Activity #2
10 minutes
Conclusion
4 minutes
Evaluation of objectives: