Speak Up Lesson Plan Speak Up!
Self-Advocacy Skills Lesson Plan
7th Grade • 45 Minutes
Objective
Students will be able to define self-advocacy, identify situations where self-advocacy is necessary, and practice using self-advocacy statements to express their needs and boundaries effectively.
Why it Matters
Learning self-advocacy empowers students to take an active role in their own lives, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met, building confidence and healthy relationships.
Teacher Preparation
Review the lesson plan and all linked materials.
Prepare presentation technology for the Self-Advocacy Slide Deck .
Print out the Warm-Up: Speak Your Mind! for each student.
Familiarize yourself with the Self-Advocacy Script for smooth delivery.
Ensure a space for group discussions and role-play activities.
Time Required: 15 minutes prep.
Materials
Self-Advocacy Slide Deck
Self-Advocacy Script
Warm-Up: Speak Your Mind!
Scenario Role-Play Activity
Discussion Guide Handout
My Self-Advocacy Pledge
Instructional Sequence
5 MIN
Warm-Up: Speak Your Mind!
Distribute the handout. Ask students to quickly jot down their thoughts on expressing themselves. Briefly discuss a few responses to set the stage for finding their voice.
10 MIN
Introduction to Self-Advocacy
Use the Slide Deck and Script to define self-advocacy. Engage students with the "Why Self-Advocacy Matters" discussion prompts. Emphasize that it's about respectful assertion, not aggression.
15 MIN
What Self-Advocacy Looks Like
Explore components: identifying needs, expressing feelings, and setting boundaries. Introduce "I Statements" as a primary tool. Model the structure: "I feel [emotion] when [situation] because [reason]. I would like [solution]."
10 MIN
Activity: Scenario Role-Play
Divide students into small groups. Provide scenario handouts. Students brainstorm self-advocacy responses using "I statements" and practice role-playing. Circulate to provide feedback.
5 MIN
Cool-Down: My Pledge
Students reflect on one way they will practice self-advocacy this week. They write their pledge on the exit ticket provided. Collect these to check for understanding.
Self Advocacy Slide Deck Speak Up!
Self-Advocacy Skills for Success
What is it?
It's about speaking up for yourself and your needs.
Knowing what you need
Expressing thoughts clearly
Asking for help when needed
"Self-advocacy means being your own best advocate and standing up for your rights respectfully."
Why does it matter?
At School
Asking for clarification on assignments, getting accommodations, or requesting more time.
With Friends
Setting boundaries, expressing discomfort, and resolving conflicts respectfully.
At Home
Communicating your needs to your family and advocating for your personal space.
For Your Future
Building confidence and taking control of your own success and well-being.
The 5 Keys
1
Know Your Needs
Understand what YOU want or need.
2
Clear Speech
Express yourself with respect.
3
Active Listening
Hear others' perspectives too.
4
Set Boundaries
Define what is okay and not okay.
5
I Statements
The ultimate tool for advocacy.
The Power of "I"
INSTEAD OF:
"You always interrupt me!"
Sounds Accusatory
TRY:
"I feel frustrated when I am interrupted because I lose my train of thought. I would like to finish what I'm saying."
Clear & Respectful
Time to Practice!
In your small groups:
1 Read the scenarios on your handout.
2 Brainstorm "I Statements" for the characters.
3 Role-play the situation!
Goal:
Speak up respectfully and clearly using your new tools!
Your Pledge
"Every time you speak up for your needs respectfully, you are building a stronger, more confident YOU!"
Think of ONE way you'll practice self-advocacy this week. Write it down on your exit ticket!
Self Advocacy Script Self-Advocacy Script
Speak Up! Lesson Facilitation Guide
TEACHER RESOURCE
01
Warm-Up: Speak Your Mind! (5 mins)
SAY: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Let's kick off our class today with a quick warm-up. I've handed out a sheet for you called 'Warm-Up: Speak Your Mind!'. Please take a few moments to read the prompts and jot down your thoughts. There are no right or wrong answers, just what you genuinely think or feel. You have about 3 minutes for this."
(Allow students to complete the warm-up. Circulate and observe.)
SAY: "Alright, let's hear from a few of you. Who would like to share one of their responses or a thought that came to mind? Don't worry if it's not perfect, the goal is just to share."
(Facilitate a brief discussion, calling on 2-3 students.)
02
Introduction to Self-Advocacy (10 mins)
SAY: "Thank you for sharing! What we just did—sharing our thoughts and feelings—is actually a great lead-in to our topic today: self-advocacy. Self-advocacy, in simple terms, is about speaking up for yourself and your needs."
(Display Slide 2)
SAY: "It means understanding what you want or need, expressing your thoughts clearly, asking for help, and standing up for your rights respectfully. It's about being your own best advocate."
SAY: "Let's discuss: Why do you think it's important for YOU, as a 7th grader, to learn how to advocate for yourself? What benefits could it bring?"
03
What Self-Advocacy Looks Like (15 mins)
(Display Slide 3 & 4)
SAY: "Think about school, friends, or home. Self-advocacy shows up when you ask a teacher for help, set boundaries with a friend, or communicate needs to your family. There are five keys: Knowing your needs, clear communication, active listening, setting boundaries, and using 'I Statements'."
(Display Slide 5)
SAY: "Look at this example: Instead of 'You always interrupt me!' try 'I feel frustrated when I am interrupted because I lose my train of thought. I would like to finish what I'm saying.' See how it shifts focus to YOUR experience without attacking?"
04
Activity: Scenario Role-Play (10 mins)
(Display Slide 6)
SAY: "I'm dividing you into small groups. You'll receive a handout with scenarios. Brainstorm how the character can use 'I Statements' and then role-play the situation. Practice speaking up, listening, and respectfully asserting your needs."
05
Speak Your Mind Warm Up Worksheet Speak Your Mind!
Warm-Up Activity
Name:
Date:
Instructions: Read the prompts below and quickly write down your honest thoughts or feelings. There are no right or wrong answers!
1 Imagine you have a great idea for a class project, but you're a little shy. What might stop you from sharing it with your group or teacher?
2 Think about a time you wished you had said something but didn't. What was the situation?
3 What does it mean to "Speak Up" for yourself? In your own words, describe what that looks like. Self Advocacy Discussion Handout Why Self-Advocacy Matters
Class Discussion Notes
Name:
Group Discussion
As we discuss as a class, use this space to jot down your thoughts or interesting points made by your classmates.
1. Why do you think it's important for YOU to learn how to advocate for yourself now, as a 7th grader?
2. What are some situations at school, with friends, or at home where speaking up for yourself could make a difference?
3. What might happen if you DON'T advocate for yourself when you need to? Scenario Role-Play Handout Scenario Role-Play
Putting Self-Advocacy into Action
Team Names:
Instructions: Work in small groups. Read each scenario and discuss how the character could use self-advocacy skills, especially "I statements." Choose one to role-play!
Scenario 1 The Group Project Dilemma
"Your group for a science project isn't pulling their weight. You've done most of the research, and the deadline is fast approaching. You feel stressed because you don't want your grade to suffer."
How can you advocate for yourself?
What "I Statement" could you use?
Scenario 2 The Loud Friend
"You're trying to concentrate on your homework in the library, but your friend is talking very loudly on their phone. You like your friend, but the noise is making it impossible to focus."
How can you respectfully ask them to lower their voice?
What "I Statement" could you use?
Scenario 3 Unfair Chores
"At home, you feel like you're doing more chores than your siblings. You have less time for your hobbies, and it feels unfair. You're starting to feel resentful."
How can you talk to your parents about this?
What "I Statement" could you use?
Scenario 4 Misunderstood in Class
"Your teacher explained an assignment, but now you're completely confused. You're worried about asking for help because you don't want to look like you weren't paying attention."
How can you get the clarification you need?
What "I Statement" could you use to approach your teacher?
Role Play Planner
Choose one scenario to practice. Briefly outline your roles and key lines below.
SCENARIO #
My Self Advocacy Pledge Ticket My Self-Advocacy Pledge
Personal Action Plan
Name:
"Every time you speak up for your needs respectfully, you are building a stronger, more confident YOU!"
I will practice self-advocacy this week by...
Why is this important to me?
I Have a Voice
Please hand this in as you leave the classroom.
