Voice Power Discovery Plan Lesson Plan Voice Power Discovery Plan
Self-Advocacy Mastery Series
60 Minutes
Audience
Middle School SpEd Group
Approach
Interactive Reflection & Mapping
Goal
Empowered Self-Advocacy
Why This Matters
This lesson is foundational. It equips students with the skills to understand themselves better, communicate their needs, and take an active role in their education and life. By identifying strengths and challenges, students build the confidence needed for independence.
Teacher Preparation
1
Review the discovery plan and all linked instructional materials.
2
Set up projector for the Unleash Your Voice Deck.
3
Print: My Strengths & Supports Map (1 per student).
4
Print: Voice Power Reflection Prompts (1 per student).
Learning Objectives
"Students will be able to identify their unique strengths and challenges, understand the importance of self-advocacy, and begin to articulate their needs effectively."
Instructional Steps
10
Minutes
Introduction: What's Your Voice Power?
Display: Slide 1 from the deck.
Teacher Script: "Today, we're going to talk about something really important: finding your 'voice power.' This means understanding what makes you awesome, what helps you learn, and how to tell others what you need to succeed. It's like being the boss of your own learning journey!"
Prompt: "What do you think 'voice power' means? When have you used your voice to ask for something you needed?"
15
Minutes
Discovering Strengths
Display: Slide 3 ("Super Strengths!").
Brainstorm: List student-generated strengths on the board. Think academic, social, and personal.
Action: Distribute the My Strengths & Supports Map. Have students list 3-4 personal strengths.
15
Minutes
Identifying Challenges & Supports
Display: Slide 4 & 5. Explain that everyone has challenges—it's normal!
Discussion: Common middle school struggles (focus, group work, complex instructions).
Action: Students complete the "Challenges" and "Supports" section of their maps. Prompt them to think about who or what helps them overcome those specific challenges.
10
Minutes
Practicing Voice Power
Display: Slide 6 ("Using Your Voice!").
Role-Play: Present scenarios. Example: "You can't see the board well from your seat. How do you ask to move?" or "You don't understand the homework assignment. What do you say?"
05
Minutes
Self-Advocacy: Make Your Voice Heard!
Display: Slide 7. Emphasize that self-advocacy is a process—a growing superpower!
Question: "Why is it important to use your 'voice power' and advocate for yourself?"
05
Minutes
Reflection & Wrap-up
Action: Distribute Voice Power Reflection Prompts. Allow individual time for journaling. Explain this is private reflection.
Closing: Display Slide 8. Encourage them to use their voice this week!
Unleash Your Voice Deck Slide Deck Discover Your...
Voice Power
How can you use your voice to get what you need to succeed?
Self-Advocacy Series
Today's Mission:
1
Identify your unique strengths.
2
Recognize your learning challenges.
3
Discover helpful supports.
Start using your 'Voice Power'!
Super Strengths!
What are you good at?
What comes easily to you?
What do you enjoy doing?
Think about school, home, hobbies, and with friends!
Navigating Challenges
What are some things that are difficult for you?
Where do you sometimes struggle with learning or tasks?
Everyone has challenges – it's normal!
Awesome Supports!
Who or what helps you when you face a challenge?
Teacher or friend
Extra time
A quiet space
Step-by-step info
Using Your Voice!
Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself and what you need.
Step 1:
How do you ask for help?
Step 2:
How do you explain what works best?
Self-Advocacy Superpowers!
Know your Strengths
Know your Challenges
Know your Supports
Speak Up For You!
This helps you learn better and feel more confident!
Keep Going!
What's Your Voice Power?
Practice using your voice to ask for what you need.
Your voice is powerful!
My Strengths & Supports Map Activity My Strengths & Supports Map
Self-Advocacy Mission Guide
Name:
Date:
🌟 My Super Strengths!
Think about things you are really good at, things that come easily to you, or things you enjoy doing. Write down four of your strengths below.
🤔 My Challenges
Areas I'm working on. What are one or two things that are sometimes hard for you at school or during tasks?
Challenge A:
Challenge B:
🤝 My Awesome Supports!
Support for Challenge A:
What help, tool, or person makes Challenge A easier?
Support for Challenge B:
What help, tool, or person makes Challenge B easier?
🗣️ My Voice Power Plan
How will you use your voice to ask for one of your supports this week? What exactly will you say or do?
Voice Power Reflection Prompts Journal Sheet Voice Power
Reflection Prompts
Pilot:
Date:
Take some time to reflect on what you learned today about your strengths, challenges, and how to use your voice. This is your personal journal—be honest with yourself!
Prompt 1
Celebrating Your Strengths
What is one strength you discovered or remembered today that you are proud of? How does this strength help you in school or in your daily life?
Prompt 2
Understanding Your Needs
Think about a challenge you identified. What is one specific support that you think would really help you? Describe how that support would make a difference.
Prompt 3
Planning to Use Your Voice
Imagine a situation in the near future where you could use your "voice power" to ask for what you need. Describe the situation and what you would say or do.
Prompt 4
My Voice, My Future
Why do you think it is important to know how to advocate for yourself, not just now, but also in the future as you get older?
