Voice Blueprint Lesson Plan Own Your Voice
Tier 3 Self-Advocacy Lesson Plan
Session 1
30 MIN
SESSION OBJECTIVE
The student will identify when they need support and practice using self-advocacy strategies (I-statements, requesting accommodations, asking for help, planning) to communicate needs in 70% of observed opportunities.
AUDIENCE & APPROACH
9th Grade Student: Tier 3 Individual Support.Approach: Model, practice, and reflect on self-advocacy strategies through direct instruction and role-play.
Preparation
Gather and print I-Statement Prompt Sheet, Scenario Cards, and Planning Worksheet.
Ensure a visible timer or clock is ready for pacing.
Review student’s individualized goals and previous notes.
Equipment Checklist
I-Statement Prompt Sheet
Scenario Cards
Planning Worksheet
Notebook or Paper
Pen or Pencil
Timer or Clock
Instructional Sequence
5 MIN
1 WARM-UP: CHALLENGE IDENTIFICATION
Ask the student to describe a recent academic or social challenge they faced.
Have the student jot down a one- or two-sentence description in their notebook.
Connect the challenge to the concept of needing support or assistance.
8 MIN
2 TEACHING INPUT: THE POWER OF "I"
Introduce the concept of self-advocacy and its importance for independence.
Present the I-Statement Prompt Sheet and explain how it structures feelings, needs, and requests.
Model: Craft an I-statement for a sample challenge (e.g., "I feel overwhelmed when homework instructions are unclear. Could you please clarify them?").
8 MIN
3 GUIDED PRACTICE: STRATEGY SORT
Shuffle and draw a card from Self-Advocacy Scenario Cards .
Ask the student to identify which strategy (I-statement, help, accommodation, or planning) fits.
Have the student practice the response aloud. Provide immediate, specific feedback and prompts.
6 MIN
4 INDEPENDENT PRACTICE: DRAFTING
Student uses the Self-Advocacy Planning Worksheet for a real upcoming challenge.
They formulate their own I-statement or request and plan next steps.
Circulate briefly, offering encouragement but allowing independence.
3 MIN
5 COOL-DOWN: REFLECTION & ACTION
Reflection Question: “How did using these strategies feel?” Note one key insight.
Commitment: Student states one self-advocacy action they will try in the next class.
Praise effort and schedule follow-up check-in.
Voice Blueprint Slides Own Your Voice
Today's Objective
Identify your need for assistance and use a self-advocacy strategy to communicate your needs clearly and confidently.
Teacher: Welcome the student. Explain that today’s session is called “Own Your Voice.”
What Is Self-Advocacy?
Self-advocacy means recognizing when you need help and speaking up for yourself.
Key Actions
Understand your feelings and needs
Clearly express what you need
Ask for resources or help
Teacher: Define self-advocacy in your own words. Emphasize confidence and independence.
The I-Statement Formula
I feel...
when...
Could you...?
Example
"I feel confused when homework instructions are unclear. Could you please explain them differently?"
See the I-Statement Prompt Sheet for more frames.
Teacher: Model a sample challenge. Explain each part of the formula.
Scenario Practice
1
Draw
Pick a card from the
2
Identify
Choose a strategy: I-statement, help, or accommodation.
3
Speak
Practice your response
Teacher: Guide the student through a few cards. Provide immediate, specific feedback.
Your Action Plan
Using your Planning Worksheet:
"Self-advocacy is a skill you build through planning and preparation."
Teacher: Student completes a plan for a real upcoming challenge. Offer encouragement.
Session Reflect
"How did it feel to use these strategies?
Next Step: Try one action next class!
Teacher: Praise effort and commitment. Schedule the next follow-up.
Voice Prompt Sheet Material I-Statement Prompt Sheet
Building Bridges Through Communication
Student Reference
What Is an I-Statement?
Self-advocacy starts with clear, respectful communication. I-statements help you express your feelings and needs without blaming others. It follows a simple three-part formula:
1. I feel [your feeling]
2. when [the situation]
3. Could you [your request]?
Sentence Frames
1
Basic Frame
I feel when . Could you please ?
2
Accommodations Frame
I need because . Would it be possible to ?
3
Help-Seeking Frame
I’m having trouble with . Could you help me by ?
4
Planning Frame
I would like to plan for . Can we set a time to ?
Examples
“I feel confused when I don’t understand the instructions. Could you explain them again?”
“I need extra time on this assignment because the questions are challenging. Would it be possible to have a 24-hour extension?”
“I’m having trouble solving this math problem. Could you show me another example?”
“I would like to plan for my group project. Can we meet tomorrow to outline our tasks?”
Your Turn
Choose one frame from above and write your own I-statement for a challenge you face today.
I feel when .
Reflect: How did it feel to write your I-statement?
Own Your Voice Program Session 1: The Blueprint Name: _______________________________ Date: _________
Voice Scenario Cards Material Self-Advocacy Scenario Cards
Practice identifying and applying self-advocacy strategies. Read the scenario, choose a strategy (I-statement, help, accommodation, or planning), and practice your response aloud.
CARD 01
The Homework Puzzle
Scenario: You’re unsure what the homework directions mean and you don’t want to make mistakes.
Strategy Fit:
CARD 02
The Big Test
Scenario: A big test is next week, and you feel overwhelmed by all the material.
Strategy Fit:
CARD 03
The Family Conflict
Scenario: You have a family appointment and won’t finish the assignment on time.
Strategy Fit:
CARD 04
The Social Spark
Scenario: You want to form a study group but don’t know how to ask classmates.
Strategy Fit:
CARD 05
Group Roles
Scenario: In a group project, you haven’t been assigned a role and aren’t sure what to do.
Strategy Fit:
CARD 06
The Math Wall
Scenario: You’re stuck on a math problem and can’t move forward on your work.
Strategy Fit:
CARD 07
Volume Control
Scenario: The classroom is too loud, and you can’t focus on the lesson.
Strategy Fit:
CARD 08
Public Pressure
Scenario: Public speaking makes you very anxious, and you have to give a presentation tomorrow.
Strategy Fit:
CARD 09
Reading Fog
Scenario: You’re confused by the reading assignment and missed some key details.
Strategy Fit:
CARD 10
Feedback Loop
Scenario: You’ve written an essay draft and want feedback before the final submission.
Strategy Fit:
Print on cardstock and cut along dashed lines.
Voice Planning Worksheet Material Self-Advocacy Planning
Drafting your blueprint for successful communication.
Action Plan
Student: ___________________
1
Describe Your Upcoming Challenge
What academic or social situation will you face soon that might require support? Be specific about when, where, and who is involved.
2
Choose a Self-Advocacy Strategy
Circle the strategy that fits best for this challenge:
I-Statement
Asking for Help
Requesting an Accommodation
Planning
Why did you choose this strategy?
3
Draft Your Statement or Request
Write exactly what you will say or ask. Use your Prompt Sheet for support.
4
Plan Follow-Up
How will you ensure you get the support you need?
5
Expected Outcome
How do you expect this strategy will change your experience?
OWN YOUR VOICE PROGRAM
SESSION 01: BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS
PAGE 01
Voice Mastery Tracker Material Program Mastery Tracker
15-Session Tier 3 Self-Advocacy Program
Target Goal
70%
Success Rate
15-Session Progress Chart
Sess. Topic / Focus Date Opportunities Successes % Teacher Notes / Observations 1 Foundations: I-Statements 2 Classroom Help Advocacy 3 Accommodation Requests 4 Project Management / Planning 5 Social Advocacy / Peer Help 6 Art of Persistence: Follow-ups 7 Clarifying the Unclear 8 Self-Awareness: Knowing Needs 9 Complex I-Statements 10 Role-Play Mastery 11 Classroom Application Trial 12 Social Application Trial 13 Success Analysis / Review 14 Advocacy Portfolio / Evidence 15 Independence Graduation
Mastery Calculation
The program goal is 70% success in observed opportunities. Use this area to average the success rates from the final 5 sessions (11-15).
Total Opts
/
Total Succ
=
Final %
?
Long-Term Growth Notes 
