Running head: COMMUNICATION 1

Classroom Lesson Plans

Nicole Dickinson, Kristen Jones, Ben Pancho

Regent University
COMMUNICATION 2

Academic Lesson Plan

School Counselor Name: Nicole Dickinson, Kristen Jones, Ben Pancho
School: The School of Hard Knocks

Title of lesson: Communication, active listening Date 6/25/16

Domain: Academic
Grade Level: 10th grade Time required: 30 minutes

ASCA Mindset and Behavior (s):

Mindset Standard (2): Self Confidence in ability to succeed.
(5): Positive attitude toward work and learning

Behavior Standards (6): Set high standards of quality

Learning Strategies (9): Gather evidence and consider multiple perspectives to make informed
decisions

(American School Counseling Association, 2014)

Virginia State Counseling and Academic Standards:

School Counseling Standards
HA3. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure a successful transition from
high school to post-secondary options (Board of Education, 2004).

Academic Standards
9.1 The student will make planned oral presentations independently and in small groups.

(Virginia Department of Education, 2010)

SMART Goal:
Students will write a speech and orally present the 8-10-minute speech that discusses the
importance of their success both in and out of school. Students will learn the importance of
effective communication, how to prepare and deliver a speech as well as how to show
appropriate active listening skills when others are presenting.

Materials/Resources:
Paper, pencil and technology supports (computer, internet etc.)

Activity:
1). Discuss the topic question on why being successful is important both in and out school and
how a positive attitude can help you be successful.
2). Discuss what effective communication is
3). Discuss thoughts, fears, and emotions around presenting in front of the class
4). Brainstorm as a group what it means to be self-confident and how to set high standards for
yourself
5). Have an open discussion on what an active listener does during a presentation, show
examples and demonstrate
COMMUNICATION 3

6). Allow time for student to search, document and prepare for their statement and oral
presentation.
7). Have students present their statement to the group
8). Review presentations with the group, process feelings and thoughts regarding how it was to
present.
9). Review active listening skills.
10). Compare which was harder, presenting and communicating effectively or active listening

Differentiation:
1). Students may need staff assistance with writing
2). Oral presentation may be less than 8 minutes if necessary.
3). Student may make the oral presentation only instead of writing their speech.
4). Students may receive extended time if necessary.

Evaluation:
PRE-TEST/POST TEST - PLEASE SEE ADDITIONAL PAPER

Information Letter:
Please see parent informational letter below.
COMMUNICATION 4

PRE-TEST/POST TEST

This is a pre-test and posttest to review what you understand about the importance of effective
communication and active listening skills. This is not graded, it will simply be used to determine
what you knew before and after this group session. Please take the next 2-3 minutes to answer
this pre-test as honestly as you can. Once this group session is complete, you will be asked to
take the post test.

Name: _____________________________ Date: __________

PRE- TEST POST TEST

(Circle which test you are taking)

1). What is effective communication?

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

2). Is effective communication necessary to be successful?

YES NO

3). Is active listening important?

YES NO

4). How do you show active listening skills (check all that apply)

A). Listen quietly

B). Lay head on your desk
C). Give appropriate eye contact
D). Talk to the person sitting next to you.
E). A and C
F). B and C

5). What do you find easier?

A). Presenting to a group while using effective communication skills
B). Active listening
C). Neither A or B
D). Both A and B
COMMUNICATION 5

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Your son/daughter will be participating in a social skills lesson that will address the
importance of effective communication and active listening skills. The goal for this group
session will be to have your child create a speech on why it is important to show success both in
and out of school. They will then present their thoughts on this topic to the group in an oral
presentation. During the group session, the students will be taught the key points to effective
communication and what it takes to be an active listener.

Time will be allotted during the group session to brainstorm, create and prepare for their
speech and oral presentation. However, we do ask that you talk to your child at home and
encourage them to begin to think about the importance of this topic as this will be a skill that
they will use now and into their adulthood.

If you have any questions regarding the group topic, please dont hesitate to contact us at
the school.

Thank you for your support!

The School Counselor
COMMUNICATION 6

Career Lesson Plan

School Counselor Name: Nicole Dickinson, Kristen Jones, Ben Pancho
School: The School of Hard Knocks

Title of lesson: Communication and team building Date: 6/25/16

Domain: Career
Grade Level: 10th grade Time required: 30 minutes

ASCA Mindset and Behavior (s):

Mindset Standards (4) Understanding that postsecondary education and life-long learning are
necessary for long-term career success
(6) Positive attitude toward work and learning

Behavior Standards
Learning Strategies (8) Actively engage in challenging coursework
Self-Management (5) Demonstrate perseverance to achieve long- and short-term goals
Social (1) Use effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills
(7) Use leadership and teamwork skills to work effectively in diverse
teams

(ASCA, 2014)

Virginia State Counseling and Academic Standards:

School Counseling Standards
HC7. Demonstrate employability skills such as individual initiative, teamwork, problem solving,
organization, and communication (Board of Education, 2004).

Academic Standards
Using Virginias state standards, students will learn comprehension and collaboration and gain
the following skills:
9.1 l) Assume shared responsibility for collaborative work.
10.1 The student will participate in, collaborate in, and report on small-group learning activities.
10.1 e) Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with diverse teams to accomplish a common
goal.

(VDOE, 2010)

SMART Goal:
Students will work together in groups of two in a 15-minute activity to guide their partner using
only communication skills through an obstacle course. Students will learn the value in equally
communicating and listening in order to effectively problem solve and work as a team to achieve
difficult goals, which are skills necessary for all career fields.

Materials/Resources:
Blindfolds, large area, and items to create an obstacle course
COMMUNICATION 7

Activity:
1). Begin with creating an obstacle course with classroom desks, chairs, orange cones, etc.
However, do not allow the students in the area until they are partnered up and one student is
blindfolded.
2). Then instruct the non-blindfolded student to guide the blinded student through the obstacle
course by only using their words. For example, make a slight turn right, take one step, turn
around.
3). Once the student completes the course, the other partner will be blindfolded and guided
through as well.
4). When the activity is complete, class will discuss the level of difficulty it was to work with
and trust the guiding partner.
5). Students will discuss how their communication and listening skills helped them to work
effectively as a team.
6). Instructor will explain the correlation with the activity to using effective communication,
problem-solving, and team building skills in the workplace in order to achieve a common goal.
7). Discuss how the skills used can be applied in their current minimum wage jobs now and how
they can be developed and improved for their future career.

Differentiation:
1). Student may be guided with partner holding arm.
2). Difficulty level of course may be reduced in amount of physical challenges.
3). Student may only complete the one role of either the guider or guidee.
4). This student may work in a group of three for further assistance.

Evaluation:
PRE-TEST/POST TEST - PLEASE SEE ADDITIONAL PAPER

Information Letter:
Please see the below parent informational letter.
COMMUNICATION 8

PRE-TEST/POST TEST

While you will not be graded for this test, the results will be used evaluate what you currently
know about communication and what you have learned. You will be allowed up to five minutes
to answer each question, which will include true/false and short answers. Please answer honestly
and to your best ability.

Name: ____________________________________ Date: _____________

PRE-TEST POST TEST

(Circle which test you are taking.)

True or False (Please circle one):

1. I believe communication is a necessary life skill. T F

2. Jobs will require me to use teamwork. T F
3. Listening is necessary to perform and complete tasks. T F
4. I feel prepared to enter the job field. T F

5. Why communication important in the workplace?

6. How does effective communication promote team building?

7. Why is listening required to in order to achieve effective communication?

COMMUNICATION 9

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Our upcoming class time will be dedicated to teaching your child the importance of

communication skills as they go out into the job field. As most students are beginning to start

their first jobs in 10th grade, this is a fantastic opportunity to instill success and career building

skills. Therefore, this lesson will specifically focus on utilizing listening, cooperating, and team

building proficiencies through each students ability to communicate directions to their partner.

Each student will be led by another student through an obstacle course blindfolded and will have

to make their way through the small monitored course by following the directions provided.

Once completed, the class will discuss how the skills required to complete the challenge can also

be used at their present and future jobs and how that may look while on the job.

Professional oral communication and the ability to collaborate with others to achieve a

common goal is necessary in the workplace. As a result, such competence will provide a greater

chance for your son/daughter to obtain a job and succeed in their desired career path.

Please let us know if you may have any questions or concerns regarding this lesson and

activity to promote solid communication skills for the workplace.

Thank you for your support!

The School Counselor

COMMUNICATION 10

Personal/Social Lesson Plan

School Counselor Name: Nicole Dickinson, Kristen Jones, Ben Pancho
School: The School of Hard Knocks

Title of lesson: Public Speaking: Development of Proficiency Date 6/25/16

Domain: Personal/Social
Grade Level: 10th grade Time required: 30 minutes

ASCA Mindset and Behavior (s):

Mindset Standard (2): Self Confidence in ability to succeed.
(4): Understanding that post-secondary education and life-long learning
are necessary for long-term career success
(5): Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results
and outcomes
Behavior Standards
Learning Strategies (1): Demonstrate critical-thinking skills to make informed decisions
(2): Demonstrate creativity
(3): Use time-management, organizational and study skills
(6): Set high standards of quality
(9): Gather evidence and consider multiple perspectives to make informed
decisions

Self-Management (3): Demonstrate ability to work independently

(4): Demonstrate ability to delay immediate gratification for long-term
rewards
(6): Demonstrate ability to overcome barriers to learning
(7): Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem

Social Skills (1): Use effective oral and written communication skills and listening
skills
(3): Create relationships with adults that support success
(4): Demonstrate empathy
(ASCA, 2014)

Virginia State Counseling and Academic Standards:

School Counseling Standards
HP3. Students will use appropriate communication and conflict resolution skills with peers and
adults.
HP4. Students will apply problem-solving and decision making skills to make safe and healthy
choices (Board of Education, 2004).

Academic Standards
11.1 - The student will make informative and persuasive presentations
12.1 - The student will make a formal oral presentation in a group or individually

(VDOE, 2010)
COMMUNICATION 11

SMART Goal:
Students will create a presentation and orally present a 10-12-minute speech on a subject/topic of
their choosing. Students will learn the importance of decision-making skills, as well as problem-
solving, communication and active listening skills. Students will also learn how to
prepare/deliver a presentation and overcome fears/anxieties that are associated with public
speaking, and develop the necessary empathy needed for those who suffer from more severe
anxiety of presenting. By the end of this assignment, students will have gained valuable
knowledge and experience related to self-discipline, delayed gratification, perseverance,
empathy, and increased confidence.

Materials/Resources:
Tri-fold poster board, markers/pens, -OR- Microsoft PowerPoint (computer, projector, and laser
pointer provided by the school)

Activity:
1). Discuss their topic question, why they chose it, and what it means to them
2). Discuss what effective communication is
3). Discuss thoughts, fears, and emotions around presenting in front of the class
4). Conduct research to support the students topic of choice
5). Allow time for student to search, document and prepare for their statement and oral
presentation.
6). Review presentations with the audience, process feelings and thoughts regarding how it was
to present.
7). Reflect upon what was learned throughout the project and how student feels about speaking
in front of people

Differentiation:
1). Students may need staff assistance with completion of assignment
2). Students may require encouragement from staff to overcome fears related to public speaking
3). Oral presentation may be less than 10 minutes if necessary.
4). Students may receive extended time if necessary.

Evaluation:
PRE-TEST/POST TEST - PLEASE SEE ADDITIONAL PAPER

Information Letter:
Please see the below parent informational letter.
COMMUNICATION 12

PRE-TEST/POST TEST

This is a pre-test and posttest to review how you feel about speaking in front of a group of
people. This is not graded. It will simply be used to determine how you felt speaking in front of
others before and after this assignment. Please take the next 2-3 minutes to answer this pre-test
as honestly as you can. Once this group session is complete, you will be asked to take the post
test.

Name: _____________________________ Date: __________

PRE- TEST POST TEST

(Circle which test you are taking)

1). What do you think it is like to speak in front of a large group of people?

2). Do you experience anxiety when you are about to speak in front of others?
YES NO

3). Is confidence important when speaking in front of people?

YES NO

4). How do you prepare to speak in front of others (check all that apply)

A). Rehearsal of presentation

B). Create general outline of presentation
C). Specific rituals (e.g., pacing)
D). Winging it
E). A and C
F). B and C

5). What do you find easier?

A). Presenting to a group on something youre passionate about
B). Presenting to a group on something youre required to do
C). Neither A or B
D). Both A and B
COMMUNICATION 13

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Your son/daughter will be participating in a social skills lesson that will address fears and

anxieties related to speaking in front of people. The goal for this group session will be to have

your child create a presentation on a subject of their choosing and support their topic with the

appropriate research. They will then present their thoughts on this topic to the group in an oral

presentation. The presentation will provide students the opportunity to practice public speaking

in front of a group of people.

Time will be allotted for students to brainstorm, create and prepare for their presentation.

However, we do ask that you talk to your child at home and encourage them to begin to think

about the importance of being confident in front of others, as this will be a skill that they will use

both in the present as students and in the future as adults.

If you have any questions regarding the group topic, please dont hesitate to contact us at

the school.

Thank you for your support!

The School Counselor

COMMUNICATION 14

References

American School Counselor Association (2014). Mindsets and behaviors for student success: K-

12 college- and career-readiness standards for every student. Alexandria, VA.

Board of Education (2004). Standards for school counseling programs in virginia public schools.

Retrieved from

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/school_counseling/counselingstandards.pdf

Virginia Department of Education (2010). Comparison of virginias 2010 english standards of

learning with the common core state standards for English and literacy. Retrieved from

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/english/sol_ccss_comparison_en

glish.pdf