Teaching sequence

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

10 minutes

Explore: Communication

35 minutes

Discover: Role plays

15 minutes

Thrive: Conflict strategies

Explore: Communication

Step 1

Advise students that this lesson will focus on increasing their skills in managing conflict and understanding how to communicate effectively. Watch the video:

How Miscommunication Happens. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCfzeONu3Mo&t=49s)

Next, ask students the following questions to check their understanding and discuss key concepts.

Questions:

Communication is described as a two-way street. What does this mean?
What kind of communication do most people engage in?
Why is communication complicated?
The narrator said to imagine the ball as “clay.” How does the lump of clay being thrown between people represent communication?
What can impact communication?
What strategies are suggested throughout the video to help facilitate a better understanding of one another?
Communication is more than just words; what else is important?

Answers:

It takes 2 people to communicate, and each person is responsible for their part of the conversation.
Transactional model - this acknowledges the many challenges that can exist in communication.
People have personal bubbles, which means that we send and receive messages through our unique lens.
The clay represents how when communication is taking place, it can be shaped and moulded, which is why communication can, at times, turn to mush.
The personal relationship with the person they’re communicating with, understanding of the topic being discussed, previous experiences, distractions such as other noises or being hungry, etc.
Engage with active listening, take time to understand as you try to be understood and be aware of your personal bubble that impacts how you see the world.
Tone of voice and body language are also important.

Step 2

Ask students to consider what the phrase ‘take time to understand as you try to be understood’ means about communication. This was a phrase used in the video. Discuss in pairs before facilitating a class discussion.

Use the following questions to prompt discussion:

What do you think this means?
How could this look in practice when you are communicating with others?
Why is this important?

Provide the following explanation to assist their thinking:

It is just as important to listen carefully and try to understand someone else’s point of view as it is for you to be heard. While it is easy to assume that our way of thinking and seeing the world is the right way, we must remember that this is based on our personal bubble and interpretation of the world built on our upbringing and prior experiences. It is important to be open to listening to others and understand that their personal bubble will shape their views.

Discover: Role plays

Step 1

Students should consider what they have just learned about communication. Ask them to think about a time in their life when they have experienced conflict. Have them share in small groups, then facilitate a class discussion.

Examples:

Annoyed with a sibling for borrowing something without asking
Want to dye hair a different colour, but it’s against school rules
Someone who sits next to you in class and you would consider a friend doesn’t say hello to you in the locker bay
Arguing with parents about chores around the house

Use the following questions to prompt discussion:

What examples of conflict have you experienced?
How would you describe your communication?
What strategy did you use at the time to try and find a resolution?
Reflecting now, what would you have done differently?

Step 2

Explain that people might approach conflict in many ways, but passive, aggressive and assertive communication styles are most common.

Provide the following definitions to assist their understanding:

Passive communication can look like prioritising the needs and wants of the other person above their own needs. In this communication style, the person rarely stands up for themselves, which can lead to being taken advantage of.
Aggressive communication can look like the person expressing their feelings, wants and needs without caring about others around them and ignoring what they need, want or feel.
Assertive communication ensures the needs of both people are emphasised. The person can stand up for their own needs but is also respectful and mindful of the other person's needs. There is a willingness to compromise in this style of communication.

Step 3

Ask students to brainstorm examples of what each communication style would look, sound and feel like, then discuss these as a class.

Examples:

Passive: softly spoken, poor eye contact, lacks confidence, body language to reduce space taken up.
Aggressive: easily frustrated, speaks loudly, can be disrespectful, doesn’t listen and interrupts, not willing to compromise.
Assertive: confident, listens without interrupting, stands up for themselves, good eye contact and body language.

Step 4

Give each student a Communication Reflection worksheet. With a partner, they should discuss and complete the scenarios by providing a passive, aggressive and assertive response for each situation. Discuss answers as a class.

Example:

A friend has shown up at your house uninvited. Usually, you would be happy to let them in, but today you’re busy.

Passive: “Sure, you can come in; I wasn’t doing anything anyway.”
Aggressive: “I can’t believe you would show up uninvited. I’m busy, and you need to leave.”
Assertive: “What a lovely surprise! I am so excited to see you, but I have plans today. It’s okay if you stay for 20 minutes, but we are going out after that.”

Step 5

Explain that in pairs, students will practise using an assertive communication style to manage a range of conflict scenarios. Give each pair a Conflict worksheet and 10 minutes to work through the scenarios, taking turns to practise their assertive responses.

Step 6

Bring students together as a group and review the scenarios. Ask volunteers to present and encourage them with clapping when completed. If there is time, open the floor for feedback to discuss what was done well and what could be worked on in a supportive and encouraging way.

Provide the following explanation to assist their thinking:

Knowing how to communicate clearly and effectively is necessary as we will always have relationships to manage. An assertive communication style is crucial as it is the most effective way to ensure positive outcomes for both people while reducing potential damage to a relationship.

Thrive: Conflict strategies

Step 1

Explain that while it is an essential skill to be able to communicate assertively, this may not be easy all of the time if there are heightened stakes or pressure present. Ask students to reflect on the different strategies covered in today’s lesson about communication and managing conflict. Brainstorm responses on the board.

Examples:

Understanding personal bubbles
Communication is best when it is assertive
Passive and aggressive communication can lead to negative outcomes
Body language and tone are part of communication

Step 2

Next, students will work in pairs to develop a strategy to help them calmly manage conflict when it arises. Encourage them to create an acronym for their approach to help them remember it. It should include ideas discussed in today’s lesson and focus on mending and maintaining relationships.

For example:

Take a breath
Assess the facts
Communication assessment
Take positive action

Provide students 10 minutes to create their strategy, then ask each pair to present it to the class.

Step 3

Students can vote on their favourite (it may be a blend of 2-3), and this can be made into a class poster as a reminder of an effective way to communicate during conflict.

Teacher note: If time permits, students can design their strategy online or create the class poster.

Tribe: Effective Communication

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