Introduction

Self-advocacy is an essential skill for middle school students to develop and nurture. It empowers them to express their needs, preferences, and opinions, leading to a more fulfilling and successful academic and social experience. This blog post will provide educators with an easy-to-follow, no-prep activity to teach self-advocacy skills, discussion questions to spark meaningful conversations, and suggestions for related skills to explore. By incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning, educators can help students grow and thrive in their social interactions and academic pursuits.

No-Prep Activity: The Seat Swap Scenario

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator and can be conducted in any classroom setting. The goal is to help students practice self-advocacy skills in a realistic scenario, such as requesting a change of seats to improve focus.

1. Begin by explaining the concept of self-advocacy to the students. Highlight the importance of expressing their needs, giving reasons, and ensuring they get what they need.
2. Present the following scenario: A student, Tyler, is having trouble focusing on their work because they are sitting at the back of the classroom. Tyler needs to ask someone to switch seats with them.
3. Ask for a volunteer to play the role of Tyler, and another student to play the role of a classmate, Serena.
4. Encourage the rest of the class to observe the interaction. Allow Tyler and Serena to act out the scenario, emphasizing the steps of self-advocacy: stating the need, giving the reason, and ensuring the outcome is satisfactory.
5. After the role-play, discuss the outcome with the class and ask for feedback. What did Tyler do well? What could they have done differently?

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to advocate for yourself in school and other social settings?
2. Can you think of a time when you advocated for yourself? How did it make you feel? What was the outcome?
3. What are some challenges you might face when advocating for yourself? How can you overcome these obstacles?
4. How can practicing self-advocacy skills benefit you in the future, both academically and in your personal life?
5. What are some other situations where you might need to use self-advocacy skills? How would you handle those situations?

Related Skills

Developing self-advocacy skills is just one aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. To further support students in their social and emotional growth, consider exploring these related skills:

• Active listening: Encourage students to listen carefully to others, ask clarifying questions, and show empathy and understanding.
• Conflict resolution: Teach students how to identify conflicts, express their feelings, and work together to find a solution.
• Assertiveness: Help students develop the ability to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs in a respectful and confident manner.
• Collaboration: Promote teamwork and cooperation, enabling students to work effectively with others towards a common goal.

Next Steps

Teaching self-advocacy skills to middle school students is a valuable investment in their social-emotional development. To explore more activities and resources to support your students, sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. With a wealth of tools and strategies at your fingertips, you’ll be well-equipped to empower your students to thrive in their academic and social lives.