Learn to communicate

Students will try to duplicate a pattern based on verbal directions from a partner.

A lesson plan for grade 6 Healthful Living

By Danetta Samuels

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Learning outcomes

Students will learn that verbal directions can produce a variety of outcomes, which can cause misunderstanding in interpersonal communication.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

45 minutes

Materials/resources

• pre-cut shapes
• pencil
• poster paper
• construction paper
• magic markers
• envelopes

Activities

1. Discuss the question: If we (the class) hear the exact same words, could it be a possibility for our minds to see different images? Let’s see!
2. Distribute envelopes with pre-cut shapes to each student.
3. Pair students back to back. One student is the verbal communicator and the other student is the listener.
4. The verbal communicator, using the shapes in the envelope, creates a pattern, while verbally describing what he/she is doing to the listener.
5. The listener follows the oral directions of the communicator without looking or asking questions and tries to duplicate the exact same pattern that the communicator has made.
6. Students switch roles once the patterns are compared.
7. Discuss what it means to communicate clearly. What could you have done to make the communication clearer? How could a lack of communication lead to conflict?

Assessment

The assessment is the results of the activity and responses given by students during discussion. Teacher checks for student understanding that communication can be affected by the misunderstanding of verbal expressions.

Supplemental information

When pairing students, the teacher may want to pair students who are friends and who are not friendly towards each other and compare the results of the activity to see if there was a major or minor difference.

Words can mean different things for different people. Leave allowances for that and remain calm. When students are in conflict they become angry and do not communicate clearly. Ask questions that will help to clarify and communicate feelings and needs.

Comments

The students that I work with seem to be in constant conflict with one another. Once the problems are discussed they always use the phrase “I thought you said.” I believe that this lesson helps to solve problems before they even begin.