[Teen Living]

How Will You Respond?

Overview:
Students will become experts on each of the behaviors (passive, assertive, aggressive) and will then teach their classmates about each behavior. They will incorporate what they learn in a skit that they will perform in front of the class.

[9-10] [2 50-Minute Class Periods]

Teaching Materials
Paper cutouts of red, yellow, and blue in the shapes of squares and triangles Information sheets on each of the 3 behaviors (located at the end of this lesson plan) Possibly some props that the students can use during their skits

Standard 1/Objective 2: (Cognitive Domain & Level 4)

Discuss and analyze various emotions associated with the teenage transitions.
Analyze the differences between passive, assertive, and aggressive behavior.

Introduction/Set Induction (10 minutes):

As students enter the room, they will each be given a piece of colored paper. Each paper will be red, blue, or yellow and they will be cut into 2 different shapes, squares and triangles. (These will be used to determine which group they will work with). To introduce the topic, a video clip from www.values.com will be shown. It is called Wet Cement and is a 1 minute clip of a little boy walking on wet cement as an older man is smoothing it out. <http://www.values.com/inspirational-storiestv-spots/107-Wet-Cement> After the video clip, explain how each day we are faced with people and situations that we have to respond to. Depending on how we respond will affect the outcome of the situation. Explain that there are 3 different responses (or behaviors) that people use; passive, assertive and aggressive. Tell the students that they will be split into groups and become experts on a specific behavior. Students will then break into groups.

Other Resources/Technology
Computer and projector to show the movie clip at the beginning of the class The video clip: Wet Cement from the www.values.com website: <http://www.values.com /inspirational-stories-tvspots/107-Wet-Cement>

Transition (5 minutes):

Have the students get into groups depending on what shape and color of paper they received. (For example, all the blue triangles get together, all the red squares get together, etc.). Once they are in their groups, have one member come and get an information sheet for the specific behavior they will assigned to study. All of the reds will be assigned aggressive behavior, all the blues will be assigned passive behavior, and all the yellows will be assigned assertive behavior.

Lesson Body (70 minutes): (Teen Living/Cooperative Learning)

Cooperative Learning: Once students have been split into their groups and have received their information sheet, they will begin to study the behavior they have been assigned. The tasks of what they are supposed to do are written at the bottom of their information sheet (*As a group, read the information on the sheet and decide how to explain the behavior to someone who has never heard of it before. *Create 1-2 examples of that behavior that you can share while trying to explain what that behavior means.) Students will then be given about 10 minutes to investigate and become experts on their assigned behavior. Once the time is up and everyone has had a chance to become familiar with and experts on their behavior, they will be split into new groups. These new groups will consist of 3 people. Each will be from a different color (For example, one will be yellow, one will be blue, and the other will be red). It doesnt matter what shape they were, just what color they are. Once all of the groups of 3 have been created and there is a color in each group, the students will teach each other about their behavior. Yellow will begin by teaching the red and blue students about assertive behavior and give examples to further explain its meaning. The process will be repeated as blue teaches about passive behavior and so on until everyone has had a chance to explain what their behavior is and what it implies. Now that everyone has had an opportunity to teach about their behavior, and everyones questions have been answered. The groups will then be required to create a skit using all 3 of the behaviors. They will be given about 10 minutes to create their skit and will then perform it in front of the class. The classmates will then write down each time they see one of the behaviors being portrayed and what behavior it is.

Transition (5 minutes):
Once all of the groups have performed, the students will return to their seats for a classroom discussion.

Summary/Closure (10 minutes):

As a class we will discuss the importance of assertive behavior and how it is the most effective of the 3 behaviors. We will discuss how we can become more assertive when responding to the different people and situations in our lives.

Assessment/Evaluation:
The teacher will assess how well the students understood the concepts as they perform them in front of the class and through the examples they come up with. The students will also be required to hand in their papers where they wrote down each of the behaviors that were portrayed during the skits.

PASSIVE BEHAVIOR
Ignore or Avoid Hide Feelings Whine Fake Crying Give in to be Nice Gossip or Rumors Quiet Denials Make Faces Roll Eyes Quiet Put-Downs Tattle or Snitch
Passive responses to peer pressure include giving in or backing down from standing up for your needs and wants. Celia is passive and thinks she wins friends by going along with her peers. Instead, her peers view Celia as a pushover and not worthy of respect.

A person may often: Blame and accuse others Use indirect statements to express what is bothering him/her May be dishonest Avoids situation or solving problems hoping they will get resolved on their own Complains to others instead of the person that needs to hear the complaint May develop Whatever! attitude

AM I PASSIVE???

Do I have a habit of assuming other people's rights are more important than mine? Do I find myself often apologizing much more than is actually necessary? If I want to make a complaint about something I'm not happy with, do I usually choose to keep quiet about this rather than admit it for fear of making the situation worse?

If I'm in an argument do I just tell the other person what they want to hear for the sake of getting it over with as fast as possible rather than stand up for my views?

Am I in the habit of allowing others to make decisions for me rather than making these choices myself? Do I ever get the feeling others deliberately walk all over me? If so is this a regular thing that I allow to happen? Do I believe that I should never make anyone else uncomfortable, angry or displeased apart from myself EXAMPLE (Parent to Neighbor): I never got a progress report from school. My sons school cant do anything right. I wont even bother talking to them about it because they are incompetent and the two times I visited the schools main office they didnt pay attention to me.

TASK:
As a group, read the information above and decide how to explain Passive Behavior to someone who has never heard of it before. Come up with 1-2 examples of Passive Behavior that you can share while trying to explain what it Passive Behavior is.

AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
Yell Hit Push Threats Fights Loud Denials Stomp Around Slam Doors Loud PutDowns Break or Destroy Aggressive responses are hostile and violate the rights of others. Even though aggressive people think theyll get their way and may be seen as powerful and popular, their approach often backfires. People either tend to avoid those who are aggressive or jump in and fight back.

A person may often: Blame and accuse others Use name-calling, profanity, and a loud voice when communicating with others Use sarcasm to invalidate what the other person is saying Is not interested in understanding others points of views May threaten others to pressure them into responding the way he/she wants

Characteristics of aggressive behavior include expressing your feelings, needs, and ideas at the expense of others. Aggressive persons stand up for their rights, but ignore the rights of others; they may dominate or humiliate other people. While this behavior is expressive, it is also defensive, hostile, and selfdefeating.
-The College of New Jersey

EXAMPLE (Parent to School Principle): (Yelling) Your school is full of unqualified and idiotic teachers and front office staff! I could do a better job than any of them! I really should just take my child to another school!

I WIN, YOU LOSE!!

TASK:
As a group, read the information above and decide how to explain Aggressive Behavior to someone who has never heard of it before. Come up with 1-2 examples of Aggressive Behavior that you can share while trying to explain what it Aggressive Behavior is.

ASSERTIVE BEHAVIOR
Sincere Apologies Responsible Reporting Compromise Talk it out WIN-WIN Outcomes Active Listening Respecting Understand Others Manners I Messages Firmly Set Boundaries Acting on Morals Self-Mentor When you respond assertively to peer pressure, you stand up for your rights in firm, but positive ways. You dont bully or back off. Instead, you directly and honestly state your thoughts and feelings. You show that you mean what you say. Most people respect others who show the personal courage to be true to themselves. A person may often: Engage in active listening to understand others points of views Make choices with information given Gives choices and alternatives to others Is honest about feelings and intentions Is direct when expressing what is bothering him/her Shows personal accountability and makes others accountable Addresses problems and concerns with the appropriate person

BEING ASSERTIVE: Assertion is the direct communication of ones needs, wants and opinions without punishing, threatening or putting down the other person. It is also standing up for ones legitimate rights without violating the rights of others and without being unduly fearful in the process. Asserting yourself is expressing your feelings and opinions appropriately. Being assertive is not something you are born with; it is a skill that you learn.
EXAMPLES: (Parent to Staff in Schools Main Office): I didnt get my childs report card in the mail. Can you please double-check my home address in your records, and provide me with a copy of the report? Thanks! (Parent to Teacher): I need to know about my childs academic progress in your class and I would like for us to set up monthly meetings to discuss this. When are you available to meet with me this month?

TASK:
As a group, read the information above and decide how to explain Assertive Behavior to someone who has never heard of it before. Come up with 1-2 examples of Assertive Behavior that you can share while trying to explain what it Assertive Behavior is.