Standard of Learning

5.1   The student will demonstrate the interpersonal skills necessary to build healthy relationships. Key concepts/skills include:

1. the development of positive social skills;
2. the use of refusal and conflict resolution skills;
3. effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills that convey care, consideration, and respect for self and others.

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Understanding the Standard

The student will understand how effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills impact interpersonal relationships.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

• define communication skills. (verbal and nonverbal ways to exchange ideas and express needs)
• explain listening skills. (acknowledging other people’s thoughts and feeling and trying to understand their feelings)
• describe positive body language. (nodding your head, smiling – not aggressively leaning forward)
• explain eye contact. (looking at the person not somewhere else)
• describe I-statements. (express the way you feel)
• determine the benefit of using a respectful tone. (shows you take others seriously and expect them to take you seriously)

Sample Lessons

Education World> Communication Comparisons
Students work in teams to research and learn about methods of communication. They use graphic organizers to compare the methods and share findings with others. Students navigate the Internet and use print sources to find and record information on several types of communication, work in teams of three or four to choose three methods of communication to compare, work in teams to choose some type of graphic organizer to represent their findings and share them with peers.
Sponsor: Education World
http://www.education-world.com/a_tsl/archives/01-1/lesson0018.shtml
Free

The Educator’s Reference Desk> Mystery Pictures: Following Oral Directions
Many children have difficulty accurately giving or following verbal instructions. The purpose of this lesson plan is to encourage students to focus on the importance of clear, oral communication. Students will distinguish between words/phrases that help clarify communication and those that impede it. Students will practice giving clear oral directions and will see the results produced by students who follow their instructions.
Sponsor: The Educator’s Reference Desk & Information Institute of Syracuse
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual.html
Free

Emotional Intelligence Summarizing the Mental Health Skills Needed to Live Happy, Healthy and Productive Lives
Grade(s) 4-6
In many ways the topic of emotional intelligence is seldom mentioned by adults or amongst young people themselves.  In these lessons, students will learn to use the skills of decision-making, communication, risk assessment, assertiveness and many more along the way.
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/peereducation/PDFdownloads.pdf
Free

Intel Education: "Flat Stanley"
Grade(s) 3-5
In this lesson students read a story about "Flat Stanley," then afterwards make a flat friend to send to a class in another country.  From this students learn skills of communicating with other people they normally do not talk to and cultural differences of the class they sent their flat friend to.
http://www97.intel.com/en/ProjectDesign/UnitPlanIndex/FlatStanley/
Free

LifeSkills Training
Grades: K-5
Model substance abuse prevention and competency enhancement program focusing on the major social and psychological factors causing substance use and abuse. Teaches drug resistance skills, personal management skills, and general social skills. Focuses on self-esteem, decision-making, influence of media, stress, communication, and assertiveness issues.
Contact: http://www.lifeskillstraining.com
Cost

Project Towards No Tobacco Use (TNT)
Grades 5-10
Model program to prevent or reduce tobacco use in youth. Ten core and 2 booster lessons. Includes effective refusal and coping skills; effects of media and advertisers; methods to build self-esteem; and strategies for advocating no tobacco use.
Sponsor: Department of Preventive Medicine, USC
Contact: http://www.etr.org
Cost

Promoting Alternative THinking Strategies (PATHS)
Grades K-6
Model program to promote emotional & social competencies and reduce aggression and acting out. Includes emotional literacy, self-control, social competence, positive peer relations, and interpersonal problem-solving skills.
Sponsor: Pennsylvania State University and Channing Bete Company
Contact: http://www.preventionscience.com
Cost

Social Emotional Learning Lesson
Grade 5 Students will find strategies to deal with another’s anger and to accept consequences.
http://www.dist102.k12.il.us/internal/SELWebPg/COP5SamiandtheTime.htm
Free
Grade(s) 5-8 Students will learn to recognize own anger and develop appropriate responses
http://www.dist102.k12.il.us/internal/SELWebPg/COP5-8Oregon.htm
Free

"What did you say?"
Grade(s) 4-6
After participating in the lesson, the students should know why communication is important and the various ways people can communicate with each other, through their participation in the various activities.
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/WhatDidYouSayCommunication
Free

Who’s in the Bag?
Grades: 4-6
Many students do not know how to develop relationships. Their negative social attitudes and low self-esteem hinder interaction.
Sponsor: Ask Eric
Contact: http://www.eduref.org (select lesson plans – health – mental health)
Free

Additional Instructional Resources

• Active Listening Techniques - http://7-12educators.about.com/library/weekly/aa081700a.htm
• DARE Officers
• http://www.healthteacher.com
• Life Skills Programs
• Local Police
• Penn State - http://betterkidcare.psu.edu/ParentsCount/pc11Dec03.pdf
• Social & Emotional Health – http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/ (health & fitness 3-5)
• Teaching Children About Health, A Multidisciplinary Approach - http://www.morton-pub.com

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• list examples of effective and ineffective verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
• explain how verbal and nonverbal communication skills affect interpersonal relationships.

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