Speak Up: 10th Grade Launch Curriculum 2023 - 13

INtRoDuCtIoN
Once everyone who identifies with the statement has moved to a new spot, the person with no spot goes into
the center and makes his/her statement . The game continues in this manner until everyone has had a chance
to be in the middle or until time is up .
Check that everyone understands the rules . Then, say:
" Here's the catch, as we play, each of you has to offer either one strength or goal that has not already been said. This is your
opportunity to shine! Be creative and truthful. I want to believe in your strength or aspiration. What can you think of that you would
want me to remember? Advocate for yourself. "
direct instruction: how does self-advocacy work? (5-10 minutes)
oBJECtIVE: STudEnTS WILL EXPLAIn hOW SELF-AdvOCACY WORKS .
Show students the " how does Self-Advocacy Work? " graphic on the Speak up! handout and explain the
following:
Point to the " You today " student�
Explain: " The first step in being a self-advocate is to understand who you are today and where you want to go. We started this process with
our game today. Let's imagine for this example that we are all 10th graders who want to make it to high school graduation. That's our goal. "
Point to the " Action Plan " image�
Explain: " The next step is to make a plan to get to where you want to go. In this example, we all want to get to high school graduation, so
our plan would include things like earning the credits we need to graduate, getting good grades, and passing our state tests.
Point to the " Barriers " image�
Explain: " We all know that whenever you have a plan, there are barriers or problems that get in your way, and which might make
it hard for you to reach your goals. When you encounter a barrier, you can either give up or you can figure out how to overcome it. Let's
say, for example, we failed a class last year, and we are a bit off track for graduation. Should we give up on our goal of graduating, or
can we figure out a way to get back on track? "
Point to the " Self-Advocacy Strategies " image�
Explain: " Here's where self-advocacy strategies can really help you. Whatever your barrier is, you can tap into strategies you'll learn
in class this year to help you overcome it. This year, we'll learn lots of strategies that you can use to overcome all kinds of barriers: those
that come up at home, at work, at school, or anywhere. In our example, maybe we decide to use our networking skills (which we'll learn
later in this book) and talk to the guidance counselor about how to make up the credit we're missing in summer school. "
Point to the " our Goals " image�
Explain: " Using these strategies will help you overcome barriers and reach your goals. In our example, we talked to the counselor and
decided to take the class we're missing in summer school. Now, we've overcome the barrier, and we're back on track to graduation, our goal. "
Point to the " You in the Future " image�
Explain: " After we reach our goals, self-advocacy does not stop. Because once you reach your goals, the process starts all over again.
In our example, we overcame barriers and graduated from high school. But now, we're different people. We're not 10th graders. We're
high school graduates. What does that mean? What has changed? What about us stays the same? And what are our goals now? "
Let students know that the self-advocacy skills they'll develop this year will help them in 10th grade and in the
future .
LESSOn 2: SPEAK uP!
13

Speak Up: 10th Grade Launch Curriculum 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Speak Up: 10th Grade Launch Curriculum 2023