Topics to help with effective communication at the high school level include:
Types of Communication
Students will compare the different types of communication.
(verbal, non-verbal, written).
Styles of Communication
Students will further breakdown communication into the four styles and discuss the pros and cons of each: passive, assertive, aggressive, passive-aggressive.
Active Listening and Paraphrasing
Students will describe and demonstrate an understanding of active listening behaviour and its importance. Students will learn what active listening looks, sounds and feels like, as well as the role of paraphrasing and asking thoughtful questions when actively listening.
Trouble Talk
Spreading rumours, gossiping, saying hurtful things, and sharing information that is not yours to share are all examples of “trouble talk”. Students will not only explore what trouble talk is, but will also look at ways to avoid it.
Guidelines for Respectful Discussions
A difficult classroom discussion may come up in any subject, but particularly in classes where social and political issues are a part of the curriculum. In this section, we will share some suggested guidelines to establish before, during and after classroom discussions.
Socratic Circles
A Socratic Circle (also known as a Socratic Seminar) is an approach to understand and examine a text through questions and answers founded on the belief that all thinking comes from asking questions, and that asking one question should lead to asking further questions.
Conflict Resolution
Learning how to work through conflict is an important skill that involves effective communication skills.
