Assertiveness Training

This lesson series instructs students to communicate assertively instead of passively or aggressively. Assertive communication is built on a foundation of self-respect and respect for others. The lesson discussions and exercises equip students to acknowledge their interests, desires, and concerns; advocate for what is important to them; manage conflicts; establish boundaries; and decline requests.

The plan is based on the chapter “Approaches to Increasing Assertive Behavior and Communication Skills in Blind and Visually Impaired Persons,” within the book, The Development of Social Skills by Blind and Visually Impaired Students, by Sharon Zell Sacks with Linda Kekelis and Robert Gaylord-Ross.

Graphic of three individuals speaking

Lesson 1: Recognizing Assertive Communication

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To learn to recognize assertive, aggressive, and passive […]

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Lesson 2: Assessing Primary Communication Modes

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To identify a student’s primary communication mode: passive, […]

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Lesson 3: Self-Respect and Respect for Others

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To develop self-respect and respect for others, the […]

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Lesson 4: Recognizing Interests, Desires, and Concerns

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To recognize when to be assertive Materials needed: […]

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Lesson 5: Voicing Interests, Desires, and Concerns

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To learn about using “I” statements and honest, […]

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Lesson 6: Managing Conflict

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To introduce methods for assertively handling conflict. Introduction […]

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Lesson 7: Establishing Boundaries

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: Identifying the benefits, difficulties, and process of establishing […]

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Lesson 8: Learning to Say “No”

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To recognize when to say “no”. Materials needed: […]

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Lesson 9: Exuding Confidence

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: To discuss and practice assertive body language Materials […]

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Lesson 10: Developing Personal Goals

Name(s) of student(s): Age and grade level: Goal from IEP connected to lesson: Objective from IEP connected to lesson: Purpose of lesson: Self-reflection and developing assertiveness goals Materials needed: Word […]

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