Learning Goal

During this unit, students will be asked to explore effective communication, which is the ability to calmly and clearly communicate a message.

Learning Objectives

• Lesson 1: Emotions and Your Brain
• Lesson 2: Self-Connection
• Lesson 3: Self-Advocacy
• Lesson 4: Resolving Conflict
• Lesson 5: Texting and Relationships
• Project: 14-Day Communication Journal

Learning Summary

Lesson 1: Emotions and Your Brain
Students will learn that choosing a calm state supports effective communication and healthy relationships. They will be introduced to the idea of “flipping your lid” and will learn two breathing techniques they can use to calm down in these moments.

Lesson 2: Self-Connection
Students will learn why self-connection – being able to identify one’s emotions – is an important skill for effective communication and healthy relationships.

Lesson 3: Self-Advocacy
Students will learn how self-advocacy supports effective communication and healthy relationships. They will reflect on recent situations they’ve experienced and identify what feelings and needs arose in each situation.

Lesson 4: Resolving Conflict
Students will learn and practice a three-step system for resolving conflict, using skills they’ve learned in this unit as well as from other SEL units.

Lesson 5: Texting and Relationships
Students will discuss specific challenges that come with communicating via texting or messaging and will come up with tangible action steps to help them avoid texting confusion and potential conflict.

Project: 14-Day Communication Journal
The final project of this unit will ask students to spend 14 days intentionally practicing communication skills covered in this unit within a specific relationship, and then will reflect on how it affected the relationship.

Online Teaching Tips for Effective Communication for Healthy Relationships