Respectful Communication

Overview

In this lesson, students explore strategies for safe, respectful relationships through respectful communication and respectful online behaviours. They will use Padlet to share and discuss realistic relationship scenarios, then apply the strategies to decide on the best next step.

Learning intentions

• Students will identify what respectful communication sounds like in face-to-face and online settings.
• Students will recognise strategies that help establish and maintain safe, respectful relationships.
• Students will apply “pause, think, choose” to respond to common peer and online scenarios.
• Students will use Padlet appropriately to share ideas respectfully and safely.

Success criteria

• I can describe respectful communication using specific examples (not put-downs, no insults).
• I can choose a response strategy that keeps myself and others safe and respected.
• I can contribute to Padlet by posting and responding using respectful language and tone.
• I can explain why my chosen response is appropriate for the scenario.

Curriculum links

• PHLS-RRL-01 — students recognise strategies to establish safe and respectful relationships.
• PHLS-RRL-02 — students recognise and use strategies to maintain safe and respectful relationships.
• PH4-RRL-01 — students explain and apply strategies for promoting safe and respectful relationships in a range of contexts.
• Digital literacy link: students use an online tool (Padlet) responsibly, following safe and respectful communication expectations.

Lesson structure (60 minutes)

1. 0–7 min · Hook & establish purpose. Teacher displays the respectful communication hook and scenario slides and asks: “When people disagree, what words and actions usually make it worse, and what makes it safer?” Students do a quick think-write in their worksheet margins.

2. 7–15 min · Direct teach: respectful communication and relationship strategies. Teacher uses the respectful communication hook and scenario slides to highlight key strategies: use respectful language, listen without interrupting, ask clarifying questions, include no blame/labels, and choose a safe next step (get help if needed). Students record two strategy notes on the respectful relationships and Padlet scenario worksheet.

3. 15–23 min · Padlet setup and expectations (digital safety + respectful tone). Teacher shows the respectful communication hook and scenario slides slide on “Padlet norms” (privacy, no personal info, kind feedback, no threats, report inappropriate content). Students silently review the norms, then confirm with a brief thumbs-check. Teacher reminds: “Use general wording, not someone’s name.”

4. 23–38 min · Padlet Activity 1: post a respectful response. Teacher opens the respectful communication hook and scenario slides with Scenario A and the prompt: “Post a response that supports safety and respect. Include one sentence explaining why.” Students work in pairs to draft their best response, then one student posts to Padlet for the pair.

5. 38–48 min · Padlet Activity 2: respond to others (peer feedback). Teacher displays the respectful communication hook and scenario slides with Scenario B prompts and a response-starter frame: “I agree because…” / “A safer option could be…” / “Have you considered…?” Students choose one post to respond to on Padlet, using the starter frame.

6. 48–56 min · Whole-class synthesis: identify the “best next step”. Teacher returns to the respectful communication hook and scenario slides and runs a short class sorting: students vote which responses show the strongest respectful communication and safety focus, then justify with one strategy. Teacher probes: “What makes that response respectful, not just polite?”

7. 56–60 min · Exit ticket (assessment + reflection). Students complete the final questions on the respectful relationships and Padlet scenario worksheet:

• “One respectful communication strategy I will use is…”
• “One reason it helps safe and respectful relationships is…”

Resources

• the respectful communication hook and scenario slides
• the respectful relationships and Padlet scenario worksheet
• Devices with student access to Padlet (one teacher-prepared Padlet wall)
• Teacher account and projected screen for modelling
• Markers/pens for quick pre-writing and worksheet notes
• Headphones optional (if students need audio-free device time)
• Timer for transitions (visible to students)

Assessment

• Formative during Padlet: teacher observes whether posts use respectful language and safe strategies (check against success criteria).
• Formative during discussion: teacher listens for students naming clear strategies and giving reasons.
• Exit ticket from the respectful relationships and Padlet scenario worksheet to confirm understanding and ability to apply strategies.

Differentiation

• Support: provide sentence starters for Padlet posts/responses (teacher displays in the respectful communication hook and scenario slides).
• Support: offer a “strategy word bank” on the respectful relationships and Padlet scenario worksheet (listen, clarify, respect, safe next step, get help).
• Extension: challenge students to add an alternative option if a response could escalate conflict, and explain how their alternative improves safety.
• EAL/SEN: allow students to draft with a partner before posting; accept shorter posts that follow the respectful communication expectations.