Communicate with Confidence

Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: Health and Physical Education
Strand: Relationships with Other People
Curriculum Level: Level 4 — The New Zealand Curriculum
Key Concepts:

• Exploring interpersonal skills and strategies that enhance relationships.
• Developing assertiveness and understanding communication styles.
• Strengthening the key competencies: Participating and Contributing, Relating to Others, and Managing Self.

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Lesson Overview

Year Level: Year 8
Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 23 students
Theme: Understanding and identifying different communication styles: passive, aggressive, assertive, and passive-aggressive.

Students will engage in a dynamic, group-based learning experience followed by a creative individual reflection activity. Through role-play, discussion, and self-assessment, students will explore how communication impacts relationships and how to communicate assertively and respectfully in daily life.

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Learning Intentions

Students will:

• Identify and describe the four communication styles: passive, aggressive, assertive, and passive-aggressive.
• Recognise how these styles impact relationships.
• Practise identifying these communication styles through collaborative tasks and apply the learning in individual reflection.

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Success Criteria

By the end of the session, students will be able to:
✅ Define each communication style using their own words.
✅ Work collaboratively to act out real-life scenarios showing each style.
✅ Reflect on which communication style is most effective and why.
✅ Identify their default communication style and goal for improving communication.

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Resources Needed

• Cut-out role cards with scenario prompts (prepared ahead of time)
• Whiteboard/Markers
• Post-it notes
• Printed Communication Style Summary Handout (1 per student)
• A3 chart paper and coloured pens for each group
• Timer or clock

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Lesson Breakdown

⏱️ 0–5 mins — Whakawhanaungatanga / Welcome and Warm-up

Activity: Agree or Disagree
Pose a couple of provocative statements related to communication (e.g., “Yelling makes people listen better”, “Saying nothing is always safer”). Students move to different corners of the room to show their stance (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree) and briefly explain their thinking to people near them. This encourages early engagement and sparks curiosity.

Kaupapa: Spark interest and surface existing beliefs about communication.

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⏱️ 5–15 mins — Explicit Teaching: The Four Styles

Using direct instruction and student prompts:

Introduce the four types of communication with clear examples:

• Passive – not expressing honest thoughts or feelings, avoiding conflict.
• Aggressive – expressing needs in a forceful, disrespectful way.
• Passive-aggressive – expressing feelings in an indirect or sarcastic way.
• Assertive – expressing thoughts and feelings clearly and respectfully.

📌 Use the Communication Style Summary Handout. 🎯 Link each type to real-life examples relevant to a Year 8 student (e.g., at sports, in group work, texting a friend).

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⏱️ 15–30 mins — Group Activity: "Communication Station Challenges"

Students in groups of 5–6 rotate through four 'Communication Stations', with a station focusing on one type. At each station:

1. Read a scenario card (e.g., “Someone cuts in front of you in line”).
2. Decide how a person using that communication style (assigned to the station) would respond.
3. Rehearse a mini role-play (1–2 students act, others help script).
4. Perform it quickly to the rest of the group and record on A3 a definition in their words, key phrases used, and one impact of using that style.

🌀 Use a timer: 4 minutes per station, then rotate, supported with music for transitions!

Kaiako tip: Roam between groups to prompt deeper thinking, guide tone and body language, and support inclusion.

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⏱️ 30–35 mins — Class Share Back

Each group briefly shares one insight, “aha!” moment, or surprising realisation from their station rotations. Capture these collaboratively on the whiteboard under the headings: Positives, Challenges, Real-World Moments.

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⏱️ 35–42 mins — Individual Task: “Which Style Are You?”

Reflection Prompt: Students complete a folded Post-it self-profile:

• One word that sums up their most common communication style.
• One situation where they showed that style recently.
• One goal to improve their communication.

Then, have them stick their folded notes anonymously on a “Communication Goals Wall”.

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⏱️ 42–45 mins — Closing Circle

Students stand in a circle and each says one word that reflects something they learned or felt today. This could be funny, reflective, or surprising.

💬 Words like “confident”, “loud”, “understood”, “real”, or “work-on” may surface.

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Extension / Homework

• Challenge: Students observe communication styles at home or in school and bring back two observations (no names!) of when assertive communication worked well or was needed.
• Alternatively, students can journal: What makes it hard to be assertive sometimes?

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Assessment for Learning

Formative:

• Observation of group participation
• Contributions during class share-back
• Individual Post-it note self-assessments

Success in this lesson hinges on:

• Accurate identification of each communication style
• Engagement in group work and respectful listening
• Thoughtful personal reflection

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Teacher Reflection (Post-Lesson)

• How well did students grasp the differences in communication styles?
• Did group roles and dynamics support learning?
• Were students beginning to make personal connections?
• What follow-up lessons could deepen their understanding of assertiveness or managing conflict?

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Wow Factor: Why This Stands Out

✨ This lesson isn't just about definitions—it builds empathy and real-world readiness.
✨ It leverages collaborative theatre, kinaesthetic learning, critical inquiry, and self-reflection.
✨ Communication isn’t abstract here—it’s relatable, playful, and personal.

Perfect for empowering students at a pivotal age to better navigate friendships, school life, and whānau dynamics—this is hauora in action.