Course Plan: Personal Development for Year 9
Course Title: Developing Interpersonal Skills
Course Goals:
The key goal of this course is to equip Year 9 students with the interpersonal skills necessary for effective communication and positive relationships in their personal, academic, and future professional lives.
Course Aims:
- To help students identify and understand different interpersonal skills.
- To develop practical strategies for improving communication and relationship-building.
- To enhance self-awareness and empathy.
- To foster teamwork and collaboration skills.
- To encourage effective conflict resolution methods.
Lesson Plan Overview
Module 1: Introduction to Interpersonal Skills
Lesson 1: What are Interpersonal Skills?
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Objectives:
- Define interpersonal skills.
- Identify the importance of interpersonal skills in daily life.
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Content:
- Discussion on various examples of interpersonal skills (e.g., listening, empathy, body language).
- Group activity: Students share personal experiences where interpersonal skills played a significant role.
Lesson 2: Self-Awareness and Empathy
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Objectives:
- Understand the concepts of self-awareness and empathy.
- Recognise their importance in interpersonal relationships.
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Content:
- Interactive discussion: What is self-awareness?
- Activities: Self-reflection exercises and empathy-building games (e.g., role-playing).
Module 2: Communication Skills
Lesson 3: Verbal and Non-verbal Communication
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Objectives:
- Differentiate between verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Practice effective communication techniques.
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Content:
- Overview of verbal communication (tone, clarity, vocabulary).
- Discussion on non-verbal cues (body language, facial expressions).
- Activity: Communication role-play in pairs, emphasising clarity and non-verbal cues.
Lesson 4: Active Listening
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Objectives:
- Understand the components of active listening.
- Enhance listening skills through practice.
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Content:
- Explanation of active listening techniques (e.g., summarising, questioning).
- Practice sessions: In pairs, students take turns to talk and listen actively, providing feedback.
Module 3: Building Relationships
Lesson 5: Teamwork and Collaboration
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Objectives:
- Explore the dynamics of teamwork and collaboration.
- Identify key characteristics of effective teams.
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Content:
- Group discussion: Characteristics of successful teams.
- Team-building exercises: Collaborative problem-solving activities.
Lesson 6: Conflict Resolution
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Objectives:
- Discuss common causes of conflict.
- Learn techniques for resolving conflicts peacefully.
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Content:
- Case studies: Examples of conflicts and resolution strategies.
- Scenario role-plays: Practicing conflict resolution skills.
Module 4: Application and Reflection
Lesson 7: Personal Action Plan for Interpersonal Development
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Objectives:
- Reflect on personal growth throughout the course.
- Create a personal action plan to further develop interpersonal skills.
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Content:
- Review of key learnings from the course.
- Guided workshop: Students draft a personal action plan highlighting goals, desired interpersonal skills, and strategies for growth.
- Class sharing: Students may voluntarily share their action plans and insights with the group.
Assessment and Evaluation:
- Participation in class discussions and activities.
- Completion of role-play and group exercises.
- Final personal action plan submission to evaluate understanding and personal commitment to developing interpersonal skills.
Resources:
- Selected readings on interpersonal skills.
- Access to online resources for further learning.
- Materials for activities and role-plays (e.g., worksheets, scenario cards).
Conclusion:
This course aims to empower students with essential interpersonal skills that will serve them in various aspects of life. By the end of the seven lessons, students should feel confident in their ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and resolve conflicts, setting a strong foundation for their personal growth and future endeavours.