Self-advocacy skills are important within the classroom. Problem-solving, knowing when to ask for help, and having the ability to listen to others are all hallmarks of self-advocacy, and they become increasingly important as kids make the transition to middle school or high school.
With the importance of self-advocacy front and center, therefore, today on TeachHUB.com, we spell out some teaching strategies that bring about self-advocacy. The piece was written by Janelle Cox, who is a veteran elementary school teacher and writer based on the East Coast of the U.S.
Janelle’s self-advocacy teaching strategies include getting started by asking questions. Some of these sample queries include:
· What are three things that you do well really well at in school?
· What are three things that you need to improve upon in school?
· What a few things that you like doing at school? Why?
· What are a few things that you dislike doing at school? Why?
Janelle also includes a real-life scenario designed to get kids to think more about their performances in school.
Janelle sums up her article thusly: “One thing that really needs to hit home with students transitioning to middle or high school is that their role as a student is changing. They are becoming more and more independent each day, and with that comes challenges. Students need to have self-awareness and self-advocacy skills so they are better able to deal with any situations or challenges that come up in everyday life. By having students partake in these activities, you are ensuring that they will be their own successful advocate.”
Do you teach your students self-advocacy skills? If so, what types of teaching strategies do you like to do with them? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comment section, we would love to hear from you.
