At School
You are thirsty during ELA and would like to get water. You did not bring a water bottle to school today.
"I forgot my water bottle today. Could I please get a drink of water?"
You are on a playdate at a friend's house. You are about to play Monopoly together. Your friend picks your game piece for you without asking.
Say to your friend "I would like to pick my own game piece. Could I be the _______?"
Your best friend asks you to jump rope during recess, but you would rather play soccer. How can you self advocate?
"No thanks, I'm going to play soccer today. Maybe tomorrow we can jump rope!"
WHAT is self advocacy?
Standing up and speaking up for yourself about what you need or want
Your teacher explains the Science homework for tonight. There are a lot of steps and you are having a hard time remembering the directions. How can you advocate for yourself in this moment?
Examples: "I didn't hear all of the steps and I want to make sure I do the homework correctly. Could you repeat the directions?"
- Could I take notes while you say the directions again?
-Could you say the directions slower please?"
You are playing Uno with a big group of friends and are about to play your card for your turn, but the person after you puts down a card and skips your turn.
"I didn't get to put my card down and take my turn. Could you take your card back so I can take my turn?"
You have a substitute teacher today. Some of your classmates are planning to give the substitute teacher a hard time and refuse to do the work and they ask you to join them.
"No. I don't feel comfortable doing that. It would not be fair to the teacher."
WHEN do you need to self advocate?
When you are not getting something you need
When something makes you uncomfortable
When you feel that you are being treated unfairly
You go to the cafeteria for Lunch. You try the lunch that you ordered for the day, but you really don't like it. You are really hungry.
Find an adult (the lunch monitor/teacher at lunch) and say something like... "I tried my lunch, but I really don't like it. I'm still feeling hungry. Are there any other options?"
You are playing soccer at the park with your friends on Saturday. No one is passing the ball to you. You are trying to be patient, but starting to feel frustrated and left out.
"I noticed that no one is passing me the ball and I feel left out. Could you please let me have a turn?"
A few kids in your class take the teacher's materials when she is helping a student and is away from her desk. They tell you to take something from her desk and hide it.
"No. I do not want to do that. It is not okay."
WHAT 3 factors should we consider when we self advocate? (hint: think about your voice)
1. using appropriate volume
2. tone of voice (friendly tone)
3. use kind words
You are in Math class. You're feeling distracted and having a hard time focusing.
"I'm having trouble focusing on the lesson. Could I please take a break?"
"I am feeling distracted and need something to help me stay focused."
Your close friend keeps calling you a nickname that you really do not like. It is starting to make you upset when they use that nickname.
"I don't like when you use that name. It makes me embarrassed/upset. Could you please just call me ________"
A friend keeps asking you to "spy" on some kids during recess. You know it would make the other kids uncomfortable.
"I don't think that game is okay. I do not want to play that game."
WHY should we advocate for ourselves?
- when they know how we feel, they can change how they are acting, so they can be more helpful and less harmful
HOW do we self advocate
1. Figure out WHAT you need help with
2. Figure out WHO can help you
3. Figure out the best way to ask for help