Exploring Exploring Communication SkillsCommunication Skills

What are some communication skills?What are some communication skills?Why are good communication skills important at school? Why are good communication skills important at school? At work?At work?How are communication skills connected to work ethics?How are communication skills connected to work ethics?

Written by Barbara Mackessy

MSCD7-1: Students will identify and evaluate work MSCD7-1: Students will identify and evaluate work ethics and behavior characteristics needed for ethics and behavior characteristics needed for

success in a career and in life.success in a career and in life.

• Demonstrate the importance of positive work ethics in relation to success (Appearance, attendance, attitude, character, communication, cooperation, productivity, organizational skills, respect, and teamwork).

• Identify examples of appropriate and inappropriate personal behaviors in specific school, social, and work situations.

• Assess the consequences of positive and negative work ethic choices.

• Perform activities that will develop effective communication and decisions making skills.

• Explore group dynamics and interpersonal skills in order to foster teamwork.

When is communication not When is communication not effective?effective?

• When no one talks.

• When no one listens.

• When one hears but does not try to understand.

• When one doesn’t pay attention.

• When one doesn’t think that it is important.

Lego Communication ActivityLego Communication Activity

• Teacher randomly assign the students in pairs.

• Each pair needs to have two matching bags of Legos (assorted sizes and colors).

• Each pair needs a poster board or something to put between the pair.

InstructionsInstructions

• Put the poster board on the table/desk so that neither person can see to the other side.

• One person in the pair will build an item with the Legos behind the poster or box. They will saying what they are doing only one time.

• The other person is to try and build the same thing without seeing what is being build.

• They must use at least 35 Legos in the construction and be at least seven different sizes or colors.

CommunicationCommunication• Did the Lego objects look the same?• Probably not.After looking and discussing take that object apart.• Let’s add some communication skills.• Now one person is to build another object

behind the poster but they can repeat what they say or are doing as many times as they need to.

• The second object must have at least 35 pieces and be at least seven shapes or sizes.

• They need to watch their partner’s facial expressions to see if they understand.

Were the second objects closer to being the same?Were the second objects closer to being the same?

After looking and discussing take that object apart.• Let’s add some more communication skills for

this third creation.• Now the partner can ask as many questions as

they need to.• The builder can repeat any part of the

instructions as needed.• The third object needs to be at least 35 Legos

and have at least seven different shapes and sizes of Legos in the construction.

The third creation should be the The third creation should be the closest match of both partners.closest match of both partners.

• Why was this third creation the closest match?

• What should we do in real life situations?• Think about how important effective

communication is to your future.• Write a short reflection in your career

notebook about the relationship of effective communication to your future success.

Teamwork/Cooperative groupTeamwork/Cooperative group

Are there times when people would Are there times when people would rather work alone?rather work alone?

Team members are responsible for Team members are responsible for keeping their team members on task.keeping their team members on task.

How can a team be improved?How can a team be improved? How can a team member be How can a team member be

motivated to participate more?motivated to participate more? Who is responsible for the finished Who is responsible for the finished

product or project when working in a product or project when working in a team?team?

Teamwork Mascot ActivityTeamwork Mascot Activity

Each person must participate in Each person must participate in some part of the planning and some part of the planning and developing of the mascot.developing of the mascot.

Each person must have some Each person must have some involvement.involvement.

All team members are All team members are responsible for the finished responsible for the finished project/product.project/product.

Each GroupEach Group

Students are to sit with the team Students are to sit with the team that the teacher just randomly that the teacher just randomly assigned.assigned.

Follow the instructions and Follow the instructions and direction given in this direction given in this powerpoint. powerpoint.

Teamwork ActivityTeamwork ActivityActivity Objective: Activity Objective: Use teamwork to Use teamwork to

create a model Lego School create a model Lego School Mascot. Mascot.

Mascot Development ActivityMascot Development Activity1.1. Plan your group strategy. Create Plan your group strategy. Create

an an action plan action plan that will serve as that will serve as your guide.your guide.

2.2. Select one person to be the Select one person to be the retriever. (only one person may get retriever. (only one person may get up at any time during this activity)up at any time during this activity)

3.3. Follow all guidelines set forth for Follow all guidelines set forth for the project.the project.

4.4. Abide by any school and class Abide by any school and class rules.rules.

5.5. Treat everyone with respect.Treat everyone with respect.

Mascot Development GuidelinesMascot Development Guidelines

Each group must create a school mascot.Each group must create a school mascot. School mascot must be 6½ inches height X School mascot must be 6½ inches height X

8¾ inches in length and 1¾ inches in 8¾ inches in length and 1¾ inches in width. (Get as close as you can this is a width. (Get as close as you can this is a major part of the judging)major part of the judging)

Mascots will be measures from the widest, Mascots will be measures from the widest, highest and longest points.highest and longest points.

School mascot must stand on it’s own.School mascot must stand on it’s own. School mascot cannot be propped up in any School mascot cannot be propped up in any

way.way. Mascots must be finished in 20 minutes. Mascots must be finished in 20 minutes. All group members must participate.All group members must participate. Only one person may get up at any time Only one person may get up at any time

during this activity.during this activity.

Teamwork guidelinesTeamwork guidelines

All group members must All group members must complete the group evaluation complete the group evaluation form on their group.form on their group.

All group members must remain All group members must remain positive at all times.positive at all times.

All members must contribute to All members must contribute to the activity.the activity.

Teacher will complete a group Teacher will complete a group participation form.participation form.

School Mascot will be judged School Mascot will be judged by:by: Closest to correct measurement in Closest to correct measurement in

height.height. Closest to correct measurement in Closest to correct measurement in

length.length. Closest to correct measurement in Closest to correct measurement in

width.width. Closest to correct replica of original Closest to correct replica of original

school mascot.school mascot. Group participation of all members.Group participation of all members.

What are the advantages of What are the advantages of working in a team as working in a team as compared to working alone?compared to working alone?

What are the disadvantages of What are the disadvantages of working in a team as working in a team as compared to working alone?compared to working alone?