Teacher: Matthew Bennett

Grade Level: 10-12

Date: October 25, 2016

Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to:

General Outcome 1: Personal Choices

o P9. demonstrate and apply effective communication, conflict resolution and team-building
skills
examine methods of communication, barriers to communication and strategies to
enhance communication

Topics:

Program of Study:

Communication
Team-building

Learning Objectives: In todays class . . .

Career and Life Management

Materials/Resources:

students will engage in a team-building activity to learn

the importance of effective communication skills and
reflect on ways to enhance communication skills.

Paper and pencil for every student

2 different shape drawings enough of each drawing for 1/2 the
students

Introduction:

Students will learn the importance of clear communication as they pair up back-to-back and
attempt to re-create a drawing with only limited verbal instructions. This activity teaches effective
communications skills. It emphasizes the importance of giving clear instructions when presenting
your ideas. Whether giving instructions to a teammate, presenting your student council election
speech, or demonstrating on a poster assignment what you have learned, effective communication
skills are important.

Activities:

Define communication - Ask students to think of one word that comes to mind when they think of
communication. Have students share these words with the class.

Back to Back Communication activity and accompanying discussion questions (see attachment)

Evidence of Learning (Assessment):

In sentence form, write down what you

learned about communication from this
simple activity then share with the group.
Have discussion with the group about
what they learned about communication.

Wrap-up/Reflection:

The ability to communicate effectively with

everyone is essential. Workers in the digital age
must know how to effectively convey and receive
messages in person as well as via phone, email
and social media.
Think about how you communicate. Did you feel
you effectively communicated your answers to all
of the questions in the activity today?
What can you improve in your current face to face
communication and in the digital environment?

Back to Back Communication Activity

Directions:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Split the whole group into teams of two.

Have each pair adjust their chairs and sit back to back.
Issue a copy of the diagram in the figure below to one of each pair of participants.
The person holding the diagram is tasked to explain the shape to his/her partner and the
listener must not see the diagram and should draw it based on his partners description and
directions . The listener is not allowed to ask any questions while receiving directions
from the person holding the diagram.
5. After 2 minutes call the activity to a stop and ask each pair to compare the outcome and how
close the listeners drawing is to the original diagram.
Debrief:

What was it like to give directions?

What was it like to receive directions?

How well did the direction giver describe the diagram?

How well did the drawer interpret the instructions?

What was it like not being allowed to ask questions?

Why are the pictures different, when everyone heard the same message?

Were there problems with both the sending and receiving parts of the communication
process?

Now we will do something to improve the communication process

Directions:
1. Switch roles. Now the listener is allowed to ask questions and ask for clarification from
the person holding the diagram .
2. After 2 minutes call the activity to a stop and ask each pair to compare the outcome and how
close the listeners drawing is to the original diagram
Debrief:

What was it like to give directions?

What was it like to receive directions?

How was it different when the person drawing could ask questions from when he/she
could not?

Once you could ask questions, did that make the job easier? Why?

Why are the pictures different, when everyone heard the same message?

Do you think people communicate differently?

Do you think people receive or perceive the instructions the same?

What should/would you do to clarify?

What stops you from simply asking for help/clarification?

Did you discover any problems with the sending or receiving parts of communication and
how did you overcome this?

How can this be helpful during their everyday communications?

Have you experienced a situation where bad communication was an issue? What
happened? How could have more direct communication have helped?

Stress the importance of asking questions to confirm understanding and ensure the accuracy
of communication

Point out the importance of two way communication, which is highlighted by this simple
exercise.

Images to Draw

PEER FEEDBACK