Speaking Negatively

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  Program Title (as applicable):

  Fundamentals of Finance

  Course Title:

  Fundamentals of Finance

  Course Number:

  8540400

  Career Cluster:

  Finance

  CIP Number:

  148540400M

  Course Type:

  EXPL – Middle School Programs

• Unit Outline

  
  

  This lesson is designed to be used with the case study, “Negatively Speaking.” See CPALMS resource ID# 219704.

• Career Connection

  
  

  Career connections that accompany this lesson can be essential for students’ future success in any workplace. These include job interviews, professional networking, and workplace readiness. This lesson incorporates durable skills such as positive attitudes, communication skills, active listening, problem-solving and adaptability, and interpersonal and social skills. This lesson supports students in developing career-building skills and gaining industry content knowledge by simulating real-world professional interactions.

• Learning Objectives

  
  

  Students will be able to:

  • Recognize the importance of a positive attitude in obtaining and maintaining a job.
  • Practice using oral communication to introduce themselves and present a response to a provided prompt.

• Prior Knowledge

  
  

  Students should be familiar with/able to:

  • Basic job application requirements.
  • Basic communication skills.
  • Social awareness and etiquette.
  • Workplace expectations (as they related to school expectations).
  • Giving presentations or public speaking.
  • Job roles and employer expectations.

• Guiding Questions

  
  
  • How can demonstrating a positive attitude help someone obtain and maintain a career?
  • How can good communication and networking skills help you in future school or job interviews?

• Procedure

  
  
  1. Introduction: The teacher begins by explaining the concept of networking and its importance in job success. Use the attached Speaking Negatively PPT (slide 2) to display the following definition: Job Networking is the process of building and nurturing professional relationships to help with career advancement, job searches, and career development.
  2. Discussion and Sharing: Continue to display the Speaking Negatively PPT, slide 3. Have students consider the following question, “How can a positive attitude help secure and maintain a job?” Once students have time to think independently, have them share and discuss with a partner and then have the class share out to the whole group.
  3. Identifying Positive and Negative Workplace Behaviors: Using the Speaking Negatively PPT (slides 4-9) have students identify whether the displayed behavior is acceptable (positive) or not acceptable (negative) in a workplace.
  4. Handshake Model: Continue using the Speaking Negatively PPT slide 10 to demonstrate for students how to give a handshake properly and introduce themselves professionally. Then have students try it with a partner.
  5. Read "Negatively Speaking" Case Study: Provide students with a copy of the case study, “Negatively Speaking,” (see CPALMS resource ID #219704) and read as a whole class aloud or have students read in groups or with a partner.
  6. Case Study Discussion: Have students discuss the following questions in whole group or turn and talk with a partner. See the Speaking Negatively PPT slide 11 to display the questions.
     • How could Tanner have shown professionalism in his responses to his colleagues?
     • What if Tanner had a positive attitude during his workday? How could the impact of teamwork and collaboration help his situation?
     • Can you think of a time when staying positive helped you overcome a challenge? How did it affect the outcome?
     • What are some ways Tanner could have shown professionalism in a conversation with his boss or a client?
     • What differences do you notice when speaking with someone who has a positive versus a negative attitude?
     • How can these communication and networking skills help you in future school or job interviews?
  7. "Speed Networking” Student-Centered Activity: Setup desks in pairs facing each other, where students can rotate every few minutes. Each student will introduce themselves (handshake and name), answer a prompt that will be given to them or taped to the desk and engage in a short conversation with their partner. Example prompts provided on the Speed Networking Prompt attachment. The timer will signal when students must rotate to the next person (do this as many rounds as you want). Display the students directions and expectations provided on slide 13 of the Speaking Negatively PPT.
  8. Conclusion Exit Slip:To bring the lesson to a close, students will complete the Reflection and Score Card exit slip. To prepare the exit slips, print them double sided and cut in half. Each student will receive one half, with the reflection questions on one side and the score card on the other. On the first side, students will answer three reflection questions about the activity. Next, students will flip over the exit slip and complete a self-reflection and evaluation about their attitude during the speed networking activity. They will also write one professional goal about how they will maintain a positive attitude in future school or job situations. Display the Speaking Negatively PPT slide 14 to show students the directions.
  9. Future of Work Discussion Questions:After completing the exit slip, the teacher can have students reflect as a whole class and verbally ask some of the following questions.
  • How do you think maintaining a positive attitude will help you succeed in your future career?
  • What challenges might you face in a job, and how can a positive mindset help you overcome them?
  • In what ways did this lesson prepare you for real-world networking and job interviews?
  • Why do employers look for strong communication skills in employees?
  • How do nonverbal cues (like eye contact and body language) influence professional interactions?
  • What industries or careers interest you, and how do the skills from this lesson apply to those fields?
  • How can staying positive impact teamwork and workplace relationships?
  • What is one strategy you learned today that you plan to use in a future job setting?
  • Reflect on a professional goal you want to achieve. How can communication and attitude help you reach that goal?
  • How can you continue practicing these skills as you prepare for your future career?

• Teacher Notes

  
  
  • Keep the “Speed Networking” groups of two to three students.
  • Notes about timers are provided on the speaker notes in the PowerPoint presentation.
  • Teachers can choose to add pictures to the slides to help students visualize the behaviors.
  • Print the exit slip double-sided and then cut in half to create a half-slip.