Take Charge!™ Lesson 1:
If you are in a coaching role with a learner, help them find a new
direction band with a compass and communication band. The important
concepts here are values and purposeful goals, and a process for change
and building relationship skills. In this lesson, and throughout the
Take Charge!™ curriculum, we encourage taking action by using
a process designed to integrate: cognitive (thinking), affective (emotion),
language (communication) and conative (action) skills with the compass
metaphor. The compass represents finding direction in life, or establishing
core values. Each direction on the compasses cues in readiness skills,
which when integrated encourages action. For example, North represents
cognition or thinking about the new direction; East represents affect
or emotion relative to the new direction; South represents saying
something or language relative to the new direction; and West represents
the action that will be taken to reach the new direction.
The relationship skills are evaluated and guided by a coach who is
caring and trained. The coach understands and systematically guides
the student through skills and relationship issues using the flexible
communication band., which is the metaphor for working with or relating
to a coach. In this curriculum, a coach can be parent, professional
or paraprofessional, provided the person is properly trained to help
students with learning differences. We invite you to use the following
activities from Take Charge!™ Educational Coaching Workbook
to help someone.
Introduction: Find direction in life. Take Charge!™
In this lesson you will explore different ways to find a new direction
in life. You will examine your personal values. You will begin to
establish clear and flexible communication with a coach.
Use a compass as a symbol for finding a new direction based on your
goals or values. Use a flexible communication band to think about
communicating with your coach.
Activity 1. Find a new direction in your life.
Take out your compass. Think about finding a new direction. As you begin to find a new direction, think about whether you want to change. Is there something you would like to do for yourself? Is there something that might improve your life? By asking yourself questions you will discover a new direction, or as some students have called “true north”. Write your new direction or goal here _________________________ or in your Lessons & Notes book.
Activity 2. Use the flexible communication band to work with your coach.
You have decided on a direction! The next step is to know what you want to accomplish. But first, it is time to establish flexible and effective communication with your coach. Take out the flexible band in your tool kit. Discuss how you will communicate with each other by experimenting with the band. A lot of life involves flexibility, or “give and take”. How do you handle it when plans change? What happens when things turn out differently than what you expected? How do you deal with exciting news or a disappointment? There are lots of ways people react to and cope with change. Sometimes it helps when you know how to work with someone (your coach) to think about things. To cope with change, it helps if you are flexible. Did you realize that finding a new direction is about change? You will have many opportunities to practice flexible communication with your coach. For now, spend a few moments playing with the flexible communication band. This may feel a little like “tug of war” at times. If you know the game, it is some work and some play, and definitely a challenge. Coaching is similar.
Your coach will be flexible (like the communication band), and will guide you based on what you need. If you need firm boundaries, your coach will help you (pull the communication band tight). If you need to stretch your mind or expand your horizons, your coach will encourage you (comfortably stretch the communication band). Both of you will stretch and grow as you learn and work together. Just remember to play and have fun in the process!
Review: Use the compass and the communication band to review this lesson:
Compass- to keep moving in a new direction
As you practice using the skill you learned in this lesson, remember
your new direction and look in all directions – North, East,
South and West. Get in touch with your thoughts (North); feel your
feelings and emotions (East); and organize your words and communication
with others (South). Then decide what action you will take (West).
- N (knowledge, thinking, cognitive skills) This is what I learned about myself
- E (emotions, feeling) This is how I feel about this topic.
- S (say what you think and feel) This is what I will say to ……...
- W (what next, action)This is what I will do to keep moving forward.
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