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Communication Styles

Eleventh graders learn the four communication styles — passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive — and why assertive communication, which is honest and respectful, builds the strongest relationships.

Grade 11CASEL: Relationship Skills45 minutes1 class periodCASEL SELExplicit teaching4 StandardsCASEL
Start the Lesson
Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Name communication styles.
  • ✓Match styles to descriptions.
  • ✓Value being assertive.
  • ✓Communicate well.
Essential Question

How you communicate shapes every relationship. There are four main styles — and one works best. What are they?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Match It · Interactive

Match the Communication Style

Project this and match each communication style to its description — tap a style, then tap its description.

🗣️ Match each communication style to its descriptionTry it
Style
What It Means
Now tap its description!
The Lesson · SEL Flow (Check-In · Learn · Practice · Apply · Reflect)

45 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Check-In — Four Styles

5 min

How you communicate shapes every relationship — what are the four styles?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Do a check-in.
  • Ask how they say hard things.
  • Be caring.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Check in.
  • Reflect.
  • Get ready.
2

Learn — Communication Styles

11 min

Students learn.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to Match the Communication Style.
  • Match each one.
  • Note assertive is best.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Match.
  • Note it.
  • Reflect.
3

Practice — Practice

12 min

Students practice.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Rewrite a passive line as assertive.
  • Rewrite an aggressive one.
  • Explain the difference.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Rewrite.
  • Rewrite.
  • Explain.
4

Apply — Apply

11 min

Students apply.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Handle a scenario assertively.
  • State a need clearly.
  • Respect the other person.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Handle it.
  • State it.
  • Respect.
5

Reflect — Reflect

6 min

Students close.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Name a style.
  • Explain assertive.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Name one.
  • Explain it.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the CASEL 5 Social & Emotional Learning Competencies.

CASEL
Relationship Skills

Communicate effectively.

CASEL
Social Awareness

Respect others’ perspectives.

CASEL
Relationship Skills

Use assertive communication.

CASEL
Self-Awareness

Recognize your communication style.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Style + description cards.
  • Sentence frame: “___ communication is ___.”
  • Model each style.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with passive vs. assertive.
  • Match one pair at a time.
  • Use a clear example.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Rewrite lines in each style.
  • Role-play a conflict.
  • Coach assertiveness.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 🗣️Scenario cards
  • 💻Match the Communication Style
  • 📓Journals
  • ✏️Pens
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

communication stylehow you express yourselfpassivenot expressing your needsaggressivedisregarding others’ needspassive-aggressiveindirect angerassertiveclear and respectfulrespectvaluing othersneedswhat you requiretrustconfidence in a relationship
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
What is assertive communication?
Expressing your needs clearly AND respecting others.
QUESTION 2
What is passive communication?
Not expressing your needs and going along with others.
QUESTION 3
Why is assertive communication best?
It’s honest, respectful, and builds trust.

Reflect: speak assertively.

Have students rewrite a passive or aggressive statement in an assertive way. A printable communication sheet is in the SEL library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Relationship Skills: Communication StylesFlip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Relationship Skills: Communication StylesQuiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
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Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Relationship Skills: Communication StylesPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: aggressive, assertive, communication style, needs, passive, passive-aggressive, respect, trust
  1. clear and respectful
  2. confidence in a relationship
  3. valuing others
  4. what you require
  5. not expressing your needs
  6. indirect anger
  7. how you express yourself
  8. disregarding others’ needs

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What is assertive communication?
  2. What is passive communication?
  3. Why is assertive communication best?
Answer key — Part A: 1) assertive · 2) trust · 3) respect · 4) needs · 5) passive · 6) passive-aggressive · 7) communication style · 8) aggressive
Part B: 1) Expressing your needs clearly AND respecting others. 2) Not expressing your needs and going along with others. 3) It’s honest, respectful, and builds trust.