A Lesson Planning Example

How to create a lesson plan from Right Speech LG #411

You may also want to read just the Lesson Planning instructions without the example, or take a look at the Sample Lesson Plan created with this process.

Step 1: Define Your Core Outcome

Based on the “Action” section of the learning goal, we identify the essential action as:

Students will evaluate their speech patterns by identifying personal examples of any of the four non-virtuous speech actions, then design and implement communication strategies that integrate Buddhist principles of truthfulness, kindness, and timing to create more harmonious interactions with others.

This is the core outcome: students will develop honest self-awareness about their communication habits through gentle introspection and create practical strategies for more mindful, effective speech based on Buddhist ethical principles.

Step 2: Determine the Essential Action

The multi-part skill we’re cultivating includes:

• Vulnerable self-reflection on personal speech patterns and habits. • Personal example identification of the four non-virtuous speech actions in their own experience. • Strategy design using Buddhist communication principles. • Implementation planning for improved communication practices.

Step 3: Rewrite in Student-Friendly Language (Your Big Idea)

Now we translate that core outcome into clear, resonant language for students:

“Honestly look at how you communicate—including mistakes you’ve made—then develop practical strategies to speak in ways that create understanding and reduce conflict.”

This becomes the “big idea” that emphasizes both vulnerable self-awareness and practical application of mindful communication.

Step 4: Determine Session Length and Scope

For this learning goal, consider the complexity of the action and students’ prior knowledge:

• If students have limited background on Buddhist ethics: Plan for 2 class periods • Session 1: Learn about right speech principles and practice identifying the four non-virtuous speech actions. • Session 2: Personal reflection and strategy development. • If you have limited time: Could focus on 1 session covering basic principles and one personal application. • For deeper exploration: Could extend to 3 sessions with more practice and implementation time. • The depth depends on the content materials you end up using to supplement the basic framework provided in the learning goal.

Step 5: Develop Learning Objectives

Knowledge Objectives (Bloom: Remember, Understand)

• Students will be able to identify the four non-virtuous speech actions (lying, divisive speech, harsh speech, idle chatter). • Students will understand Buddhist principles of truthfulness, kindness, and timing in communication. • Students will recognize that examining speech patterns requires humility and gentle introspection, not moral judgment.

Understanding Objectives (Bloom: Analyze, Evaluate)

• Students will analyze their own speech patterns with vulnerability and honesty. • Students will evaluate how different communication approaches create or reduce conflict. • Students will assess the impact of timing and intention on communication effectiveness.

Application Objectives (Bloom: Apply, Synthesize, Create)

• Students will design specific communication strategies based on Buddhist principles. • Students will create implementation plans for improving their speech habits. • Students will demonstrate mindful communication techniques in practice scenarios.

Differentiation Note: Each grade band is designed for approximately three grade levels, but teachers know their students. If it seems like a stretch, simplify it; if it seems simple, enrich it. Make sure learning tasks are achievable so students feel the joy of mastery while experiencing appropriate challenges.

Step 6: Design Learning Activities

Resource Development Notes for Teachers

Remember that the framework is not a curriculum. The knowledge content, guiding questions, and resource links are jumping-off points for educators to research and build the materials they need to teach the content. For this topic, consider gathering:

• Specific examples of the four non-virtuous speech actions in contemporary contexts. • Materials about creating safe spaces for vulnerable self-reflection. • Case studies showing how gentle introspection leads to positive change. • Age-appropriate examples demonstrating that personal growth comes from honest self-examination, not judgment.

Session 1: Understanding Right Speech Principles (50 minutes)

Opening Reflection (10 minutes). Use the “Experience” and “Guiding Questions” sections:

Prompt: “Think of a time when your words had an unintended negative effect. What happened? How did it feel to realize the impact?”

Content Delivery (25 minutes). Use the “Content Knowledge” section as the foundation, supplemented with additional materials:

• Introduce right speech as mindful communication requiring gentle self-examination • Emphasize that this practice is about growth, not judgment • Teach the four non-virtuous speech actions with concrete examples: • Lying/false speech. • Divisive speech (creating division). • Harsh speech (cruel, aggressive words). • Idle chatter (meaningless talk that wastes time or causes harm). • Explain Buddhist principles: truthfulness, kindness, and timing. • Introduce the five questions for mindful speaking.

Practice Activity (10 minutes): Students practice identifying non-virtuous speech in hypothetical scenarios (not personal examples yet).

Reflection (5 minutes): Students consider: “What makes honest self-reflection feel safe vs. scary?”

Session 2: Personal Reflection and Strategy Development (50 minutes)

Vulnerable Self-Evaluation Activity (20 minutes). Based on the updated “Action” section:

• Create a safe, non-judgmental space for personal reflection. • Students honestly identify their own examples of using non-virtuous speech. • Emphasize this is about growth and vulnerability, not shame. • Use guided reflection questions to help students examine their patterns with gentleness.

Strategy Design (20 minutes):

• Students create specific strategies for improving their communication. • Focus on practical techniques for implementing truthfulness, kindness, and timing. • Develop personal communication goals based on their honest self-assessment.

Implementation Planning (10 minutes):

• Students create realistic action plans for practicing new communication approaches. • Include strategies for maintaining gentle self-awareness without self-judgment.

Step 7: Determine Assessments

Assessment Focus

Assessment means looking at student work to see evidence of mastery of the ACTION.

Formative Assessment

Can be based on informal observations while students are engaging during lessons, with support from teacher and peers:

• Session 1: Observation during scenario analysis activities. • Session 2: Review of personal reflection process and strategy development (with appropriate privacy considerations).

Summative Assessment

Should show students demonstrating mastery without support:

High-Level Demonstrations (writing to a prompt, creating a project, or giving a presentation are effective ways for students to show what they know, understand, and can do):

• Personal reflection essay: Students demonstrate vulnerable self-examination of their speech patterns, identify specific personal examples of non-virtuous speech, and present detailed strategies for implementing right speech principles. • Communication improvement plan: Students design a practical plan for mindful speech practice, including methods for gentle self-monitoring and growth. • Case study analysis: Students apply right speech principles to analyze communication scenarios, showing understanding of how vulnerability and introspection lead to better communication.

Step 8: Break Down the Action into Student-Friendly Steps or Tasks

Step 1: Learn About Right Speech and Self-Reflection (Session 1 – Part 1)

• Understand what makes communication helpful vs. harmful. • Learn the four types of speech to avoid. • Discover that honest self-examination is about growth, not judgment.

Step 2: Practice Identifying Non-Virtuous Speech (Session 1 – Part 2)

• Recognize examples of non-virtuous speech in scenarios and media. • Learn the five questions for mindful speaking. • Begin to notice speech patterns without judgment.

Step 3: Examine Your Own Speech Patterns (Session 2 – Part 1)

• Honestly identify your own examples of non-virtuous speech. • Practice vulnerable self-reflection with gentleness. • Understand this process as personal growth, not criticism.

Step 4: Design Personal Improvement Strategies (Session 2 – Part 2)

• Create specific plans for more mindful communication. • Focus on truthfulness, kindness, and good timing. • Develop practical techniques you can use in real situations.

Step 5: Plan Gentle Implementation (Session 2 – Part 3)

• Set realistic goals for changing communication habits. • Create systems for self-monitoring that emphasize growth over perfection. • Develop ongoing practices for vulnerable self-examination and improvement.

This step-by-step breakdown ensures students can successfully complete the complex action by building skills systematically, with special emphasis on creating a safe space for the vulnerable self-reflection that the revised learning goal emphasizes.