After This Lesson You’ll Be Able To
- Tier 1 (9th–10th Grade): Spot unclear messages and rewrite them to be more specific and complete.
- Tier 2 (11th–12th Grade): Apply the 5 C’s of professional communication—Clear, Concise, Complete, Courteous, Correct—to real workplace messages.
1. Kick-Off (2-3 min)
Prompt: Read this text: “Hey can you finish that thing soon? Need it ASAP.” What’s missing?
Goal: Show how vague language causes confusion and mistakes.
2. Core Concepts (5-7 min)
| Communication Skill | What It Means | Practice Moves |
|---|---|---|
| Clear | Say exactly what you mean. | “Please upload the poster file by 3 PM today.” |
| Concise | Keep it brief without losing meaning. | Remove filler words; one idea per sentence. |
| Complete | Include all key details—who, what, when, where, how. | Add missing info like deadlines or contacts. |
| Courteous | Use polite tone and respect others’ time. | “Good morning, here’s the draft you requested.” |
| Correct | Check grammar, spelling, and facts. | Proofread once before sending. |
Mini Demo: Show “before” and “after” versions of an unclear email. Ask: “What changed to make it easier to understand?”
3. Guided Work Time (12-15 min)
Tier 1 — Message Fix Activity
- Students receive three unclear messages.
- Rewrite each using the 5 C’s checklist.
- Compare answers with a partner.
Tier 2 — Professional Email Challenge
- Write a short email to a teacher or supervisor requesting an extension or clarification.
- Apply the 5 C’s and peer-review for tone and completeness.
4. Reflection (2-3 min)
Exit Ticket (Schoology or Paper):
- Which of the 5 C’s do you need to improve most?
- How could unclear communication hurt someone’s reputation or project?