Words+and+Feelings


 * || =**Title: Words and Feelings : Exercise in Right Speech**=

Grade Level: High School, Young Adult, Adult
(maybe used with middle school; possibly even younger if the script is simplified)

Objective:
After this lesson, the student will be able to:
 * Give the meaning of Right Speech
 * Give one example/aspect of how speech affects actions

Materials:

 * Right Speech script [[file:script.pdf]]
 * Right Speech scenarios [[file:scenarios.pdf]]
 * Paper (8.5x11, ruled)

Preparation:

 * Cut out the Right Speech scenarios
 * Make sure that your whiteboard is clean and has a line down middle
 * Select five words that can invoke thoughts: Example: "love", "terrorist", "spinach", "bigot", "step mother"

Method:
> Give scripts to three people. Have them think over the situation outside the classroom, but strictly to themselves. Give them 2 minutes to read their roles. Give the rest of the class responsibility on what they are to be looking for: i.e. what are the roles that the actors are playing, who was more convincing? why? what did they do? what words did they use? > > One student is: having a bad day, feel lousy, Respond negatively to Everything. > > One student is: having a great day, want to cheer up everyone > > One student is: has a job of supporting what other people say. > > What happened? > > Why? > > What words help people feel a certain way? > > What was effective? > Examples are pacing (faster=more excitement, slower=calmer) > Emphasis and punctuation > Diction (choice of words) > Use (or not) of negation (using "not") > Eye contact > Body language > Train of thought (if you say 'yes' several times, you're likely to say 'yes') > Think before you speak > Partner. Distribute the scenarios. Have the partners take the different parts focusing on Right Speech and awareness. If you have enough time, you can do the other scenario. > Re-iterate the definition of Right Speech. Ask each team how the conversation went. Ask how they felt when concentrating on what they say.
 * 1) Gassho
 * 2) Ask if the students have heard of "sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" Ask what does it mean.
 * 3) Introduce/remind students of "Right Speech". If these students have been to Dharma School for a while ask what does this mean. Right Speech is to say things that is appropriate for the situation in a manner that is appropriate. Give examples. Note that this is always relative to the listener. So one might need to listen and look and know, in order to do Right Speech. Since we seek Enlightenment, this can be said to say the "Truth"
 * 4) Ask Students to write down their thoughts and feelings when you say certain words. Say the words that you have chosen earlier. Students may want to close their eyes. Students should write down the first impressions. Give 30 seconds for each word. Repeat each word once.
 * 5) Role Playing Exercise
 * 1) Discussion
 * 1) Practice
 * 1) Discussion/Evaluation:
 * 1) Closing Gassho

Evaluation:

 * Make sure to ask each student what they remember during the Discussion.

Author:
Mas Nishimura, nish221@gmail.com, San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 2007 ||