Creating an Action Plan to Build Community in the Workplace

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  Program Title (as applicable):

  Life Management Skills

  Course Title:

  Life Management Skills

  Course Number:

  8502000

  Career Cluster:

  Human Services

  CIP Number:

  920010600

  Course Type:

  Other High School Programs

  CTE Standard(s) or benchmarks:

  CTE-HS.912.8502000.10.4- Work cooperatively as a group member to achieve organizational goals.

  CTE-HS.912.8502000.1.4- Develop strategies for conflict resolution.

• Unit Outline

  
  

  This lesson is designed to be used with the case study, “Building Community in the Workplace.” See CPALMS resource ID# 215720.

• Career Connection

  
  

  This lesson will help students understand the importance of leadership and the role leaders play in providing opportunities for building positive relationships within the workplace.

• Learning Objectives

  
  

  Students will be able to:

  • Explain the importance of building community and cooperation within the workplace.
  • Create a personalized action plan as a group to provide resolutions to an organization lacking community.

• Prior Knowledge

  
  

  Students should be familiar with/able to:

  • The ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
  • Qualities of an effective leader in operating an organization.
  • Strategies to address conflict resolution.
  • The terms, organizational goals and leadership.

• Guiding Questions

  
  
  • What is the role of a leader in building community?
  • What strategies or techniques can organizations implement to increase cooperation among staff?
  • How can building a positive community within the workplace impact organizational goals?

• Procedure

  
  
  1. To introduce the lesson, distribute the warm up template located on Slide 1 of the attached Student Handout. Ask students to compile a list of barriers or challenges that may prevent individuals from working collaboratively in the workplace. Allow students 3-5 minutes to brainstorm possible barriers. Teachers should allow students to share out and as a whole group discuss commonalities in students' responses.
  2. Transition to the case study by informing students that will examine a case study that involves building community in the workplace when faced with varying perspectives. Provide students with a copy of the case study, “Building Community in the Workplace” (See CPALMS Resource ID# 215720). As students read the case study, instruct them to annotate their page, including underlining and highlighting important information related to leadership or cooperation.
  3. After proving ample time for students to read the case study, ask students to create then share questions they have about the case study and/or pose the following suggested discussion questions (located on Student Handout Slide 2):
  • • What were the challenges presented in the scenario in regard to building community in the workplace?
    • Why do you think Bill is frustrated by Wilma’s rise in the company?
    • Do you think that Jack utilized effective conflict resolution techniques? Why or why not?
  4. As a class, agree on a working definition of “community” that students can apply to the case study scenario. Compile a list of ways students create community at school and home with others on the board or using available technology.
  5. Distribute a copy of the action plan template located on Slide 3 of the attached Student Handout. Inform students that they will now develop a personalized action plan as a group to improve cooperation and community among the staff at StoneBuild. Tell students that each group will present their action plans to the class.
  • • To encourage collaboration, have students select their group.
    • Review each section of the action plan with students to ensure that students understand the expectations of the task. Review important terms such as organizational goals and leadership.
  6. Provide students a set time to work on their action plan as a group. Visit each group to provide guidance or redirect as needed.
  7. Groups will present their action plans. Their presentations will display their action plan Slide, give a synopsis of their action plans as a group, and provide a brief rationale for how their plan addresses the issues in the case study.
  8. To bring the lesson to a close, direct students to the exit assignment (See Slide 4 in attached student handout). Students will be able to reflect on the lesson and compile a list of solutions that will encourage cooperation in the workplace in order to achieve organizational goals. They will also respond to the following questions:
  • • • How will the knowledge gained in this scenario impact your future decisions as a leader?
      • As a member of a team, how can you help build community?
    • Allow students 3-5 minutes to brainstorm possible solutions. If time permits, students' responses can be shared with the whole group.

• Teacher Notes

  
  
  • Implement timers to help with pacing and transitions.
  • As an alternative to presenting in person, students can record their presentations to share with the class.
  • Prior to this lesson, the teacher can provide students will real-world examples of businesses with different approaches to building community.