by Gloria Hash Marcus
www.assertiveskills.com
Assertive skills can positively impact a student’s self-concept. Self confidence gives students more control over their lives. As a student develops a clearer understanding about feelings and goals, assertive skills give one a method for expressing themselves. With each success at expressing themselves, students feel stronger about who they are and their accomplishments. Students develop self-respect in the knowledge that he or she is learning how to take care of themselves.
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As a middle school teacher, I love when students are confident enough to come for extra help or ask questions when they don’t understand something that I’m covering in class. Students and parents alike would benefit from the material that Gloria Marcus covers in her book. Assertiveness is a skill that really allows a student to shine in class.
This book presents the information so logically and clearly. Easy to follow and implement.
As a teacher who works with students with learning differences, I am thrilled to have this book as a resource. It is practical road map for introducing critical communication skills. I love seeing my students’ confidence grow as they learn to speak up for themselves. Their academic motivation and participation increases, too. As the saying goes, success builds success. These practical skills build the confidence that allows students to unleash their full potential in my classroom.
These skills have been very helpful for my daughter in high school. She better sble to advocate her needs with teachers.
During homeroom discussions to build community I often teach the skills discussed in this book, and I find the information stated in a way that the students are able understand and internalize it.
Gloria,
I love your book, “R U Assertive?” It is amazing to me that kids are learning about how to know what they need and stand up for themselves. It has taken me at least six years in counseling to learn what they are learning in middle school!
Thanks!
Gloria Hash Marcus’s book RU Assertive? is a wonderful tool in the classroom! I have seen the skills teach students to be advocating for themselves in a positive and productive way. Not only is it benefiting the students at my school, it is reinforcing assertive skills within the faculty as well.
Overall, this book should be a staple in every developing teenager’s life!
Dear Gloria,
We use your book at our school. It is geared for our 8th grade students. I have seen our students begin to use appropriate I messages. They need lots of practice, but it is worth it.
This provides the reader an opportunity to take responsibility for his life socially, emotionally, and educationally.It addresses the importance of processing receptive and expressive language skills while considering listening,thinking,feeling, supporting, and advocating… with emphasis of vocabulary development. Staying focused with a purpose and using meta-cognitive skills allows him to witness first hand the fruits of his efforts. Hip,hip hooray! I believe in affirmations that create positive self talk. Such an important workbook. Thank you.
I love your book. I love chapter 5. I have tried to blog before. I hope this works.
I really like working with students who are studying the R U Assertive book. It gives them a background in the fact that I need them to speak up and ask questions. It’s hard to help students who seem to be getting it but are slipping through the cracks because they are quiet by nature.
Gloria, this book is just what the doctor ordered. I teach some student’s who have read this book. You can tell it has helped them learn to advocate for themselves. They know what to ask and how to appropriately ask for what they need. I also know of some adults who have said it has helped them as an adult advocate within the family and workplace. Very useful book. Thanks!
R.U. Assertive? is used at my school. One of my eight grade girls came to me last year and said, “This class has made me so-o-o-o powerful! Once I realized that I was blaming others for my mistakes and failures I became empowered to be in charge of my own life. I am now taking responsibility for my actions and directing my future. I am a strong and powerful woman!”
This is why I teach… for the moments when the kids really “get it”… what a gift for an 8th grader! Some adults never reach this moment of clarity! Thank you, Gloria Marcus!!!
Even though this is aimed toward teenagers, I feel it’s just as important to start some of these skills even in the Am Group. We are currently working on Social Skills (bossiness and bullying) in our 3rd grade class and what better way to start than being able to stand up for yourself.
Even though this is geared towards teenagers, I feel it applies to our Am Groupers too. We are working on social skills (bullying and bossiness) and if they can begin to express themselves and stand up for themselves in the third grade, it will help their self-confidence in later grades.
Learning how to speak up effectively and still reflect consideration for another’s opinion is a valuable skill to practice in a classroom, in a family, or on the job. Your book and lectures help build this skill. Thanks.