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Are You a Listening Detective?

Lesson Plan

Are You a Listening Detective?

Students will be able to identify and demonstrate three key behaviors of active listening (e.g., eyes watching, ears listening, quiet mouth) during a group story.

Active listening is a super important skill! When we listen carefully, we understand better, learn more, and show respect to others. This lesson will help students become great listeners, both in school and at home.

Audience

2nd Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction, modeling, partner practice, and a fun game.

Materials

Listening Superheroes Slide Deck, What Good Listening Looks Like Worksheet, and Listening Detective Game

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to Listening

5 minutes

  • Begin with a hook: "Have you ever tried to tell someone something important, but they weren't really listening? How did that make you feel?"
    - Introduce the concept of active listening and the idea of being a 'listening detective.'
    - Use Listening Superheroes Slide Deck slides 1-3 to guide the introduction.

Step 2

Modeling Good Listening

10 minutes

Step 3

Partner Practice

5 minutes

  • Pair students up and have them take turns telling a short, silly story (e.g., about their favorite animal or a dream they had).
    - The listener practices the active listening behaviors discussed (eye contact, quiet mouth, engaged posture).
    - After one minute, have partners switch roles. Observe and provide positive feedback.

Step 4

Listening Detective Game

7 minutes

  • Explain the Listening Detective Game: "I'm going to tell a story or give instructions, and you need to be super listening detectives to catch all the important details!"
    - Read a short story or give a multi-step direction. Afterwards, ask students specific questions that require careful listening to answer.
    - Example: "In my story, what color was the cat's collar?" or "What was the third thing I said to do?"

Step 5

Group Reflection

3 minutes

  • Bring the class back together for a quick reflection.
    - Ask: "What was one thing you learned about being a good listener today?" or "When is it important to be a listening detective?"
    - Reiterate the importance of active listening in and out of the classroom.
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Slide Deck

Are You a Listening Detective?

Let's become super listeners!

Introduce the lesson by asking students about times they've felt heard or unheard. Connect this to the idea of being a 'listening detective.'

What is a Listening Detective?

A detective looks for clues!
A listening detective looks for clues that someone is really listening.

Ask students what they think a detective does. Guide them to understand that a listening detective looks for clues about how someone is listening.

Why Is Listening Important?

So we can learn!
So we can understand!
So we can show respect!

Discuss why listening is important in school, at home, and with friends. Emphasize understanding and showing respect.

Clue #1: Eyes Watching

Look at the person who is talking.
Show them you are focused!

Explain that 'eyes watching' means looking at the person who is speaking. Demonstrate good and poor eye contact.

Clue #2: Ears Listening & Quiet Mouth

Your ears are open and ready to hear.
Your mouth is closed and quiet.
No interrupting!

Explain 'ears listening' means paying attention to the sounds and words. 'Quiet mouth' means not interrupting and waiting for your turn to speak. Model both.

Clue #3: Still Body

Your body is calm and ready.
No wiggles or distractions.

Explain 'still body' means your body is calm and ready to listen, not fidgeting or distracted. Demonstrate.

Listening Superpowers!

Eyes Watching
Ears Listening
Quiet Mouth
Still Body

Summarize the key active listening behaviors. Ask students to show each behavior as you name it.

Practice Time!

Work with a partner.
One person talks, one person listens like a detective.
Then switch!

Explain the partner practice activity. Remind students to practice their 'listening detective' skills.

Listening Detective Game!

Listen closely to the story or instructions.
Find the clues!
Answer the questions to prove you're a super detective!

Introduce the Listening Detective Game. Explain that they will need their best listening skills to win.

You Are Listening Superheroes!

Keep using your listening superpowers every day!
It helps everyone learn and feel important.

Conclude by reviewing the importance of active listening and encouraging students to use their listening superpowers every day.

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Worksheet

What Good Listening Looks Like

Being a listening detective means showing you are truly listening! When someone is talking, what does your body do to show you are listening?

Draw a picture of yourself being a super listening detective! Show what your eyes, ears, mouth, and body are doing when you are actively listening.













Now, write one or two sentences about why it's important to be a listening detective.







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Game

Listening Detective Game!

Objective: To practice active listening by paying close attention to details in a story or set of instructions.

How to Play:

  1. Teacher prepares: The teacher will either prepare a short story to read aloud OR a set of multi-step instructions for a simple activity (e.g., "First, stand up. Second, touch your nose. Third, clap your hands.").

  2. Students get ready: Remind students to use their best listening detective skills: eyes watching, ears listening, quiet mouth, and still body.

  3. Listen carefully: The teacher will read the story or give the instructions ONE time. Students must listen very carefully because they won't hear it again!

  4. Detective Questions: After the story or instructions, the teacher will ask specific questions about the details. These questions require careful listening to answer.

    • Examples for a Story:

      • "What color was the hat the main character was wearing?"
      • "What animal did the character see first?"
      • "What was the character looking for?"

    • Examples for Instructions:

      • "What was the second thing I told you to do?"
      • "How many steps were there in total?"
      • "Who can show me the last step I described?"

  5. Show your listening skills: Students can raise their hands to answer. Praise students who demonstrate great listening by answering correctly!

Why we play: This game helps us practice focusing our attention and remembering important details, which makes us better listeners in class and everywhere else!

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