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Can You Hear That?

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Lesson Plan

Can You Hear That? Lesson Plan

Students will be able to practice mindful listening by identifying and describing sounds in their environment without judgment.

This lesson helps students develop focused attention and active listening skills, distinguishing between internal and external sounds, crucial for academic success and emotional well-being.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Through guided practice and partner activities, students will enhance their auditory awareness.

Materials

Art of Listening Slides, Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Sound Scavenger Hunt Worksheet, and Mindful Listening Discussion Questions

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Opening Breathing Exercise

5 minutes

  • Begin with a brief guided breathing exercise (e.g., three deep breaths).
    - Ask students to gently close their eyes or lower their gaze.
    - Instruct them to simply notice their breath for a few moments, observing the inhale and exhale without trying to change anything.

Step 2

Introduction to Mindful Listening

10 minutes

  • Use the Art of Listening Slides to introduce the concept of mindful listening.
    - Define mindful listening as paying attention to sounds with curiosity and without judgment.
    - Discuss the difference between hearing and listening, and external vs. internal sounds.
    - Engage students with questions like: 'What does it mean to truly listen?' and 'Why is mindful listening important?'

Step 3

Guided Practice: Listening to Sounds

10 minutes

  • Guide students through a silent listening exercise.
    - Instruct them to sit quietly, close their eyes (or lower gaze), and simply observe sounds for 2-3 minutes.
    - Prompt them to notice sounds far away, close by, subtle, and prominent.
    - After the exercise, ask students to share what they noticed. Emphasize observation over judgment.

Step 4

Mindful Listening Partner Activity

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Sound Scavenger Hunt Worksheet.
    - Pair students up and instruct them to work together to identify and describe sounds in and around the classroom, filling out their worksheets.
    - Encourage them to use descriptive language and to practice mindful listening with their partners, taking turns sharing what they hear.

Step 5

Debrief and Take-Home Challenge

5 minutes

  • Bring the class back together for a debrief using the Mindful Listening Discussion Questions.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion about their experiences with the activity.
    - Introduce a 'take-home challenge' to practice mindful listening in their daily lives (e.g., during dinner, walking to school).
    - Ask students to reflect on how mindful listening might impact their relationships or understanding of their environment.
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Slide Deck

Can You Hear That? The Art of Mindful Listening

Exploring the world of sound with intention and awareness.

Welcome students and set a calm tone. Begin the breathing exercise before moving to this slide.

What is Mindful Listening?

• Paying attention to sounds on purpose
• In the present moment
• Without judgment
• With curiosity and openness

Introduce the core concept. Ask students what comes to mind when they hear 'mindful.' Connect it to paying attention.

Hearing vs. Listening

• Hearing: The passive act of perceiving sound.
• Listening: The active process of making sense of sound.

Explain the difference clearly. Use an example like background noise vs. focusing on a conversation.

External vs. Internal Sounds

• External Sounds: Sounds from the world around us (e.g., birds, traffic, voices).
• Internal Sounds: Sounds from within our own bodies or minds (e.g., heartbeat, thoughts, stomach rumbling).

Guide students to think about sounds within and outside themselves.

Time to Listen: Guided Practice

• Sit comfortably.
• Gently close your eyes or lower your gaze.
• Notice sounds without judgment.
• What do you hear?

Give clear instructions for the guided practice. Remind them it's okay if their mind wanders.

Sound Scavenger Hunt

• Work with a partner.
• Use your Sound Scavenger Hunt Worksheet.
• Find and describe sounds in our environment.
• Listen actively and share what you discover!

Explain the Sound Scavenger Hunt Worksheet and partner activity.

Reflect and Challenge!

• What did you notice?
• How can mindful listening help you daily?
• Take-Home Challenge: Practice mindful listening for 5 minutes at home today!

Prepare for the debrief and introduce the take-home challenge. Connect back to the 'Why' of the lesson.

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Worksheet

Sound Scavenger Hunt

Name: ____________________________

Partner(s): _________________________

Instructions: Work with your partner(s) to mindfully listen to the sounds around you. For each category below, try to identify and describe at least two different sounds. Remember to listen without judgment, just observe what you hear!

Part 1: Sounds in the Classroom

  1. A sound from a person:



  2. A sound from an object:



  3. A very quiet sound:



  4. A repetitive sound:



  5. A sound you usually ignore:



Part 2: Sounds from Outside the Classroom (if applicable, or imagine them if not)

  1. A sound from nature:



  2. A sound from transportation:



  3. A distant sound:



Part 3: Reflection

  1. What was the most surprising sound you heard today?






  2. How was this different from just "hearing" things? What did you notice when you listened mindfully?






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Discussion

Mindful Listening Discussion Questions

Use these questions to facilitate a class discussion after the Mindful Listening Partner Activity.

Opening Questions

  1. What was it like to actively focus on sounds for a few minutes? Was it easy or challenging? Why?



  2. What kinds of sounds did you and your partner discover during the Sound Scavenger Hunt that you normally wouldn't notice?



  3. Can you give an example of an external sound you heard? What about an internal sound you noticed (even if it was just a thought)?



Deeper Reflection

  1. How is mindful listening different from just hearing? What extra steps did you take today?



  2. When might practicing mindful listening be helpful in your daily life (e.g., in school, with friends, at home)?



  3. Did you notice any judgments or stories your mind created about the sounds? How did you try to let those go?



Connecting to the Challenge

  1. For the take-home challenge, where are you going to try practicing mindful listening tonight or tomorrow?



  2. What do you hope to gain by bringing more mindful listening into your life?

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