Active Listening & 'I' Statements Worksheet

Part 1: Active Listening Check-In

Read each scenario and answer the questions.

1. Scenario: Your friend is telling you about a really difficult test they just took. You're thinking about what you want to say about your own test.

   • Are you actively listening? Why or why not?
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • What could you do to show you are actively listening?
     
     
     
     
     
     

2. Scenario: Your parent is giving you instructions for chores, but you're looking at your phone.

   • What non-verbal cues are you sending? What message are they receiving?
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • How could you demonstrate active listening in this situation?
     
     
     
     
     
     

3. Reflect: Why is it important to truly listen to someone, even if you don't agree with them or find their topic less interesting?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Crafting 'I' Statements

Rewrite each

Role-Playing Scenarios Activity

Instructions:

1. Work in pairs or small groups.
2. Each group will be assigned one scenario.
3. Designate one person as 'Speaker' and another as 'Listener' (you can switch roles).
4. The Speaker will present their issue/feeling, practicing clear verbal and non-verbal communication.
5. The Listener will practice active listening skills: maintaining eye contact, nodding, summarizing, and asking clarifying questions.
6. After the initial interaction, the Speaker should then practice using an "I" statement to express their feelings or needs related to the scenario.
7. After each role-play, discuss as a group:
   • What went well?
   • What could be improved?
   • How did it feel to be the Speaker? The Listener?

Scenarios:

Scenario 1: Group Project Troubles

• Speaker's Situation: You are working on a group project, and one member isn't contributing their fair share. You feel stressed and annoyed because you're doing most of the work, and the deadline is approaching.
• Listener's Task: Listen to your partner explain their frustration. Paraphrase what you hear and ask a clarifying question about their feelings or the situation.
• "I" Statement Practice: The Speaker expresses their feelings to the non-contributing group member using an "I" statement.

Scenario 2: Misunderstanding with a Friend

• Speaker's Situation: You feel hurt because a close friend shared a secret you told them in confidence with other people. You are upset and feel like your trust has been broken.
• Listener's Task: Listen carefully to your friend's feelings. Show empathy and summarize their core message.
• "I" Statement Practice: The Speaker tells their friend how they feel about the secret being shared using an "I" statement.

Scenario 3: Disagreement at Home

• Speaker's Situation: You want to go to an event, but your family has other plans for the same evening. You feel disappointed and unheard when you tried to explain why the event is important to you.
• Listener's Task: Listen to your partner's disappointment and frustration. Ask them to explain why the event is so important to them.
• "I" Statement Practice: The Speaker communicates their disappointment and desire for a compromise using an "I" statement.

Scenario 4: A Challenge at School

• Speaker's Situation: You are struggling with a particular subject in school and feel overwhelmed and stressed. You tried studying, but it's not working, and you're worried about your grades.
• Listener's Task: Listen to your partner's concerns. Rephrase their main worries and offer a supportive statement.
• "I" Statement Practice: The Speaker practices asking a teacher or parent for help using an "I" statement to explain their struggle and what they need.

Understanding Communication Discussion Guide

Introduction: Setting the Stage (5 minutes)

• "Today, we've talked about how important communication is. Let's dig a little deeper into some of the nuances."
• "What was one surprising thing you learned or realized about communication today?"

Discussion Questions:

Verbal vs. Non-Verbal (10 minutes)

1. "Think about a time when someone's words said one thing, but their body language or tone of voice said something completely different. What happened? How did that make you feel?"
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. "Why do you think non-verbal cues are sometimes more powerful than verbal cues? Can you give an example from a movie, TV show, or real life?"
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Active Listening (10 minutes)

3. "What are some of the biggest distractions that prevent you from actively listening in your daily life? How can you try to overcome them?"
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. "When someone actively listens to you, how does that make you feel? Why is it so important for building trust and strong relationships?"
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

The Power of "I" Statements (10 minutes)

5. "Why do you think using 'I' statements can help reduce arguments or misunderstandings, compared to 'You' statements (e.g., 'You always make me angry' vs. 'I feel angry when...')?"
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. "Can you think of a situation where an 'I' statement would have made a big difference in how a conversation went? Share with the group."
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Wrap-Up: Applying Our Skills (5 minutes)

• "Looking ahead, what is one specific communication skill (from today's lesson) you commit to practicing this week, either in school or at home?"
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• "How do you think improving your communication skills will impact your relationships and your overall success?"