Teacher Call-and-Response Lines

Warm-Up Introduction

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! To kick off our lesson today, I want you to think about this question: When do you feel most heard? Take a moment to really consider what that feels like. What actions or words from others make you feel truly listened to?"

Teacher: "Now, turn to a partner and share your thoughts for about two minutes. Listen carefully to each other's experiences."

Teacher: "Alright, let's bring it back to the whole group. Would a few volunteers like to share what came up in your discussions? What did you notice about when people feel most heard?"

Vocabulary Introduction

Teacher: "Excellent insights! Today, we're diving deeper into the art of communication, specifically focusing on listening. We'll explore some key terms that will help us understand how to be better listeners and create environments where everyone feels comfortable sharing."

Active Listening

Teacher: "Our first term is active listening. This isn't just about hearing words; it's about fully concentrating on what someone is saying, not just passively taking in sound. Think about it: when you actively listen, you're engaged, you're processing, and you're trying to understand. It involves paying attention, showing you're listening through verbal and non-verbal cues, and even providing feedback. It also means deferring judgment and responding appropriately. For example, making eye contact, nodding, or asking a clarifying question like, 'So, if I understand correctly, you're saying...?' can show active listening."

Empathy

Teacher: "Next, we have empathy. How many of you have heard this word before? What does it mean to you?"

Teacher: "That's right! Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. When we listen with empathy, we're not just trying to grasp the facts; we're trying to understand the emotions and perspective behind the words. This is incredibly powerful for building deeper connections and trust."

Communication Cues

Teacher: "Let's talk about communication cues. These are the signals we send and receive. They can be verbal, like the words we choose, our tone of voice, or how quickly we speak. And they can be non-verbal, like our body language, facial expressions, or how much eye contact we make. What are some non-verbal cues you've noticed people use when they're excited? Or when they're nervous?"

Teacher: "Exactly! These cues tell us so much, sometimes more than words alone. Being aware of them, both in ourselves and others, helps us communicate more effectively."

Psychological Safety

Teacher: "Finally, a very important concept for teamwork and well-being: psychological safety. This is a shared belief within a group that it's safe to take interpersonal risks. What do you think that means? What does it feel like to be in a group where you feel psychologically safe?"

Teacher: "Fantastic points. It means feeling comfortable enough to speak up, ask questions, share ideas, or admit mistakes without fear of embarrassment, rejection, or punishment. It's crucial for learning, innovation, and creating a truly inclusive environment."

Whole-Group Discussion Prompts

Teacher: "You've all just experienced the Mirror-Talk activity. Let's use that experience to deepen our understanding of these concepts. I have a few prompts for our whole-group discussion."

Prompt 1

Teacher: "When you were the speaker in the Mirror-Talk activity, how did it feel to have your partner mirroring your words and body language? Did you feel more heard or understood? Why or why not?"

Prompt 2

Teacher: "When you were the listener, what did you notice about the impact of mirroring on the speaker? What verbal or non-verbal cues did you find most effective in showing you were actively listening?"

Prompt 3

Teacher: "Thinking about our definition of psychological safety, how might active listening contribute to creating a more psychologically safe environment in a group, whether it's in our classroom, a sports team, or a club?"

Prompt 4

Teacher: "What's one challenge you foresee in practicing active listening or building psychological safety, and what's one strategy you might use to overcome it?"

Closing Thought

Teacher: "To wrap up our lesson today, I want to leave you with this thought: 'Listening is the passport to being heard.' What does this statement mean to you, and how do you plan to incorporate active listening into your daily interactions? You can share a quick thought with a partner or jot it down. Thank you all for your thoughtful participation today!"

Mirror-Talk Partner Drill

Objective

To practice active listening techniques, identify verbal and non-verbal communication cues, and understand how these contribute to making others feel heard and fostering psychological safety.

Instructions

1. Find a Partner: Pair up with a classmate.
2. Choose a Speaker and Listener: Decide who will be Partner A (Speaker) and Partner B (Listener) first. You will switch roles.
3. Partner A (Speaker):
   • Speak for 60 seconds about a pre-determined topic. Your teacher will provide the topic, or you can choose from these options:
     • A recent school project you enjoyed or found challenging.
     • A hobby or interest you are passionate about.
     • Your favorite movie, book, or video game and why you like it.
     • A memorable experience from this past week.
   • Speak naturally, as if you are telling a story or sharing an idea.
4. Partner B (Listener):
   • Your role is to actively listen to Partner A.
   • Mirror Key Words/Phrases: When Partner A pauses, gently and subtly repeat 2-3 key words or a short phrase they just said. For example, if Partner A says, "...and then I realized how important teamwork was for the entire project," you might say, "Teamwork was... entire project." This shows you are processing their words.
   • Mirror Body Language: Subtly try to match Partner A's body language (e.g., if they lean forward, you lean slightly forward; if they gesture with their hand, you might subtly mimic the motion). This creates a sense of connection.
   • Maintain Eye Contact: Show engagement by maintaining appropriate eye contact.
   • Avoid Interrupting or Judging: Focus solely on understanding what Partner A is saying and feeling.
5. Switch Roles: After 60 seconds, stop. Now, Partner B becomes the Speaker and Partner A becomes the Listener. Repeat steps 3 and 4.
6. Reflection: After both partners have had a turn as speaker and listener, briefly discuss the following questions with your partner:
   • How did it feel to be mirrored as a speaker? Did it help you feel more heard?
   • As a listener, what did you learn about the importance of verbal and non-verbal cues?
   • What was challenging about the activity? What came easily?

Tips for Success

• Be Subtle: The mirroring should be natural, not robotic or mocking.
• Focus on Understanding: The goal is to deeply understand your partner, not just to repeat words.
• No Pressure to Solve: As the listener, your job is to listen, not to offer advice or solutions.