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Sharing Sounds & Caring Hearts

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Lesson Plan

Sharing Sounds & Caring Hearts

Students will learn to practice active listening by paying attention to others when they speak and will understand the importance of taking turns in conversations.

Developing active listening and turn-taking skills helps Pre-K children build strong social connections, understand others' perspectives, and communicate effectively, fostering a positive classroom environment.

Audience

Pre-K Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive stories, songs, and games will guide children in practicing active listening and turn-taking.

Materials

Storybook: 'Llama Llama Mad at Mama' or similar book about sharing/listening, Soft ball or 'talking stick' for turn-taking game, Sharing Sounds & Caring Hearts Slide Deck, Listen Up! Game, and Conversation Station Discussion

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-up: Listen to My Sound

5 minutes

  • Begin with a simple listening activity where the teacher makes a sound (e.g., clapping a rhythm, animal sound), and students try to identify it quietly.
    - Transition by asking, "What does it mean to really listen?"

Step 2

Story Time: Active Listening Adventure

10 minutes

  • Read a storybook like 'Llama Llama Mad at Mama', emphasizing characters who listen or don't listen.
    - Pause to ask questions: "How do you think Llama Llama felt when Mama wasn't listening?" or "What could they have done differently?"
    - Introduce the idea of 'listening with our ears and our eyes' using the Sharing Sounds & Caring Hearts Slide Deck.

Step 3

Game: Listen Up! Talking Ball/Stick

10 minutes

  • Introduce the Listen Up! Game where students pass a soft ball or talking stick.
    - Only the person holding the ball/stick gets to speak, and everyone else practices active listening.
    - Prompt students to share one thing they like to do or a favorite animal.

Step 4

Discussion: Conversation Station

5 minutes

  • Lead a brief Conversation Station Discussion about what they learned.
    - Ask: "Why is it important to take turns talking?" and "How does it feel when someone listens to you?"
    - Reinforce the idea that everyone's voice is important when we share sounds and caring hearts.
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Slide Deck

Sharing Sounds & Caring Hearts

Let's learn how to be great listeners and talkers!

Greet students and introduce the topic of how we talk and listen to each other.

What is Listening?

• Using your ears to hear words
• Using your eyes to look at the person talking
• Showing with your body that you are ready to listen

Explain what active listening means using simple terms. Emphasize using ears and eyes.

Taking Turns to Talk

• Everyone gets a chance to share!
• When one person talks, others listen.
• We wait patiently for our turn.

Introduce the idea of taking turns speaking, like a game. Explain why it's important for everyone to get a chance.

Let's Practice!

How do we show we are listening?


How do we know it's our turn to talk?

Ask students to show with their hands or by example how they listen.

You Are Amazing Listeners!

Keep sharing your sounds and caring hearts!

Conclude by reminding them that sharing sounds and caring hearts makes everyone feel good.

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Game

Listen Up! Game

Objective: To practice active listening and taking turns speaking.

Materials:

  • One soft ball or a "talking stick"

Instructions:

  1. Gather in a Circle: Have all students sit in a circle on the floor.
  2. Introduce the "Talking Tool": Hold up the soft ball or talking stick and explain that only the person holding this object gets to speak. Everyone else practices active listening by looking at the speaker and listening with their ears.
  3. Start the Game: The teacher starts by holding the talking tool and sharing something simple, like "My favorite animal is a cat." or "I had toast for breakfast."
  4. Pass the Tool: After speaking, the teacher gently passes the talking tool to the student next to them.
  5. Student Shares: The student who receives the talking tool then shares their own thought. Remind them to speak clearly so everyone can hear.
  6. Active Listening: Encourage students who are not holding the talking tool to look at and listen to the person speaking.
  7. Continue Around the Circle: Continue passing the talking tool around the circle until everyone who wants to share has had a turn.
  8. Reinforce Positive Behavior: Praise students for listening quietly and for taking turns.
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Discussion

Conversation Station Discussion

Objective: To reflect on the importance of active listening and taking turns.

Instructions:

  1. Gather for Reflection: Bring students back together in a comfortable discussion area, perhaps the same circle from the game.
  2. Start with a Review: "We just played a game where we listened and took turns talking. What did you notice during our game?"
  3. Prompt 1: Why Listen? "Why do you think it's important to listen carefully when someone else is talking? How does it make you feel when someone listens to you?"






  4. Prompt 2: Why Take Turns? "What would happen if everyone talked at the same time? Why is it helpful to take turns when we are sharing our ideas?"






  5. Prompt 3: Listening Superstars: "What are some ways we can show our friends and teachers that we are listening superstars? (e.g., looking at them, keeping our bodies still, waiting our turn)"






  6. Connect to Everyday: "How can we use our listening ears and turn-taking voices during playtime or when we are working on projects together?"






  7. Positive Reinforcement: End by praising the students for their thoughtful contributions and reinforcing the value of these skills for a happy classroom.
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Sharing Sounds & Caring Hearts • Lenny Learning