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The Active Listener: Hearing Beyond Words

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Lesson Plan

The Active Listener: Hearing Beyond Words Lesson Plan

Students will be able to identify and demonstrate the key components of active listening: paying attention, asking clarifying questions, and reflecting on what others have said. Students will practice these skills in various interactive activities.

Active listening is a fundamental life skill that improves communication, reduces misunderstandings, and builds empathy. Mastering it helps students connect more deeply with peers and teachers, fostering a more positive and supportive environment both inside and outside the classroom.

Audience

5th-7th Grade Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussions and practical activities.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Active Listening Slides, Active Listening Discussion Guide, and Active Listening Worksheet

Prep

Prepare Materials & Review

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What's the Word?

10 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "When someone is talking to you, what does it mean to really listen?" Allow a few students to share their initial thoughts.
    - Introduce the concept of "active listening" as listening with your whole self – not just your ears.
    - Explain that today, they will learn concrete strategies to become amazing active listeners. (Refer to Active Listening Slides Slide 2)

Step 2

Understanding Active Listening

15 minutes

  • Use the Active Listening Slides (Slides 3-6) to introduce the three core components of active listening:
    1. Paying Full Attention: Eye contact, body language, putting distractions away.
    2. Asking Clarifying Questions: "Can you tell me more?", "What did you mean by...?", "Help me understand..."
    3. Reflecting/Paraphrasing: "So, if I understand correctly, you're saying...", "It sounds like you feel..."
    - Provide brief examples for each component, perhaps acting out good and bad examples with a student volunteer or two.

Step 3

Pair Share: Practice Makes Perfect

20 minutes

  • Divide students into pairs.
    - Distribute the Active Listening Worksheet.
    - Explain the activity: One student will share a recent positive experience (e.g., a fun weekend, a school achievement) for 2 minutes. The other student will practice active listening, focusing on all three components. They should use the prompts on the Active Listening Worksheet to guide their questions and reflections.
    - After 2 minutes, the students will switch roles.
    - Circulate around the room, providing feedback and encouragement, and ensuring students are using the skills.

Step 4

Group Discussion & Reflection

10 minutes

  • Bring the class back together for a whole-group discussion using the Active Listening Discussion Guide.
    - Prompt students with questions like: "What felt different about actively listening compared to regular listening?" and "What challenges did you face?"
    - Emphasize how these skills can help in school, with friends, and at home.

Step 5

Cool Down: One Big Takeaway

5 minutes

  • Ask students to write down one key takeaway or one active listening strategy they plan to use this week.
    - Collect the Active Listening Worksheet (optional, for review).
    - Conclude by reiterating the power of active listening in building understanding and strong relationships.
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Slide Deck

The Active Listener: Hearing Beyond Words

How well do you really listen?

Welcome students and introduce the day's topic. Ask a warm-up question to get them thinking about what 'listening' really means. Emphasize that active listening goes beyond just hearing words.

Why Active Listening Matters

Active listening helps us to:

  • Understand others better
  • Communicate more clearly
  • Build stronger relationships
  • Solve problems together

Explain the importance of active listening in various parts of their lives - school, friends, family. Set the stage for why this skill is valuable for them.

1. Pay Full Attention

When someone is talking, show them you are listening with your whole self:

  • Eye Contact: Look at the speaker (if comfortable).
  • Body Language: Face the person, nod, show you're engaged.
  • Eliminate Distractions: Put away phones, stop doodling, focus your mind.

Introduce the first key component. Discuss eye contact, body language (facing the speaker, open posture), and minimizing distractions (phones away, not fidgeting). Ask for examples of what 'paying full attention' looks like.

2. Ask Clarifying Questions

Sometimes we need more information to truly understand. Ask questions like:

  • "Can you tell me more about that?"
  • "What did you mean when you said...?"
  • "Help me understand why that's important to you."

Introduce the second component. Explain that asking questions shows you're engaged and want to understand. Provide examples of good clarifying questions. Encourage students to think about when they might use these.

3. Reflect and Paraphrase

Show the speaker you heard and understood them by repeating back what you think they said, in your own words:

  • "So, if I understand correctly, you're saying..."
  • "It sounds like you're feeling..."
  • "What I hear you saying is..."

Introduce the third component. This is often the trickiest but most powerful. Explain that paraphrasing ensures you understood correctly and shows the speaker you heard them. Give simple examples of how to rephrase what someone said.

Practice Makes Perfect!

Active listening is a skill that gets better with practice.

Now, let's put these skills to the test!

Wrap up the direct instruction. Remind them that practice is key and that they will now get to try these skills out in an activity.

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Activity

Pair Share: Active Listening Practice

Objective: To practice the three components of active listening in a guided peer conversation.

Instructions:

  1. Find a Partner: You will work in pairs for this activity.
  2. Role A: The Sharer (2 minutes):
    • Share a recent positive experience you had. This could be about a fun weekend, a school achievement, a new hobby, or anything that made you happy.
    • Speak clearly and share enough details for your partner to listen actively.
  3. Role B: The Active Listener (2 minutes):
    • Your job is to truly listen to your partner, using the skills we just discussed.
    • Pay Full Attention: Make eye contact (if comfortable), face your partner, and put away any distractions. Show them you are engaged with your body language (nodding, open posture).
    • Ask Clarifying Questions: If something isn't clear or you want to know more, ask questions like: "Can you tell me more about that?" or "What did you mean when you said...?"
    • Reflect and Paraphrase: Every so often, try to rephrase what your partner said in your own words to check your understanding. For example: "So, if I understand correctly, you're saying..." or "It sounds like you felt...". You can use the Active Listening Worksheet to help you.
  4. Switch Roles: After 2 minutes, the teacher will signal. Switch roles so the other partner gets to be the Sharer, and you get to be the Active Listener.
  5. Be Thoughtful: Remember, the goal is not just to hear words, but to understand your partner. Your active listening helps them feel heard and valued.
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Discussion

Active Listening Discussion Guide

Objective: To reflect on the experience of active listening and understand its impact.

Opening Questions:

  1. What did it feel like to be the Sharer in the activity? Did you feel truly heard? Why or why not?



  2. What did it feel like to be the Active Listener? Was it harder or easier than you expected? What surprised you?



Reflecting on the Skills:

  1. Which of the three active listening skills (paying attention, asking clarifying questions, reflecting/paraphrasing) did you find easiest to use? Which was the most challenging?



  2. Can you give an example of a good clarifying question you heard or asked?



  3. Can you give an example of when reflecting or paraphrasing really helped you understand your partner better?



Real-World Application:

  1. How do you think active listening can help you in other parts of your life, like with your friends, family, or other teachers?



  2. When might it be especially important to use active listening skills?



  3. What is one thing you will try to do differently in conversations this week to be a more active listener?



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Worksheet

Active Listening Practice Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: _____________

Instructions: Use this worksheet during the Pair Share activity. If you are the Active Listener, use these prompts to help you practice the skills. If you are the Sharer, listen for how your partner uses these skills.

Part 1: When you are the Active Listener

Sharer's Topic: _________________________________________________________________

1. Paying Full Attention

  • What did you do to show your partner you were paying attention?



  • Were there any distractions? How did you handle them?



2. Asking Clarifying Questions

  • Write down at least two clarifying questions you asked your partner.




    2. _________________________________________________________________



3. Reflecting/Paraphrasing

  • Write down at least two times you reflected or paraphrased what your partner said.
    1. "So, if I understand correctly, you're saying..."



    2. "It sounds like you felt..."



Part 2: When you are the Sharer

Active Listener's Name: ____________________________________________________

  • How did your partner show they were actively listening to you?



  • Did their questions or reflections help you feel understood? Explain.



  • What was one thing your partner did particularly well as an active listener?



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