Lesson Plan | Teachy's Iteractive Lesson Plan | Active Listening for Communication

Objectives

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to set a clear framework for the students, outlining what they are expected to achieve through engaging with the concept of active listening. By defining the main and secondary objectives, the teacher aims to focus the students' attention on the skills essential for effective communication in their everyday lives, while also highlighting the importance of active listening in building relationships, whether in the classroom or within their communities.

Main Objectives:

1. To enable students to effectively identify verbal and non-verbal cues in communication, enhancing their comprehension and engagement during interactions.

2. To cultivate the skill of providing relevant feedback, demonstrating an understanding of the speaker's message, and encouraging meaningful dialogue.

Introduction

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to ignite students' curiosity and engagement while laying the groundwork for the day's activities. By searching for facts and discussing key questions, students will connect their prior knowledge with real-world applications of active listening. This interactive approach not only fosters a collaborative environment but also primes students for deeper exploration of the topic, emphasizing the role of active listening in effective communication.

Warming Up

To kick off the lesson on Active Listening for Communication, the teacher invites students to grab their smartphones and look up an interesting fact about active listening. This engaging activity encourages students to connect with the digital world while exploring something directly relevant to their daily lives. Sharing these facts will set the tone for the importance of listening in communication, making the lesson relatable and interactive.

Initial Thoughts

1. What do you think makes someone a good listener?

2. Can you recall a time when active listening improved your understanding of a situation?

3. In what ways do you think active listening can help in resolving conflicts?

4. How do non-verbal cues influence your perception of what someone is saying?

5. Why is it essential to provide feedback during conversations?

Development

Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to provide students with an engaging and dynamic activity that allows them to practically apply their understanding of active listening. By utilizing technology and creative formats, students will deepen their comprehension of active listening while fostering collaboration and communication skills in an enjoyable way.

Activity Suggestions

Activity Recommendations

Activity 1 - The Listening Challenge: Social Media Edition

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Goal: To develop students' understanding of active listening and provide them with an opportunity to creatively express this concept through digital storytelling and peer feedback.

- Activity Description: In this activity, students will create a series of Instagram stories to illustrate the importance of active listening through visual storytelling. They will work in groups to devise a short skit focusing on a conversation where one character practices active listening and the other does not. Each group will capture their skit using their smartphones and post it on a private class story. Peers will then view the stories and provide feedback, identifying examples of active listening and areas for improvement.

- Instructions:

• 1. Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students each.
• 2. Each group brainstorms scenarios that demonstrate active listening, such as resolving a conflict or discussing a plan.
• 3. Groups create a short skit that shows the contrast between effective and ineffective listening.
• 4. Using smartphones, they film their skit in a fun and creative way, ensuring both verbal and non-verbal cues are evident.
• 5. Once filming is complete, groups edit their videos (if necessary) and post them on a private Instagram story created for the class.
• 6. After everyone posts their videos, students will take 10 minutes to watch their peers' stories.
• 7. Finally, each group will present their skit to the class and receive feedback from their peers.

Activity 2 - Podcasting: The Power of Listening

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Goal: To enhance students' interviewing skills and understanding of active listening in a conversational context through the creation of a collaborative podcast.

- Activity Description: Students will create a podcast episode focusing on a topic of interest where they discuss the significance of active listening. Each group will select a guest (another student or teacher) to interview. Students will prepare questions that require active listening skills to elicit informative responses. After recording their podcast, they will share it with the class for discussion.

- Instructions:

• 1. Split students into groups of up to 5.
• 2. Each group chooses a relevant topic or theme for their podcast where active listening is crucial.
• 3. Students design a set of questions to guide their interview with a chosen guest.
• 4. Use smartphones or computers to record their podcast episode.
• 5. Once recorded, students will upload their podcasts to a shared class folder.
• 6. Each group listens to a few selected podcasts from their peers.
• 7. Engage in a class discussion to analyze the effectiveness of active listening in the podcasts.

Activity 3 - The Active Listening Game: A Digital Escape Room

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Goal: To reinforce the principles of active listening in a fun, engaging, and competitive setting, utilizing technology as a means to enhance learning.

- Activity Description: In this interactive activity, students will participate in a digital escape room challenge that incorporates scenarios requiring active listening. Teams will solve riddles and challenges by actively listening to audio clues or reading text clues that require careful attention.

- Instructions:

• 1. Organize students into groups of up to 5.
• 2. Download or provide access to a digital escape room platform or website.
• 3. Each team begins in the digital escape room where they must complete tasks related to active listening.
• 4. Students listen to multiple audio clues that will guide them through solving puzzles tied to communication, feedback, and listening strategies.
• 5. Teams work collaboratively to decode messages and solve the escape room challenges.
• 6. After all teams finish, gather for a debrief where each group discusses what listening strategies helped them succeed.

Feedback

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate learning through reflection and feedback. Through the group discussion, students will articulate their insights and experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of active listening. The peer feedback session will encourage collaboration and help students learn from each other’s strengths and areas for improvement, creating a supportive learning environment that emphasizes continuous development.

Group Discussion

"Thank you, everyone, for your fantastic efforts today! Let’s gather around as each group shares their key learnings from the activities. What surprised you about active listening? How did your perspectives change during the process? Let’s make sure to listen actively to each other as we reflect on our experiences!"

Reflections

1. What was your biggest takeaway about active listening from today's activities? 2. How did your understanding of non-verbal cues change while creating the skits and podcasts? 3. In what ways do you think you can apply active listening skills in your daily life?

360º Feedback

"Now, let’s take a moment for 360° feedback. Each person in your group will share one positive piece of feedback and one constructive suggestion for improvement about the contributions made during the activities. Remember to keep it respectful and focused on how we can all grow together!"

Conclusion

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

📖 The purpose of this conclusion stage is to tie together all the exciting learning experiences from today, reinforcing the invaluable skills that active listening brings to our daily interactions. By summarizing the lesson and connecting it to the modern world, students will understand why active listening is essential, not just as a skill but as a pathway to genuine connections in their lives. With this wrap-up, the goal is to inspire students to take these lessons beyond the classroom and implement them in their everyday conversations! 🎈

Summary

🎉 And to wrap it all up, here’s what we dove into today! 🌊 Active listening, like a superhero in our communication toolkit, helps us grasp both what’s said and what’s not. We learned to be attentive detectives of words and body language 🕵️, balancing our responses to spark engaging conversations. From our lively skits and riveting podcasts, we unleashed creativity while discovering how vital it is to really hear and understand each other! Each group showcased how active listening can turn an ordinary chat into a meaningful dialogue, making our interactions feel more vibrant and connected! 🎭✨

World

🌍 In today’s fast-paced digital world, where social media reigns supreme and communication shortcuts abound, the art of active listening becomes crucial. With a single tweet or message often misinterpreted, honing this skill ensures that we engage deeply, avoiding conflicts and misunderstandings. Just like we saw in our skits, listening actively can bridge gaps, not just in classrooms but in every social interaction we encounter, from family discussions to online forums! 📨💬

Applications

🤝 Active listening transcends the classroom. It’s your ticket to successful relationships, whether with friends, family, or even in professional settings later on. When you tune in fully, you affirm others’ feelings, making them feel valued while also ensuring your responses are informed and thoughtful. Picture this: resolving a discord with a friend by genuinely hearing their side can foster trust and connection, showing that communication is more than just talking—it's about listening too! 🎓📢