After This Lesson You’ll Be Able To
- Tier 1 (9th–10th Grade): Identify what active listening means and practice using listening skills in short conversations.
- Tier 2 (11th–12th Grade): Apply active listening strategies in professional or team-based discussions and reflect on how listening impacts outcomes.
1. Kick-Off (2-3 min)
Prompt: Think about a time when someone really listened to you — what made it feel that way? What were they doing (or not doing)?
Goal: Activate awareness of listening as a skill rather than a passive action.
2. Core Concepts (5-7 min)
| Listening Skill | What It Means | Practice Moves |
|---|---|---|
| Paying Full Attention | Being mentally present; not thinking ahead or multitasking. | Put devices away, face the speaker, and make eye contact. |
| Paraphrasing | Restating what the speaker said to show understanding. | “So what I hear you saying is…” |
| Nonverbal Cues | Using body language to show interest and empathy. | Nod, smile, maintain open posture. |
| Questioning for Clarity | Asking short, respectful questions to deepen understanding. | “Could you tell me more about that part?” |
| Avoiding Interruptions | Waiting until the speaker finishes before responding. | Count to two before replying. |
Mini Demo: Instructor pairs with a student to show one example of poor listening (distracted, interrupting) and one of active listening (eye contact, paraphrasing). Ask: “Which version felt more respectful or productive? Why?”
3. Guided Work Time (12-15 min)
Tier 1 — Partner Practice: “Listen and Repeat”
- Partner A speaks for one minute about something they enjoy doing.
- Partner B practices active listening: no interruptions, eye contact, short paraphrase at the end.
- Switch roles.
Reflection Prompt: “How did it feel to be listened to?”
Tier 2 — Role Play: “Team Check-In”
- In small groups, assign roles: Team Lead, Team Member, Observer.
- The Team Lead explains a short problem (e.g., missed deadline).
- Members respond with clarifying questions and paraphrases before giving input.
- Observers use a Listening Rubric to note behaviors:
- Maintained focus
- Used paraphrasing
- Asked clarifying questions
- Avoided interruptions
4. Reflection (2-3 min)
Exit Ticket (Schoology or Paper):
- What specific listening skill did you use today?
- How could strong listening make someone more effective at work or in school?
Reinforcement Notes (Instructor)
- Emphasize that listening earns trust and influence.
- Encourage use of listening phrases in group projects (“If I’m hearing you right…”).
- Connect this skill forward to WBL #4: Constructive Feedback & Growth and #7: Clarity in Communication.