Listening to others is a useful skill for all students, but especially for those who are easily distracted. Students who know how to listen are much more likely to understand directions, learn new material, and have better social relationships.

Introduce Skill

• Begin with an activity that requires students to listen intently. Read a passage from a book, article, or newspaper and have students recall facts, names of characters, or main ideas.
• Brainstorm reasons it is important to listen to others

Describe the Appropriate Behavior

1. Look at the person who is talking and remain quiet (maintain eye contact)
2. Wait until the person is finished talking before you speak (be respectful, don't interrupt or walk away)
3. Show that you heard the person by nodding your head and saying "Okay" or "That's interesting" (verbal responses may not always be necessary, especially if you are in a large group)

Modified Version for Younger Kiddos

1. Look at the person
2. Wait quietly while they are talking
3. Do something to let them know you are listening

Give a Reason or Rationale - let students help you generate these

• Listening to others is an important skill at home, at school, and on the job. Being an active listener helps you learn new things, understand what others are asking or telling you to do, and shows respect to the speaker.
• In everyday life, good listening skills allow you to develop friendships, accept feedback, and increases the likelihood of you acquiring the knowledge you need to be successful at school and on the job.
• Keeps you informed - you appear competent because you know what is going on
• Shows respect
• Demonstrates openness to hearing new ideas and opinions
• When it is your turn to speak others will be more willing to listen to you

Practice

• Play part of an audio book, stop the recording, and have students write as many details that they can recall - can do this more than once - discussion on what they were able to recall and what challenges they experienced while listening to the audio
• Older students - play part of a debate - have students write down or discuss the arguments they heard in favor of or in opposition to a viewpoint - discuss whether someone interrupted or talked over another person during the debate - did anyone misquote or misinterpret anyone's words - did the moderator have to repeat or rephrase any of the questions, etc.

Suggested Role Plays

• Your teacher is talking about tonight's homework assignment. Show how you would pay attention.
• Your class welcomes a guest speaker. Show how you would listen carefully.
• Your classmates are presenting a project. Show how you would listen to them.
• Your school is having an assembly. Show how you would be respectful to the speaker and that you are interested in what they are saying.
• Your mom is telling you how to clean and stack dishes. Show how you would listen carefully.
• Your dad is explaining the rules of a board game. Follow the skill steps and show how you would listen so he does not have to repeat the instructions.

Journaling

• List some times when listening to others is very important
• Is there a time when listening is NOT ok?
• When you miss your teacher's instructions, what can you do?
• What facial expressions show you are listening? (smiling, frowning, yawning, glaring)
• How does the skill of Listening to Others help you at school? at home?

Feedback

• Praise specific steps followed and give feedback on areas of improvement
• Let students know you will be watching in order to "catch them" using the skill
• Continue to praise and re-teach as needed

It’s time for the little red chicken’s bedtime story—and a reminder from Papa to try not to interrupt. But the chicken can’t help herself! Whether the tale is Hansel and Grettel or Little Red Riding Hood or even Chicken Little, she jumps into the story to save its hapless characters from doing some dangerous or silly thing.

Lacey Walker loves to talk. She talks all day, and sometimes all night. But when she loses her voice, Lacey learns the importance of listening.

A lop-eared rabbit named Buddy finds himself in trouble with the Scruffy Varmint because he never listens.

Nancy's failure to pay attention gets her into trouble when she bakes cupcakes for the school bake sale.

Academic & Behavior Facilitator

Tech Academy @Pettit Park

Email: hdarnell@kokomo.k12.in.us
Website: http://leadyourheartout.blogspot.com/
Location: 901 W Havens St, Kokomo, IN, United States
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadyourheartout/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Twitter: @HetherDarnell