1. FS Unit 6: Lesson 8 Module 1 Teacher's Manual
Semi-circle seating
Before Teaching: select a song almost every student might know. Something catchy. You can just tune into the local radio station if you are unsure of what to select. (Michael Jackson, etc.) Please note the song should be free of profanity.
The purpose of this module is to help students understand the active listening is a study skill. Students will learn five tips to becoming a better active listener. Students will also learn how active listening can improve their study skills. Students may be able to create their own word art graphics using free Word Cloud software.
Seating Arrangement: If possible allow your students to sit in a large semi-circle before doing the first activity. Make sure students can see your display screen.
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2. FS Unit 6: Lesson 8 Module 1 Teacher's Manual
Sit quietly and wait for the music to begin.
Once the music starts if you know the words sing along. If you don’t just listen to the others.
The students will probably be excited so make sure you tell them to be on their best behavior before you play the music.
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3. FS Unit 6: Lesson 8 Module 1 Teacher's Manual
What do you think?
How many times do you have to hear a song before you know most of it?
Can you learn more if you learned to be a more active listener?
What does active listening look like and sound like?
After the song, ask students the following processing questions:
How many times do you have to hear a song before you know most of it?
Can you learn more if you learned to be a more active listener?
What does active listening look like and sound like?
To help students understand that we all have different listening habits and abilities, the teacher should call on at least three different students to share their responses with the class.
Tell students, We can improve our memories if we learn to listen more.
Tell students, the average American listens to four hours of music each day according to
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4. FS Unit 6: Lesson 8 Module 1 Teacher's Manual
Think about this. . .
What did you notice about your classmates?
Were you able to sing along?
How many times do you have to hear a song before you know most of it?
Processing Questions
What did you notice about your classmates?
Were you able to sing along? Explain why?
How many times do you have to hear a song before you know most of it?
Teacher should call on at least three different students to share their responses in order to help students understand that we all have different listening habits and abilities. We can improve our memories if we learn to listen more.
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5. FS Unit 6: Lesson 8 Module 1 Teacher's Manual
Explain it to me. . .
The purpose of this transition is to help students begin to think about what active listening looks like and what it sounds like.
Teacher will ask students to recall a time they explained something to someone.
How did they know if the person was listening or not?
Ask students to give specific examples of what the listener was saying and doing. If students need help with sharing appropriate responses the teacher should encourage the students to recall a positive experience if possible.
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6. FS Unit 6: Lesson 8 Module 1 Teacher's Manual
© Copyright, Johns Hopkins University. All Rights Reserved.
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7. FS Unit 6: Lesson 8 Module 1 Teacher's Manual
Teacher should ensure each student has a copy of the T-Chart in order to record what active listening looks like and sounds like.
Teacher will instruct students to sit up. Remove everything from their desk and prepare to watch and listen to the video. (Students should not take notes during the video)
Click on the movie screen to activate the six-minute video: How to Becoming an Active Listener. (
After the video, students will ask the students to recall the five simple steps that are shared in the video. This should be a low stress fun activity for students, so remind them to try and only rely on their listening skills to come up with the list of five tips.
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8. Study Skills
Students will now create a word cloud or a diagram using all the words they think define the word study skills.
Teacher might want to create an example using the actual definition of the term study skills. Similar to the word cloud sample on the screen.
Free software:
Word It Out
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9. Your brain is always at work.
Left Brain
Right Brain
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10. Be a Better Listener
The way to improve your listening skills is to practice "active listening." This is where you make a conscious effort to hear not only the words that another person is saying but, more importantly, try to understand the complete message being sent.
In order to do this you must pay attention to the other person very carefully.
You cannot allow yourself to become distracted by whatever else may be going on around you, or by forming counter arguments that you'll make when the other person stops speaking. Nor can you allow yourself to get bored, and lose focus on what the other person is saying. All of these contribute to a lack of listening and understanding.
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11. Listen with attention and intention and you will learn more!
Final thought. . .
Listen with attention and intention and you will learn more!
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