Listen Up Lesson Plan Teacher Resource
LISTEN UP
Mastering the Art of Active Listening
45 MINUTES
6th Grade Health
Preparation
• Review lesson flow and discussion prompts.
• Familiarize with Activity and Game rules.
• Gather basic supplies (paper, pens).
• Time needed: 10 mins.
Materials
Active Listening Lesson Plan
Discussion Prompts
Activity Instructions
Game Guide
Warm-Up / Cool Down Sheets
Objective
"Students will learn and practice active listening techniques through a dynamic mix of discussions, activities, and a game, improving their communication and empathy skills."
Session Timeline
Warm-Up Discussion
5 MINS
Begin with a brief discussion on what active listening means and its importance. Use the Discussion Prompts to steer the conversation and hook student interest.
Explanation & Modeling
10 MINS
Explain key components: eye contact, nodding, verbal affirmations, and asking open-ended questions. Illustrate with examples of "poor" vs "active" listening and invite student observations.
Interactive Activity
15 MINS
Organize students into pairs to practice using the Activity Instructions. Rotate pairs half-way through to ensure variety in communication styles.
Active Listening Game
10 MINS
Challenge students to apply skills in real-time. Follow the Game Guide for a high-energy "Story Time Challenge" that tests recall and engagement.
Cool Down & Reflection
5 MINS
Conclude with a group reflection on learnings. Use the Cool Down sheet for students to write one actionable goal for the week.
Why This Matters
Active listening is essential for effective communication, helping students understand others better and build constructive, empathetic relationships.
Active Listening Discussion Prompts Listen Up Prompts
Guided discussion questions to explore the power of active listening and empathetic communication.
Discussion Guidelines
Respect: Listen without interrupting.
Participation: Share your thoughts.
Openness: Personal stories are welcome.
Reflection: Think before you speak.
1
Defining Active Listening
What does it mean to be "engaged" in a conversation? What behaviors do you see?
How does eye contact or nodding change the "vibe" of a conversation?
2
The "Why" Behind Listening
Why is listening important at school vs. at home? Are they different?
Can listening solve a conflict before it even starts? How?
3
Emotional Connection
Recall a time someone truly listened to you. How did it feel in your body?
How can you make a quiet person feel valued in a group discussion?
4
Facing the Obstacles
What is your biggest distraction? (Phones? Your own thoughts? Noise?)
What is one physical strategy to "reset" your focus when you drift?
Challenge: Real World Application
How can you apply these techniques today in your next class? What changes might you notice in your relationships if you practice active listening for a full week?
"I noticed that when I..."
"Next time I will try to..."
Listen Up! • 6th Grade Health • Master Your Communication
Active Listening Activity Instructions Active Listening Activity
Put your skills to the test in pairs!
Session Phase PRACTICE
1. Form Your Team
Find a partner or form a group of three. If you're in a group of three, you will rotate roles so everyone gets a turn to speak and listen.
2. Role Assignment
The Speaker
Share a story or talk about your favorite hobby for 2 minutes. Talk about how it makes you feel or why you love it.
The Listener
Focus 100% on the speaker. Do not interrupt! Use these active listening skills:
Eye Contact
Head Nodding
Brief Cues ("I see")
Follow-up Qs
3. Follow-Up Starters
After the speaker finishes, ask one or two questions:
"How did that experience make you feel?"
"What was the most exciting part of that?"
"Is there something you learned from this?"
Reflection
Take a moment to record your thoughts after both rounds are complete.
What was the hardest part about listening without interrupting?
How did it feel when your partner asked a follow-up question?
Name one new thing you learned about your partner:
Pro-Tip
Focus completely on the speaker, even if you’re tempted to think about what to say next. Improvements take practice!
Name: Date:
LISTEN UP! WORKBOOK
Active Listening Game Guide GAME GUIDE
The Active Listening Challenge
Setup
Group Formation
Divide the class into teams of 4-5. Pick one "Speaker" while the rest are "Listeners."
Required Loot
Short story cards or lesson passages.
Score sheet for the teacher.
Timer / Stopwatch.
Win Condition
Most combined listening points!
Level 01
Story Time Challenge
1
Speaker: Reads a short story containing specific names, colors, and sequence of events.
2
Listeners: Stay silent. No writing allowed! Listen for the tiny details.
Quiz Samples
• "What was the main character's goal?"
• "What color was the object they found?"
• "How did they react to the surprise?"
Level 02
Interactive Query
1
Speaker: Shares a 2-minute personal anecdote (e.g., "My first bike ride").
2
Listeners: Formulate one "Deep Dive" question to uncover more detail.
Scoring Power-Up
Bonus points for questions that show empathy or reference a specific detail mentioned earlier!
Post-Game Debrief
What strategies helped you remember the most details? How can you use these "power-ups" during a real conversation at lunch or home?
Difficulty
Skill Focus Recall & Clarity
!
Mastering the Art of Active Listening
Active Listening Warm Up Worksheet Warm-Up Activity
Tuning your brain for the art of listening
Student Name
Date
Activity: "What Did You Hear?"
Active listening is more than just hearing words—it's about truly understanding what is being communicated. Listen carefully as your teacher reads a short passage or a series of interesting facts.
Focus on the details! Try to catch specific names, dates, colors, or surprising facts that you might usually overlook.
1 Recall Challenge
Write down one or two key details you remember from the passage:
2 The "Stand-Out" Factor
Why did those specific details stand out to you compared to others?
Purpose & Reflection
Think about why it felt easier or harder to remember certain details. What does that say about how we pay attention?
Sharpen Focus
Recall Mastery
Listen Up! 6th Grade Health
Active Listening Cool Down Worksheet Cool Down
Reflect, Connect, and Grow
Student Name
Date
1
Personal Reflection
Think about today's activities. What was one moment when you felt truly listened to?
What is one technique you learned today that you will use this week?
2
Group Connection
Share your key insight with a partner. Discuss how this can improve your communication with friends, family, or classmates.
Our team's practical goal for the week:
Closing Thoughts
Active listening is about more than just hearing words—it's about connecting with others and understanding their perspective. Notice the difference it makes in your relationships!
Keep Listening, Keep Connecting
Listen Up! Exit Ticket
