Circuit Builder Plan Lesson Plan Circuit Builder Plan
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Duration
30 Minutes
Audience
7th & 8th Grade
Objective
Demonstrate 3 active listening moves in dialogue.
Approach
Interactive practice & relay gaming.
Why This Lesson?
Active listening is a fundamental life skill that helps build stronger relationships, resolve conflicts, and foster a more empathetic community. Learning these skills now will empower students to communicate more effectively in all aspects of their lives.
Prep & Materials
To-Do List
Review the Listening Lights Up Slide Deck .
Print Empathy Checklist Worksheets for all students.
Read through the Electric Empathy Script .
Set up classroom for the Circuit Listening Relay (3 stations).
Materials Kit
• Listening Lights Up (Slide Deck)
• Electric Empathy Script (Script)
• Circuit Listening Relay (Game Guide)
• Empathy Checklist (Worksheet)
• Station Labels (1, 2, 3)
The Lesson Circuit
5m
Introduction: Faulty vs. Complete Circuits
Begin with a brief demonstration of what it feels like when someone isn't truly listening versus when they are. Use the script to guide the "broken wire" metaphor.
Slides 1-2 Script Intro
7m
Mini-Teach: The Three Moves
Introduce the core curriculum: Eye Contact, Paraphrasing, and Feeling Words. Use the slide deck to illustrate each move with clear examples.
Slides 3-6 Interactive Demo
10m
Activity: Circuit Listening Relay
Rotate students through stations to practice each move. Circulate among groups to provide real-time feedback and ensure the "circuit" stays connected.
Game Stations Teacher Circulation
5m
Partner Practice: Checklist Review
Pair students for a two-minute deep share. Use the Empathy Checklist worksheet for peer feedback and reflection. Switch roles at 60 seconds.
Student Worksheet Peer Feedback
3m
Reflection: Feeling Heard
Final circle. Ask: "How did it feel to be truly heard?" and "Where can you use this tonight?"
Slide 9 Final Closing
Listening Lights Up Presentation Listening Lights Up
Building the Empathy Circuit
Faulty vs. Complete Circuit
Faulty Circuit
Distracted
Interrupting
Pre-planning your response
Complete Circuit
Fully Focused
Actively Engaged
Ready to Understand
What is Active Listening?
It's not just hearing words. It's about powering up your connection through:
Deep Understanding
Genuine Care
Complete Connection
Move 1
Connect Your Eyes
Show you are focused and respectful. Eye contact keeps you engaged and helps you read non-verbal cues.
"Comfortable connection, not a staring contest!"
Move 2
Paraphrase the Message
Repeat back what you heard in your own words. It confirms you're listening!
"So, if I understand correctly, you're saying..."
"It sounds like you feel... because..."
Why it works:
Confirms understanding
Shows active attention
Lets the speaker clarify
Move 3
Use a Feeling Word
The Emotion Connectors:
Frustrated Excited Proud Nervous Grateful
"That sounds really [feeling]."
"I hear that made you feel [feeling]."
Validates Emotions
It tells the speaker that their feelings matter and are seen.
Builds Empathy
Creating a deep connection by sharing the emotional experience.
Circuit Listening Relay
Time to put your moves to the test! We will rotate through 3 stations to practice.
1. Eye Contact
2. Paraphrasing
3. Feeling Words
Make the Connection
The Challenge:
Share for 1 Minute
Listen for 1 Minute
Use your Checklist
Then SWITCH Roles!
Light Up Your Learning
?
How did it feel to be truly heard?
?
What was the most challenging move?
?
Where can you use these skills today?
Electric Empathy Script Facilitator Guide Electric Empathy Script
Classroom Facilitation & Dialogue Guide
Intro
Faulty vs. Complete 'Circuit' Listening (5 mins)
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really important for how we connect with each other. Think about electricity for a moment. If a wire is cut or loose, the light won't turn on, right? The circuit is faulty, and there's no connection. Our conversations can be a bit like that."
"Sometimes, when we're talking to someone, it feels like the circuit is 'faulty.' Maybe they're looking at their phone, or they interrupt us, or we can just tell they're not really hearing what we're saying. How does that feel?"
Wait for student responses. Expect words like: frustrated, unheard, disrespected.
"Exactly! It feels good, right? You feel understood, valued, connected. Today, we're going to learn how to be 'complete circuit' listeners, building stronger connections with everyone we talk to. Let's look at our first slide to set the stage."
Teaching
Three Listening Moves (7 mins)
Move 1: Eye Contact
"This doesn't mean staring intensely! It means comfortably connecting your eyes with the speaker to show you're focused. It tells them, 'I'm with you.' Why do you think eye contact is so important?"
Prompt: Discuss non-verbal cues.
Move 2: Paraphrasing
"To paraphrase means to repeat back what you heard in your own words. It's like checking to make sure you got the message clearly. For example, if someone says, 'I'm really tired of doing all the chores by myself,' you might say, 'So, it sounds like you're feeling overwhelmed because you're doing a lot of work around the house on your own.' Who can give me another example?"
Prompt: Ask 2-3 students for examples.
Move 3: Feeling Words
"This is about identifying and naming the emotion you think the speaker is feeling. If your friend tells you they didn't get picked for the basketball team, you might say, 'That sounds really disappointing.' It shows empathy and validates their feelings. What are some other feeling words we could use?"
Prompt: Brainstorm 5-6 emotions (nervous, proud, lonely, etc).
Activity
The Games & Practice (15 mins)
Circuit Relay Transition
"Alright, it's time to put these moves into practice! We're going to play the Circuit Listening Relay Game. Follow me as we split into our teams at the stations!"
Partner Share Transition
"Fantastic job with the relay! Now, let's try these skills in a more focused, one-on-one setting. One person will share for one minute about anything they wish—a challenge, a win, or a story. The other partner will actively listen using your Empathy Checklist. Ready? Go!"
Circuit Listening Relay Game Guide Circuit Listening Relay
Operation: Power Up Your Listening
System Objective
To practice the three active listening moves (Eye Contact, Paraphrasing, Feeling Words) in a fast-paced, interactive relay format.
System Setup
• 3 Designated "Stations" (Corners or areas)
• Station Labels: 1, 2, and 3
• Groups of 3-4 Students
• 3 Minutes per station rotation
The Relay Grid
Station 01
Eye Contact Power-Up
Level 1
The Task: One student shares a brief story (weekend, favorite movie). All other group members must maintain consistent, comfortable eye contact throughout the story.
Challenge: No staring! Keep it natural and respectful.
Station 02
Paraphrase Perfection
Level 2
The Task: After a speaker finishes their story, the listener *must* paraphrase what they heard ("So you're saying...") before anyone else talks or adds a thought.
Challenge: Use your own words—don't just echo them like a robot!
Station 03
Feeling Word Flow
Level 3
The Task: When someone shares an experience, the listener must identify the emotion involved. "That sounds really [Feeling Word]!"
Challenge: Dig deeper than "Good" or "Bad". Try: Frustrated, Inspired, Anxious.
Facilitator Notes
• Rotation: Blow a whistle or call "ROTATE!" every 3 minutes.
• Observation: Look for the "complete circuit"—eye contact engaged, nodding, and clear vocal validation.
• Feedback: "I saw Team A doing amazing paraphrasing! Their circuit is bright!"
Empathy Checklist Worksheet Empathy Checklist
Active Listening Practice
Student Name
Date
Round 1: I am the Listener
Station Task
My Partner Shared About:
Eye Contact
Yes
Mostly
Needs Work
Paraphrasing
Yes
Mostly
Needs Work
Feeling Word
Yes
Mostly
Needs Work
Example of what I paraphrased:
Example of a feeling word I used:
Peer Feedback (Listener writes this for the speaker)
STRENGTH: What you did well...
STRETCH: One suggestion for next time...
Empathy Checklist
Round 2 / Role Switch
Round 2: Now I am the Listener
Roles Reversed
My Partner Shared About:
Eye Contact
Yes
Mostly
Needs Work
Paraphrasing
Yes
Mostly
Needs Work
Feeling Word
Yes
Mostly
Needs Work
Example of what I paraphrased:
Example of a feeling word I used:
Peer Feedback (Listener writes this for the speaker)
STRENGTH: What you did well...
STRETCH: One suggestion for next time...
