Listen to Understand Slides Listening That Lands
Mastering Active Connection
Do Now: Signal Strength
Reflect
On a scale of 1-10, how strong is your "listening signal" today?
1-2
Static Only
3-4
Fading In/Out
5-6
Standard Audio
7-8
High Def
9-10
Crystal Clear
What is one thing currently adding "noise" to your signal? (e.g., hunger, phone, tomorrow's game)
Hearing vs. Listening
Hearing
Passive physical process
Sound hits the eardrum
Waiting for your turn to talk
Listening
Active mental process
Making meaning from sound
Focus: Understand, not respond
1
The Paraphrase
Restating what you heard in your own words to verify you have the right "frequency."
Pro Starters:
"So, what I hear you saying is..."
"In other words, you're feeling..."
"It sounds like the main issue is..."
Caution: Don't parrot. Use your own words.
2
Clarifying Questions
Clearing up the "static" by asking for more detail or specific meaning.
Signal Boosters:
"When you said [X], what did you mean by that?"
"Could you tell me more about the part where...?"
"How did that impact you?"
Avoid: "Why" questions (can sound like an attack).
Back-to-Back Drill
The Rules
1. Sit back-to-back with a partner.
2. **Speaker:** Read your card clearly.
3. **Listener:** Listen without looking at them.
4. **Goal:** Paraphrase + 1 Clarifying Question.
Why Back-to-Back?
It removes visual cues (body language). You have to rely 100% on the audio signal to understand the speaker's intent.
Fishbowl Debrief
As you watch the volunteers, look for:
Eye Contact
Is the listener fully present?
Paraphrase
Did they capture the *feeling* or just facts?
The Question
Did it open the conversation up or shut it down?
One Listening Move
Complete your exit ticket by committing to one specific move you will use in your next conversation outside of this classroom.
End of Session // Signal Locked
Back-to-Back Paraphrase Cards Back-to-Back Paraphrase Cards
Active Listening Practice Set // Grade 10
Teacher Note: Cut these cards along the dashed lines. Students should work in pairs. One student is the "Speaker" (reads the card) and the other is the "Listener" (paraphrases and asks a question). Then, swap roles.
Signal 01
"I'm honestly feeling pretty overwhelmed lately. Between the project due in History, varsity soccer practice starting up, and my parents bugging me about looking at colleges, I feel like I don't have a single hour to just relax and breathe."
Speaker Persona: Stressed/Busy
Signal 02
"I saw this movie over the weekend that everyone was raving about, but I actually hated it. The plot made no sense and the ending was so lazy. I feel like I'm the only person who thinks it was a waste of ten dollars."
Speaker Persona: Opinionated/Isolated
Signal 03
"I'm really nervous about the presentation in English tomorrow. Public speaking isn't really my thing, and I'm worried that I'm going to stumble over my words or forget everything I practiced as soon as I stand up."
Speaker Persona: Anxious/Vulnerable
Signal 04
"My best friend and I got into this stupid argument last night over a text message. I think they totally misinterpreted what I meant, and now they aren't answering my calls. It's so frustrating because it was just a joke."
Speaker Persona: Frustrated/Confused
Signal 05
"I finally finished building my first PC! It took me like three weeks to save up for all the parts and another twelve hours to put it together without breaking anything. I'm just so pumped that it actually turned on."
Speaker Persona: Excited/Proud
Signal 06
"I'm considering quitting the debate team. I like the people, but the amount of research we have to do every week is just becoming too much. I don't want to let the team down, but I also don't want to be miserable."
Speaker Persona: Torn/Conflict
Active Listening Drill Plan Active Listening Drill Plan
Facilitation Guide // 30-Minute Workshop
10TH GRADE / SEL
Objectives
Students will demonstrate active listening by paraphrasing a peer's statement and asking one clarifying question to deepen understanding.
Materials Needed
Listen to Understand Slides
Back-to-Back Cards (Pre-cut)
Fishbowl Script
Exit Tickets
Quick Pacing
Do Now 05m
Concepts 07m
Drill 10m
Fishbowl 05m
Exit 03m
Step 1: The "Static" Check (5 Min)
Display **Slide 2**. Ask students to hold up fingers (1-10) to show their "signal strength." Call on 2-3 students to share what "noise" is affecting their signal today. Validate that external/internal noise is natural and requires effort to overcome.
Step 2: Tool Integration (7 Min)
Use **Slides 3-5** to define Paraphrasing and Clarifying Questions.
Key Point: Paraphrasing isn't just repeating; it's translating the speaker's signal into your own language to prove you received it.
Step 3: Back-to-Back Drill (10 Min)
Hand out **Paraphrase Cards**. Students sit back-to-back.
Round 1: Student A reads; Student B paraphrases + 1 Question.
Round 2: Swap roles with new cards.
Teacher Role: Circulate. Listen for "parroting" (word-for-word repetition) and gently correct to "own words."
Step 4: Fishbowl Demonstration (5 Min)
Invite two volunteers (or use the pre-written **Fishbowl Script**).
Trial A: Interruption/Fixing (The "Bad" Signal).
Trial B: Paraphrase/Question (The "Clean" Signal).
Ask class: "Which speaker felt more 'heard'? Why?"
Step 5: Exit & Commitment (3 Min)
Distribute **Exit Tickets**. Ask students to be specific. "I will listen better" is a bad goal. "I will paraphrase my brother's venting sessions tonight" is a strong goal.
Misconception Alert
Students often confuse Active Listening with Agreement . Emphasize that you can paraphrase someone you completely disagree with. It’s about accuracy of understanding, not alignment of opinion.
Fishbowl Modeling Script Fishbowl Modeling Script
Listening vs. Fixing // Demonstration Guide
SPEAKER
LISTENER
The Setup
Two volunteers sit in the center of the circle. One plays the "Speaker" (someone with a problem), the other plays the "Listener." We will perform two versions of the same conversation.
The Scenario
Jordan is upset because their group for the Biology project isn't doing any work, and the deadline is Friday.
A
Version A: The "Fixer" (The Bad Signal)
JORDAN: "I'm so over this Bio project. Alex and Sam haven't even opened the shared doc, and it's due in three days. I'm going to end up doing the whole thing myself again."
LISTENER (Interrupting): "Oh, you should just email the teacher. Or just tell them you aren't going to put their names on it. That's what I would do. It's not that big of a deal, just relax."
JORDAN: "I mean, yeah, but I don't want to be a snitch. It's just frustrating because—"
LISTENER: "Anyway, did you see the score of the game last night? We should probably get to lunch soon."
Discussion: How did the Speaker's body language change? Did the Listener actually understand Jordan's frustration?
B
Version B: The "Lander" (Active Listening)
JORDAN: "I'm so over this Bio project. Alex and Sam haven't even opened the shared doc, and it's due in three days. I'm going to end up doing the whole thing myself again."
LISTENER (Waiting for a pause): "So, what I'm hearing is that you're feeling really pressured because you feel like the entire weight of the project is on your shoulders, and you're worried about the Friday deadline." [PARAPHRASE]
JORDAN (Nodding): "Exactly. It's not that I can't do the work, it's just that it feels unfair. I have other stuff to do too."
LISTENER: "That makes sense. When you say it feels 'unfair,' are you more annoyed about the extra work or the fact that they don't seem to care?" [CLARIFYING QUESTION]
JORDAN: "Honestly? Probably that they don't care. It makes me feel like my time isn't valuable to them."
Discussion: Why did Jordan keep talking in this version? What was the "landing" moment?
Listening Move Exit Ticket Exit Ticket
One Listening Move
Listening That Lands // Grade 10
REF-ID: LT-001
Student Name
Date
1. Which active listening tool felt more natural for you today?
Paraphrasing
Clarifying Questions
2. Commit: Who is one person you will practice this with tonight/tomorrow?
3. The Landing: Write a specific sentence you might use in that conversation.
(Example: "So what you're saying is that you're stressed about dinner tonight?")
Exit Ticket
One Listening Move
Listening That Lands // Grade 10
REF-ID: LT-001
Student Name
Date
1. Which active listening tool felt more natural for you today?
Paraphrasing
Clarifying Questions
2. Commit: Who is one person you will practice this with tonight/tomorrow?
3. The Landing: Write a specific sentence you might use in that conversation.
(Example: "So what you're saying is that you're stressed about dinner tonight?")