Wright Family Lesson Guide Wright Family Lesson Guide
Topic: Active Listening & Team Communication
Time
Learning Objectives
Students will demonstrate active listening by responding to specific verbal cues in real-time.
Students will identify barriers to effective communication in a group setting.
Students will reflect on how focus impacts collective success.
Materials Needed
One small object per student (coin, candy, etc.)
"The Wright Family" Story Script
Directional Dynamics Slides
Listening Navigator Worksheet
Lesson Pacing
0-5 MIN
Introduction & Setup
Students sit in a circle. Introduce the "Active Listening" concept. Distribute objects. Explain that they must pass their object LEFT or RIGHT every time they hear those words in the story.
5-15 MIN
The Wright Family Activity
Read the story script at a steady pace. Increase speed slightly toward the end to increase the challenge. Monitor the group's "chaos levels" and note where people lose track.
15-25 MIN
Guided Discussion
Use the provided reflection questions. Discuss the difference between hearing and listening. Explore the physical and mental effort required to stay synchronized.
25-30 MIN
Navigator Reflection
Students complete the "Listening Navigator Worksheet" as an exit ticket. Collect for assessment of understanding.
Facilitator Tips
"Listen for the Laughter"
This activity is meant to be slightly chaotic. If students drop objects or mess up, encourage them to laugh it off and try to jump back in immediately. This simulates "recovering" in a conversation.
"Watch the Focus"
Observe which students are looking at the speaker and which are watching their neighbors. This becomes a great talking point: does watching others help or hurt your own listening?
Wright Family Story Script The Wright Family Story Script
Teacher Resource
Activity Length: ~10 Minutes
Instructions: Read the story below slowly and clearly. Every time you say the word RIGHT, students pass their object to the person on their right. Every time you say the word LEFT, they pass it to the person on their left.
One day, the WRIGHT family decided to take a vacation. Mother WRIGHT said, "Did we leave the front door open?" Father WRIGHT said, "I'm not sure, I'll go RIGHT back and check." He LEFT the car and went RIGHT to the door.
He found the door was locked RIGHT where it should be, so he LEFT and came RIGHT back to the car. "Everything is all WRIGHT," he said. As they drove down the road, Mother WRIGHT realized she had LEFT her map at home. "We have to turn RIGHT around!" she cried.
Father WRIGHT sighed and turned RIGHT at the next corner. "I think we LEFT it on the kitchen counter," said Tommy WRIGHT. "No, it's RIGHT in my backpack!" shouted Susie WRIGHT.
Mother WRIGHT felt much better RIGHT away. They turned LEFT to get back on the main road. "Look RIGHT there!" Susie pointed LEFT toward a giant billboard. "That's the WRIGHT way to the zoo!"
Father WRIGHT looked RIGHT and LEFT before merging. "If we stay on this path, we'll be RIGHT on time," he said. But then, a tire went flat RIGHT in the middle of the highway!
They pulled over to the RIGHT shoulder. "I'll get the spare tire RIGHT out of the trunk," said Father WRIGHT. He LEFT the family in the car and went RIGHT to work. Soon, they were back on the road, heading RIGHT toward their destination.
"I'm glad we LEFT early," Mother WRIGHT said. "You're WRIGHT about that!" everyone agreed. They had a wonderful trip and LEFT all their worries behind.
Pacing Tip
Read the first paragraph slowly. Accelerate slightly in paragraphs 4 and 5 to challenge their focus.
Observation Note
If objects start "clumping" together, don't stop! Just keep reading and let the group figure out how to distribute them again.
Listening Navigator Worksheet Listening Navigator
Post-Activity Reflection
Navigator (Name): __________________________________________
Date: ______________________
Part 1: Plotting the Course
On a scale of 1-10, how difficult was it to keep up with the story and the passing? (Circle one)
EASY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
HARD
What was the most challenging moment for you during the activity?
Part 2: Navigating Barriers
Internal Barriers
(Things inside your mind that made listening hard)
External Barriers
(Things in the room that made listening hard)
Part 3: Dropping Anchor
When people around you made mistakes, how did it affect your ability to listen? Why?
In a real conversation, how can you show someone that you are "Navigating" (actively listening) to them?
Directional Dynamics Slides Directional
Dynamics
The Art of Active Listening
The Rules
1
Hold your object. Focus on the story.
2
Hear RIGHT? Pass to your right.
3
Hear LEFT? Pass to your left.
No Stopping!
If objects pile up, keep going and try to catch up!
Ready?
Listen
Cooperate
React
Reflect: Hearing vs. Listening
What is the difference between hearing the story and listening for directions?
"I heard the words, but I forgot to move my hand."
"I was so focused on the objects that I stopped hearing the story."
Reflect: The Barriers
What made it hard to stay in sync?
Noise
External distractions
Drifting
Internal thoughts
Peers
Watching others' mistakes
Reflect: Group Success
Why is one "bad listener" enough to disrupt the whole circle?
Communication is a chain reaction. When one link breaks, the whole system slows down.
Course Complete
Grab your Listening Navigator and reflect on your performance.
