Signal Jam Lesson Plan
Communication Lab Grades 5–9 • 45–50 Minutes
Active Listening Core | Page 1 of 2
Signal Jam Lesson Plan
Testing cognitive limits: Can humans talk and listen at the same time?
Focus: Active Listening
Target Skill Active Listening
Cognitive Concept Phonological Loop
Materials Needed Timer & Prompt Cards
Assessment Type Observation Rubric
Learning Objectives
- • Demonstrate active listening using steady eye contact, oriented posture, and physical cues.
- • Explain why cognitive attention collapses when attempting to speak and listen at once.
- • Execute reflective paraphrasing and follow-up responses without interrupting.
Essential Questions
- • Can the human brain truly encode incoming speech while generating speech?
- • How does a speaker visually know they are genuinely being heard?
- • What physical habits separate passive hearing from active listening?
1 Hook & Simulation: The Dual-Channel Collision Test (10 Min)
Experiential Hook
The Challenge Rules:
Pair students as Partner A and Partner B. Set timer for 45 seconds. Both students must speak aloud at the exact same time on assigned prompts (e.g., Partner A: "Explain step-by-step how to make pancakes"; Partner B: "Describe your favorite game or movie"). Both must try to secretly memorize 2 facts their partner says.
The Recall Check: Call "Stop!" Immediately have students write down 2 specific facts their partner said. Result: Nearly all recall nothing or only disconnected words.
The Body Language Reveal: Ask: "Where did your eyes go? What did your body do?" Students notice they broke eye contact, leaned away, or raised volume to overpower their partner.
2 Direct Instruction: The 3 Physical Anchors of Active Listening (12 Min)
Modeling Phase
Explain the cognitive science: speech processing relies on the brain's phonological loop. You cannot decode incoming language while assembling outgoing sentences. Active listening requires silencing internal chatter to become a dedicated receiver.
1. Eye Contact
Soft, focused gaze: Maintain natural eye contact (60–70% of the time). Do not scan the room or stare down.
2. Body Posture
Open & leaned in: Square torso toward speaker, uncross arms, lean slightly forward, and use responsive nods.
3. Reflective Response
Echo & validate: Paraphrase before replying: "What I'm hearing is..." and ask a question rather than hijacking.
Signal Jam: Active Listening Protocol • Lesson Plan Continued on Page 2 → Guided Lab & Assessment Rubric
Lab Practice & Assessment Student Demonstration & Verification
Active Listening Core | Page 2 of 2
3 Guided Practice: The "Single-Channel" Verification Lab (15 Min)
Partner Lab
Students switch from the simultaneous collision to dedicated single-channel reception. Each partner takes a turn as the Speaker (Transmitter) and Active Listener (Receiver).
A Round 1: Partner A Speaks (90 Sec)
- • Speaker: "Describe a challenge you faced recently and how you handled it."
- • Listener: Zero speaking. Maintain eye contact, lean in, purposeful nods.
- • Echo (30s): Partner B states: "What mattered most in what you said was..."
B Round 2: Partner B Speaks (90 Sec)
- • Speaker: "Describe a skill you wish you had and why it would change your life."
- • Listener: Zero speaking. Anchor physical posture and monitor facial presence.
- • Echo (30s): Partner A states: "A key reason this is important to you is..."
4 Active Listening Observational Assessment Rubric
Formative Tool
| Criterion | Proficient (3 pts) | Developing (2 pts) | Novice (1 pt) |
|---|
| | | |
| Eye Contact | | | |
| Natural, steady eye contact held for 70%+ of turn; attentive gaze. | Intermittent eye contact; frequently glances away or down at hands. | Avoids eye contact; stares at floor, ceiling, screen, or peers elsewhere. |
|
Body Position
| Torso oriented squarely to partner, leaning forward, open arms, purposeful nods. | Partially angled away; neutral posture with occasional nodding but stiff engagement. | Slumped or turned away; arms crossed defensively; restless fidgeting. |
|
Verbal Response
| Accurately paraphrases core idea and asks an insightful follow-up question. | Repeats words verbatim without deeper synthesis; jumps to own opinion quickly. | Interrupts before partner finishes; cannot summarize partner's main point. |
Accommodations & Sensory Support
For neurodivergent students or those with eye contact anxiety, accept "soft bridge" gaze (bridge of nose) or directional body lean and responsive nodding as full demonstration of presence.
Advanced Extension Challenge
Have advanced students detect subtext and emotion: Partner B must summarize the underlying feeling (e.g., "It sounded like you felt conflicted when...") rather than only factual details.
Metacognitive Debrief & Exit Prompt (8 Min)
Takeaway: "When you plan your reply while someone is speaking, you jam your own receiver."
1. Habit Audit: Which listening anchor is hardest for you when excited or impatient?
2. Real-World Transfer: Name one conversation tomorrow where you will practice active listening.
Signal Jam: Active Listening Protocol • Lesson Plan Instructional Blueprint & Assessment Rubric Complete
