Improve life outcomes

Jumpstart: Active Listening - Universal

Jumpstart Universal SEL

CASEL Competency Focus: Relationship Skills
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: None
Objectives:

1. Follow directions given by an adult.
2. Display body language of an active listener.
3. Ask relevant questions related to the topic or situation.

Common Core Standards addressed (Speaking and Listening):
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL:

  • Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade level topics with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
  • Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
  • Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges.
  • Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.

Lesson Procedures

Greeting: Begin the lesson with a simple greeting activity. Students sit in a circle. One student starts and greets the student next to them by saying, "Good morning, _____." They make eye contact and face each other when doing this. The next student returns the greeting and then greets the person on their other side. You can add a handshake or high five to the simple greeting.

  • Class story: Start with a single sentence. Students must actively listen as each member of the class adds another sentence to the story. The sentence added to the story must make sense.
  • Twenty questions: Tell the class you are an item that starts with a certain letter, an object in the room, a movie character, or anything creative you can think of. The class may ask 20 yes or no questions in order to try and figure out who or what you are. They must listen carefully to figure it out.

Reflection: After the game is finished, discuss whether it was easy or hard to use active listening with the students. Ask for students to share any other thoughts or insights they have about active listening.