Introduction
Active listening is a crucial skill for middle school students to develop as they navigate social interactions and build strong relationships. One way to demonstrate active listening is through eye contact, but this can sometimes be uncomfortable or challenging for students. Visual referencing offers an alternative that allows students to show they are engaged in a conversation while prioritizing their own comfort level. This blog post will explore the concept of visual referencing, a no-prep activity to practice the skill, discussion questions, and related skills to enhance students’ social-emotional learning.
No-Prep Activity: The Visual Referencing Game
In this activity, students will practice using visual referencing in a fun and engaging way. The goal is to help them become more comfortable with this technique while also developing their active listening skills.
- Divide students into pairs and have them sit facing each other.
- Ask students to take turns sharing a story or talking about a topic of their choice with their partner. Each student should speak for about one minute.
- During the conversation, the listener should practice visual referencing by facing their body towards the speaker, looking in the direction of the speaker, and occasionally glancing at the speaker without making direct eye contact if it feels uncomfortable.
- After both partners have had a turn to speak, encourage them to share their experiences with the activity and discuss how visual referencing made them feel as both the listener and the speaker.
Discussion Questions
- How did using visual referencing make you feel as a listener? Did you feel more comfortable than if you were making direct eye contact?
- As a speaker, did you feel like your partner was actively listening to you when they used visual referencing? Why or why not?
- What other active listening strategies can you use in conjunction with visual referencing to show others that you are engaged in a conversation?
- Can you think of a situation where visual referencing might be particularly helpful for you or someone else?
- How can visual referencing contribute to building positive relationships and effective communication?
Related Skills
Visual referencing is just one aspect of social-emotional learning. Here are some related skills that can further enhance students’ ability to communicate effectively and build strong relationships:
- Active Listening: Encourage students to practice active listening by asking questions, summarizing what the speaker has said, and offering feedback to show they understand the message.
- Nonverbal Communication: Teach students to be aware of their body language, facial expressions, and gestures, as these can convey important information and show others that they are engaged in a conversation.
- Empathy: Help students develop empathy by encouraging them to put themselves in the speaker’s shoes and consider the speaker’s feelings and perspectives.
- Assertiveness: Equip students with the skills to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs in a respectful and confident manner, while also considering the needs of others.
Next Steps
To further explore visual referencing and other social-emotional learning skills, sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. These resources will provide you with valuable tools and strategies to support your students in their social-emotional growth and development.
