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GO BACK All Goal Posters THIS SKILL Nonverbal Communication THIS GOAL Active Listening

Active Listening

Active Listening hones in on body language that shows interest. Facing a person, maintaining eye contact, nodding, and reducing extraneous body movements all show active listening. Moving far beyond following a set of rules, students will learn that Active Listening helps others feel connected to them.

Preview an SEL skills lesson: Active Listening

1 Show the video to your students

[SCENE 1]

Madison: I had such a busy weekend. It was my brother’s birthday, so we had a party for him on Saturday. On Sunday, we had a big yard sale. The yard sale was a lot of work, but it paid off. I even found some cool stuff in my basement.

Connor: That’s cool. What did you find?

Madison: I found some old jewelry of my great grandmother’s.

Connor: That’s cool. One time, I went to a yard sale and I found some old baseball cards.

 

[FROM MY VIEW]

Connor: (internal thought) When friends tell me something, I show that I’m listening by looking at them, facing my body towards them, and keeping my hands and feet calm and quiet. Even if I really want to say something, I look at them and wait until they’re done, then I can have a turn.

[SCENE 1 replay]

Madison: I had such a busy weekend. It was my brother’s birthday, so we had a party for him on Saturday. On Sunday, we had a big yard sale. The yard sale was a lot of work, but it paid off. I even found some cool stuff in my basement.

Connor: That’s cool. What did you find?

Madison: I found some old jewelry of my great grandmother’s.

Connor: That’s cool. One time, I went to a yard sale and I found some old baseball cards.

 

[FURTHER PRACTICE]

Narrator: To show our friends we’re listening, we can watch them with our eyes, face our bodies towards them, and ask specific questions to show we are listening.

Connor: That’s cool. What did you find? 

Narrator: Watching our friends helps us know when it’s time for us to have a turn talking. 

Connor: That’s cool. One time I went to a yard sale and I found some old baseball cards.

 

2 Review with the Companion Worksheet
3 Apply new skills with activities & games!

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Other SEL materials on Active Listening
Active Listening Video
Active Listening

Elementary School

Convo Match Interactive
Convo Match

Elementary School

Interactive Worksheet: Showing You're Listening Activity
Interactive Worksheet: Showing You're Listening

Pre-k and K

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