Learn to Listen: Developing Active Listening Skills
How can becoming a better listener strengthen our relationships and communication with others?
How to Use This Lesson
This is a Harmony Student Wellness lesson, a week-long, music-centered social-emotional learning lesson designed to be taught across multiple sessions, culminating in an arts-based project. This lesson can be taught in isolation or as part of the larger Harmony Student Wellness program. For more support on implementation, see the Implementation Guide on the program page.
Essential Question
How can becoming a better listener strengthen our relationships and communication with others?
Objectives
Mastery Objective
- Students will be able to practice active listening strategies by participating in a theater activity and a visual art-making exercise
Day 1 - Students will:
- Listen to “Learn to Listen” by The Ramones
- Recognize the importance of good listening in relationships
- Identify the consequences of poor listening
Day 2 - Students will:
- Listen to “Talk to Me” by Cavetown
- Define what active listening is
- Describe observable behaviors that show active listening
Day 3 - Students will:
- Listen to “Phone Down” by Erykah Badu
- Identify internal and external barriers to active listening
- Understand the emotional impact of not being heard
Day 4 - Students will:
- Listen to “Listen” by Beyoncé
- Learn specific active listening techniques
- Practice applying active listening strategies through theater activities
Arts-Based Activity - Students will:
- Apply active listening skills by creating artwork based on a partner's story
Background
In this lesson, students will explore active listening and develop essential communication skills. They will recognize the importance of listening and identify the consequences of poor listening. Students will define active listening and examine internal and external barriers. Students will then learn specific active listening techniques and practice these strategies through a theater activity. Finally, students will create visual artwork by actively listening to a partner’s story.
Materials
Required for all lessons:
- Student Journals
- Art Supplies
Day 4:
*optional