So far, Carter’s primary teacher, gym teacher, music teacher and art teacher have mentioned active listening in their communiques regarding classroom behavior. I’m pretty excited about it- I remember Mr. Mann’s student teacher doing an entire unit on it in freshman English class. She was pumped because it meant she was teaching us a life skill, not just expository essays. I’m pumped because they are going to learn this life skill everywhere not just in English class. How progressive! We rock!
Ms. Bourgh led us through exercises testing our ability to really empathize with and understand what the other person was saying. We worked on deciphering nonverbal cues. We took risks in sharing our own harder to communicate issues. Listening increased reciprocity between students as well as between student and teacher. Mr. Mann’s room stands in my memory as a place in which I felt truly heard– enough to allow Mr. Mann and Ms. Bourgh into my life enough to make a big difference. Certainly it was one of many reasons Mr. Mann’s premature death left a hole in my heart.
How will they teach such a valuable skill to seven-year-olds? I’m sitting at the edge of my seat.
Carter’s primary teacher attempted to define active listening for the students:
Active Listening:
I will ask you to do a body check to make sure you are ready to listen.
Body check includes:
* eyes are watching the speaker
* ears are listening to the speaker
* lips are closed
* hands are still
* feet are quiet.Quiet Signal:
When you hear the chimes, stop what you are doing. That means freeze your voices and bodies immediately.
Then I will make sure that you are listening by saying. . . .1,2,3 eyes on me
you will then repeat
1,2, eyes on you.
Speaking in class:
If you would like to speak in class during instructional time you must raise your hand. I will not acknowledge your questions or comments if you have not been called on.
It is very important to follow these rules so that our classroom remains a quiet place for learning.
(slow sound of deflating mom) I’m thinking they didn’t take Ms. Bourgh’s unit.
