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LISTEN:

The Art of Listening

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CIVICS IN SEVEN STEPS

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Today’s Lesson

Plan:

  1. Ice Breaker: Brand-new ways to listen

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  • Activity: The Mirror Grame

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  • Activity: Group Shapes

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  • Activity: Symbols of Peace

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Objectives:

Students will learn about civility, conflict resolution and differing viewpoints in a democracy.

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Students will practice skills to listen actively, debate constructively, and peacefully resolve different kinds of conflicts.

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Ice Breaker

  • What are some listening tools we have learned about?

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  • Are there ways to “listen” when someone isn’t even talking?

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Activity - The Mirror Game

  1. Break into pairs!

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  • Face each other a foot apart. Make eye contact. Remain silent!

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  • Student A: Start moving very slowing, facing your partner.

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  • Student B: Follow whatever “A” is doing.

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  • Now, switch roles. Student B moves, and Student A follows.

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Discussion

  • As a follower, what did you need to do so you could follow your partner?

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  • As a leader, what did you need to do so that your partner could follow you?

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  • Even though we didn’t say anything, how was this game this listening?

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Activity - Group Shapes Part 1

  • Form a circle of six or more students. You can form two circles, too.

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  • In 10 seconds, create a shape or object together. You may speak.

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  • FREEZE: Hold your shape for your teacher to look at the shape.

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  • Repeat this again. You have 10 seconds to create a second shape. You may still speak.

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Activity - Group Shapes Part 2

  • Create at least two more shapes in 10 seconds. This time in silence.

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  • Possible shapes:
        • An airplane
        • A giraffe
        • A clock
        • An elephant
        • A house
        • A tree
        • A star

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Discussion

  • What was it like to work together to make these shapes?

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  • What happened when you couldn’t agree on how to make the shape together?

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Activity - Symbols of Peace

  • What is peace?

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  • There are many symbols of peace around the world.

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  • Let’s look at some:

Peace Symbols Through History from the The History Press

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Activity - Create Your Own Symbol of Peace

  • Work as a group using a giant tearsheet, poster board, or art paper roll to create one or more symbols of peace.

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OR

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  • Work individually using printer paper or blank notebook to create one or more symbols of peace.

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Discussion

  • Share your symbol of piece, and why you made the choices you did.

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  • What did you learn about peace?

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  • What role does each of us play in making things peaceful?

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Lesson Wrap-Up

  • What are you taking away from this lesson?

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  • How does art help us?

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