Lesson Plan

Why Do We Listen? Lesson Blueprint

Students will identify common listening barriers and practice active listening techniques through guided demonstrations and peer role-plays to strengthen their communication and relationship skills.

Active listening builds empathy, reduces conflicts, and enhances collaboration, equipping 8th graders with essential interpersonal skills aligned with CASEL’s relationship framework.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Step 2

Exploring Barriers

10 minutes

Step 3

Active Listening Demonstration

10 minutes

Step 4

Role-Play Practice

15 minutes

Step 5

Reflection and Exit Ticket

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Active Listening in Action

Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce yourself and briefly explain the goal: to explore why listening matters and learn practical skills.

Why Do We Listen?

Pose the question and call on volunteers. Record responses on the board. Emphasize that listening is an active process, not just silence.

Common Listening Barriers

Explain each barrier with real-life examples. Then have students discuss in pairs which ones they notice most in themselves.

Benefits of Active Listening

Highlight how each benefit links to healthy relationships and conflict resolution. Encourage students to add their own ideas.

Key Active Listening Strategies

Introduce the three core strategies. Demonstrate each in a short role-play or video clip if available.

Listening Lab Demonstration

Explain that next they’ll see a demonstration of poor vs. strong listening. Invite volunteers to help model each side.

Next Steps

Wrap up the slide deck and transition to partner role-plays. Remind students of time limits and prepare materials.

Lesson Plan

Why Do We Listen? Lesson Blueprint

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

Step 1

Introduction

Step 2

Exploring Barriers

Step 3

Active Listening Demonstration

Step 4

Role-Play Practice

Step 5

Reflection and Exit Ticket

Slide Deck

Active Listening in Action

Why Do We Listen?

Common Listening Barriers

Benefits of Active Listening

Key Active Listening Strategies

Listening Lab Demonstration

Next Steps

Script

Activity

Cool Down

Why Do We Listen?

CHRISTI EVANS