Active Listening
MATERIALS Active Listening Handout LESSON STEP BY STEP 1. Say: We spend more time listening than any activity except breathing. 2. Ask the group to briefly share out the different things they listen to throughout the day. If students say “people talking” push them to break it out into the different things people talk about… READ MORE >
River Crossing Challenge
MATERIALS “River Stones” such as paper plates or vinyl spots. Boundary markers such as tape or rope. LESSON STEP BY STEP 1. In advance, randomly distribute enough “river stones” between two lines spaced about 20 feet apart. 2. Place “river stones” close enough so that people can step from one to another easily. If you… READ MORE >
Seeking to Understand: Identity Poker
MATERIALS Notecards (5 Per Student) LESSON STEP BY STEP 1. Post or read the following quotes: “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” S. Covey “Earn the right to be heard by listening to others.” J. Maxwell “Most of the successful people I know do more listening than talking.” B. Baruch 2. SAY: Our… READ MORE >
View from My Window
MATERIALS Writing supplies for students Unusual object (optional for the variation of the activity) LESSON STEP BY STEP 1. Gather the students around a classroom window. 2. Allow a few moments for silent observation of the scene outside. 3. Next, ask each student to silently write one descriptive sentence about what they observe. 4. Have… READ MORE >
Investigating Communication
MATERIALS Chart paper Colored writing utensils, one per student Sticky Notes (optional) LESSON STEP BY STEP 1. Formulate one or more important, open-ended questions that will provoke comments and responses on the topic of communication such as: Three words that come to mind when you think of communication? What is the most important concept/skill in… READ MORE >
The Danger of a Single Story
MATERIALS AV to play video Student writing supplies LESSON STEP BY STEP 1. Post and read the essential question for this session: How do stereotypes influence how we react and communicate to people? 2. Ask students to do a 3-minute quick-write to answer this question. 3. Read this quote by the video’s speaker to introduce… READ MORE >
Reading Body Language
MATERIALS AV equipment to watch video clips Body Language 2 Thought Catcher Worksheet LESSON STEP BY STEP 1. Begin by “posing” with a few different body postures and expressions such as: • Standing, hands on hips • Leaning back in a chair • Furrowed brow, nodding • Sitting, legs crossed, tapping 2. Ask students to… READ MORE >
Perseverance Roundtable
LESSON INTRO The goals of this session are to get students into a dense and divergent discussion. Refer to the Facilitator Tips section for ideas about how to engage students in rich discussion. PERSEVERANCE THEMED DISCUSSION PROMPTS These question prompts can be used for a discussion roundtable based on perseverance. As an alternative, invite students… READ MORE >
Communication Roundtable
LESSON INTRO The goals of this session are to get students into a dense and divergent discussion. Refer to the Facilitator Tips section for ideas about how to engage students in rich discussion. COMMUNICATION THEMED DISCUSSION PROMPTS 1. These question prompts can be used for a discussion roundtable based on Challenge. As an alternative, invite… READ MORE >