Much of school (and life) focuses on speaking and listening skills. Listed below are examples of how we’ve been practicing:
Speaking: During morning meeting we took a minute to think about the weekend and chose one moment that stood out. Next, students shared the moment in as much detail as they could remember. Interestingly, their classmates often asked for more detail. Focusing on one specific part of a whole and describing it is a skill in and of itself; it transfers to all areas of the curriculum.
Today students presented their map projects to the class. Groups described what they learned, what was hard and what was fun. They’re learning to speak out, use eye contact with audience members while teaching new information. Students are presenting all of the time—by voicing questions, connections, and discoveries; they formally do so every couple of weeks.
 |
| Students write comments about design and content while listening to each others map presentation |
Listening: Sometimes during meeting I will ask a question to check for understanding. For example, “Point to the student who went to the craft fair this weekend.”
Another more formal way of assessing for understanding occurred last week. After half the students presented their ‘Why do People Move’ interviews, I asked seven questions based on what was covered (a quiz question could be, for example, “What reasons did Seli’s Dad move from California?"). After the pop quiz, we discussed strategies that students could have used to retain information (sit close, take notes, no side conversations). During the second round of presentations, students sat close rapt in attention while taking notes. They listened much more effectively!
Learning listening strategies and understanding how one best comprehends information is empowering. Now, students often ask to take notes or sit closer.
Homework for tonight is to:
3. spelling
