So, this may be my favorite lesson EVER! I am still working on getting to all of the classrooms in the school for my beginning of the year rounds and I had a few teachers ask about a lesson on listening. Well, out of all of the Julia Cook books that I have, I didn't have one on listening...yet. I started to research lessons on listening and the book The Worst Day of my Life EVER! by Julia Cook kept coming up. I ordered the book and teacher's guide and I have never been so excited about a purchase (except maybe those dark chocolate peanut butter cups at TJ's). So anyway...the story is about a boy, RJ, who has an awful day because he doesn't listen and follow directions. He has a rough day with his mom, teacher, principal, and even his friends. RJ learns to use his skills of listening and following instructions and he ends up having the Best Day EVER!
I began the lesson with an activity about paying attention. I had 15 random items in a tray (scissors, toy car, paperclip, etc) and I take the tray around the room for the kids to look at. After everyone has had an opportunity to look at the items, they are to write down everything that they remember seeing. It is really eye opening to see how much they are able to remember and the strategies that they use to recall information.
I ended the lesson with The Silly Directions Game. Each student is given a card with silly instructions on it ("after someone claps their hands, turn the lights off in the classroom"). They are to follow the instructions on the card. The students have to pay close attention as to what is going on around the room in order to be ready and complete the game. The first time around was a mess, but after the students got the hang of it they wanted to do it over and over again! We talked about how listening and following instructions is not always easy, but it is important.
I began the lesson with an activity about paying attention. I had 15 random items in a tray (scissors, toy car, paperclip, etc) and I take the tray around the room for the kids to look at. After everyone has had an opportunity to look at the items, they are to write down everything that they remember seeing. It is really eye opening to see how much they are able to remember and the strategies that they use to recall information.
I ended the lesson with The Silly Directions Game. Each student is given a card with silly instructions on it ("after someone claps their hands, turn the lights off in the classroom"). They are to follow the instructions on the card. The students have to pay close attention as to what is going on around the room in order to be ready and complete the game. The first time around was a mess, but after the students got the hang of it they wanted to do it over and over again! We talked about how listening and following instructions is not always easy, but it is important.