Listen and Following Directions - QR Code Listening Center, Assessment

We are keenly aware of the connection of listening skills and students' behavior.  Observe a class for a short period of time and you will quickly see which students need extra listening lessons.  Teachers with a "Listen Logan" may feel exhausted by the end of the day because of the extra time spent directing and redirecting their "Listen Logan".  Does this sound familiar?

• Logan, why aren't you lined up?  I blew my whistle twice.
• Logan, I told the class that everyone needs to push in his or her chair before you come to the carpet.  Why didn't you follow directions?
• Logan how many times do I have to ask you to . . . . 
• Logan, bring me your take-home folder . . . (5 minutes later) Logan, I need your take-home folder.  (another 5 minutes)  Where is your take-home folder, Logan?
• Logan, do you see what all of your classmates are doing? We clean up when I ring my bell 3 times.  Why aren't you cleaning up?

Listening skills are one of those unsung heroes of the academic skill world.  We often hear and read articles, books, and posts about phonics, phonemic awareness, addition, and subtraction.  What we often overlook is the impact listening skills have on students' academic achievement.

If a "Listen Logan" is not actively listening to your lesson, he or she will miss valuable content which overtime impacts academic achievement.

Back to school time is the perfect time to do a quick whole group assessment of your students' listening skills.  Your students will love the fun, non-threatening format of the Listen & Draw lesson - listening skills assessment.  You will love how quiet your class is during the lesson!  

My Listen & Draw files include teacher directions with 10 steps of directions that you will read to your class.  Your students will listen to your directions and then draw what you tell them to do in the picture box.  At the end they will write a sentence or sentences about the pictures.   This also makes a good writing sample to keep in their portfolio for conferences and RTI.

Most of my Listen & Draw files include:

• 10 - 12 Lessons with Teacher directions
• Answer key - sample
• Student worksheet
• Sign with Listen & Draw directions (listen to teacher, work quietly, etc.)

I just finished completely revamping the first Listen & Draw file that I made.  I am now calling this Listen & Draw Plus because of all of the additional resources this file now has.  Some of these are requests from teachers and others are things I thought would help with assessment.

GRADING CHARTS

All of the Listen & Draw directions are now on a half-page chart (shown in 2 pictures above).  If you look at the chart in the graphic titled "Assess Listening Skills" you will see a sample of how to grade.  I highlighted the words in the directions that the student did not follow.  In the comment section, I wrote the skills that this student needs extra practice:  color words, position/preposition, and plural nouns. 

COLOR CODE: In the picture above, I copied the grading charts on different colored paper.  Choose the lessons that you plan to use for each grading period.  Print those grading charts on a different color.  

DIFFERENTIATE YOUR GRADING:  You can give different expectations for the writing portion of this for different students, groups, or grading periods.  There are 3 different points charts - 10, 12, and 15 points - for teachers who differentiate the writing.  Example:

• Student A - Expectation: write 1 complete sentence = 1 point
• Use the 10 points chart
• Student B - Expectation: write more than 1 sentence = 2 points
• Use 12 points chart
• Student C - Expectation: You can set your own expectations.  Suggestion:  
• Student earns 2 points if he/she adds detail to picture that shows the setting of the picture.
• Students earns 3 points for writing 3+ sentences that include 5 or more words.

What do you do if some of your students need more practice but not all of them?  There are 12 lessons in this file.  If you use 4 of the lessons for Beginning of the year, 1st quarter, 2nd quarter, and 3rd quarter assessments, you will have 8 lessons to use with these students.  

Put students who need additional practice in a Listening Skill Group.  Don't have time to read the directions to your class?  No problem, you can use the QR Code listening center included with the Listen & Draw Plus.

To save time, put earbuds in a ziplock bag, punch a hole in the bag, and put the bag on a ring.  Put a label with students' name or number on the ziplock.  

Recognize and reward your Super Listeners.  There are Brag Tags and happy notes included to motivate all of your students.  Hopefully, with a little extra practice and motivation all of your students will become better listeners and you will come home with more energy!

Pin this now so you will have it for later.

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Click HERE to read my blog's disclosure statement.

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Listening Skills & the Classroom

When you think about baseline testing or beginning of the year testing, do you include listening skills? Back to school is a hectic time of the year. Adding one more thing to your to-do list may not be something you want to do. Once you see the impact listening skills have for your students' academics and behavior, you will be happy to add another thing to your to-do list.

Do you have a "Listen Lizzie" in your class?

• Lizzie interrupts your reading group lesson to ask how to complete her center assignment.
• Lizzie does not line up at the end of recess.
• Transitions are difficult for Lizzie. Lizzie refuses to clean up when you ring your bell that it is time to cleanup.
• Lizzie often needs redirected during your lessons.

Poor listening skills can sometimes be misinterpreted as willful or not making good choices.  Some students' behavior and "choices" in the classroom will improve when you add listening activities to your lessons.

It is helpful to schedule a conference at the beginning of the year when you have a  "Listen Lizzie".  Frequent ear infections during the toddler years is common with the "Listen Lizzie" student.  If you've ever had an ear infection, you know that it can affect your hearing.  An ear infection is similar to hearing with your head underwater.  You can hear noise, but not the actual words.  You may turn towards who is speaking, but not know the meaning of the words.  You may even look for gestures or other body language to help you.  --Please note, this is my personal theory and observations.

Children learn to follow multi-step directions in the toddler years. Toddlers with frequent ear infections do not develop these important skills.  A parent with more than one child may notice a difference in their child's listening skills, but not always. Parents may not realize the impact of listening skills until their child is bringing home notes and/or a teacher requests a conference.

There are activities your student's parent can do to help your "Listen Lizzie".

Parent Tips:

• Before giving your child directions, ask him/her to look at you.
• Say the direction(s) in short, simple sentences.
• Tell your child to repeat the direction before he/she begins.
• You will begin by giving one-step directions.  Example "Lizzie, bring me your take-home reader."
• Once your child is successful following one-step directions over an extended time period, add another step.  
• Continue adding steps when your child shows improvement.
• Remember, this is a skill.  Like any skill, your child will need to practice.  Think of at least one tangible, measurable thing you can ask your child to do each day.  Then ask your child to do it.  Example:

Set the table

One step direction:

• Lizzie, please put these plates on the table.

Two step directions:

• Lizzie, please put these plates on the table.
• Then put the forks on the table.

Three step directions:

• Lizzie, please put these plates on the table.
• Then put the forks on the table.
• Last, take the salt and pepper shakers to the table.

There are activities you can do with your class that will help your "Listen Lizzie" plus strengthen all of your students' listening skills.

Listen & Draw - FREE lesson

All Listen & Draw Lessons

Listen and Draw is a 20-30 minute whole group lesson that you can use to test and strengthen your students' listening abilities. The only supplies needed are the worksheet, a pencil, and crayons. You will read the directions telling students what to draw, one step at a time. You will read the directions 2 times before you go to the next step. Students need to listen closely to what you are saying so they will know what to draw. Students who do not listen closely will not have that part of the drawing in their picture.

After listening to your directions, your class will write a sentence(s) about the picture. This is also a good writing sample to show growth throughout the year.
Recommendations:

• Beginning of the Year: Give your class Listen & Draw lesson. Save this lesson for their portfolio to show parents at conference time.
• Show Growth: At least once a month give your class a Listen & Draw lesson. Hopefully, you will see growth in their listening skills and writing skills.
• Conferences: If listening skills are an issue, share the Listen & Draw lessons with your students' parents.
• R.T.I.: You can also use these for R.T.I.
• Sub Plans & Inside Recess: Use these for inside recess and your sub plans. You and your sub will appreciate how your class is quiet for this lesson.

Read stories about listening.  Ask your librarian if your school has the books below.  You will be happy to see that it is easier for your students to learn when they are good listeners!

Listen & Learn

Listen Buddy

Howard B. Wigglebottom: Learns to Listen

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Listen & Learn: Listening Skills

• Do you find yourself answering questions about the directions that you just gave your class? 
• Does your voice get hoarse from repeating yourself? 
• Do you feel like you have tried everything but still your students aren't listening? 

Observe your class during their lesson with the librarian or school counselor. Look for signs of active listening. Sometimes we assume that our students are actively listening when they are quiet. This isn't always true. Listening is a skill like reading or playing soccer that you need to practice in order to improve.

You can promote and practice active listening when giving directions for an assignment:

Engage your students when giving important directions. Example: "Boys and girls hold up one first and repeat after me, the first step of this assignment is ____", (class repeats while holding up one finger), "Now class hold up 2 fingers and repeat, the second step of what I will do is _____", (class repeats while holding up two fingers), continue until all of the directions are given.
If your class is sitting at their table or desk, you can ask them to stand up when they repeat what you say, and sit down when they listen to you. Movement helps engage them and with the wiggles.

Sponge activities that improve listening skills:

Teacher or student leader says:

• If you can hear me tap your chin. 
• If you can hear me jump 2 times. 
• If you can hear me flap your arms like a chicken. 
• If you can hear me touch your left elbow. 
• Mental math: teacher or student leader gives math problems to the class. Great activity to use when class is waiting in line. 

4 + 2 + 6 + 1 = __ 

7 + 5 + 5 + 8 + 2 = __ 

In order to actively listen, students need to concentrate on what the speaker is saying. This skill requires stamina. Practice! Practice! Practice!

Assessing listening skills can be done formally and informally. You will notice that you have to repeat directions less often as your students' listening skills improve (informal assessment). It is helpful if you have a baseline of where your students begin to see how they improve during the school year. Listening skills can cause academic and behavior problems for students. This is one more tool to add to your teacher toolbox.

Listen and Draw is an activity that is a non-threatening way to assess your students' listening skills. I recommend doing activities like these at the beginning of the year and at least once a month throughout the year. It is helpful documentation for parent-teacher conference, R.T.I., and other times when you are looking at behavior or academic issues. Listening skills impact many areas in the classroom. I have a FREE sample that you can use with your class.

Click HERE for a FREE sample.

Listen & Draw - PLUS:  includes additional materials that the other files do not include.  These materials include: QR Codes, MP3 files, assessment tools, brag tags, and happy notes.

Listen & Draw - Inferences & Superhero lessons are a big hit with students!

Listen & Draw - Fall / Autumn
Listen & Draw - Winter
Listen & Draw - Spring
Listen & Draw - Summer
Listen & Draw - BUNDLE (includes the files above)

Listen & Draw - Christmas
Listen & Draw - Ocean
Listen & Draw - CVC Words
Listen & Draw - R Controlled Words

Listen & Draw - Poetry - FREE
Listen & Draw - CVC Words - FREE
Listen & Draw - R-Controlled Words - FREE

How do you promote active listening?

Sources to make my blog post graphics can be found HERE. Click HERE to read my blog's disclosure statement.

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Listening Skills: Listen & Draw, E.S.L., Sub Plans, Inside Recess, R.T.I., Parent-Teacher Conferences, & More!

How do you teach promote active listening? Before you can effectively teach procedures and academic skills, your students need to listen and attend to what you are saying.  Do you have a "Listen Larry"?

• After going over the directions of an assignment, you can always count on "Listen Larry" to raise his hand or come to your desk because he has no idea what he is supposed to do.
• "Listen Larry" often turns in assignments that are missing important details, details that you emphasized in your directions.
• "Listen Larry" is usually the last one to line up at recess.  Sometimes you even have to send a student to find him because he doesn't hear the whistle that you use to tell your class to line up.
• At clean up time, "Listen Larry" will continue working in his center.  Often a classmate has to tap him on the shoulder to tell him that it is time to stop.

There are different reasons for poor listening skills.  I have compiled a Pinterest board of blog posts with tips and research about listening skills.  

Click HERE to check out my A+ Listening Skills Pinterest board.

Last year, I wrote a blog post with a listening activity to show what I did at the beginning of the year.  Teachers emailed me asking for more of these listen and draw activities.  I now have a series of Listen and Draw activities that you can use throughout the year.  Plus a FREEBIE for you try. 

I have a new type of Listen & Draw packet that has CVC words for the theme.  This is a great way to work on reading skills and promote active listening at the same time.

You can differentiate the writing assignment of this activity. I recommend doing this as a teacher directed activity in the beginning.  You may want to introduce this in a small group setting if your class has a wide range of abilities.  You can give different groups different expectations for the writing assignment portion of the activity.  There is an extra writing page included for your students who are ready to write a paragraph or story about the picture.

You can add technology to this, too with a listening center. Once your students are comfortable with the format, you can record the directions, ask a parent volunteer, or drama department at your local high school if there is a student who is interested in doing this for you.  Students are often looking for community service opportunities.

After each step, either pause to give students time to do the work or use some type of noise maker like a bell or xylophone.  Tell your students to push the “stop” button when he/she hears the sound.  Push the “go” button after he/she follows the directions and is ready for the next step.  

All of the Listen and Draw packets have a sign with the directions when you use this as a teacher directed activity.  It is helpful to hang it up as a reminder.

I added another sign for directions if you use it this as a listening center in the CVC Word packet.  You can have this a copy of it, too. Click HERE for this FREEBIE.

This can be used many different ways.  

EMERGENCY SUB PLANS:  Great activity for your sub.
R.T.I. DOCUMENTATION:  Shows proof of listening skills and writing skills growth over time for R.T.I.
INSIDE RECESS - FRIDAY FUN DAY:  Students will love the art part of these activities.  You will love the fact that your students are quiet so they can listen to the directions.
E.S.L. / E.L.L. teachers love these activities! 

Great way to teach prepositions, too!

Add these to your seasonal plans.  There are Listen & seasonal Draw packets plus one that can be used at any time of the year and the CVC words themed one.

THE DETAILS:
Go over the directions and then hang the sign as a reminder. This is an easy prep activity. The only supplies your students will need are the assignment, crayons, and a pencil.

Each Listen & Draw packets includes 
12 Listen and Draw activities with a different theme.  For each activity there is:
-Teacher direction page
-Blackline student page

-Colorful page showing what the art portion of the listening activity could look like.  Art work answers may vary.

You can also add these listening skills lessons to your students' portfolios.  They are great documentation and useful at parent-teacher conferences.

These can also be used for RTI.

This is the original packet.  The lessons in this packet can be used at any time of the year.

Original: Listen & Draw.  

Would you like to try a FREE sample?  Click on the picture below.

I have other Listen and Draw packets.

CVC Words theme

Click HERE to check it out.

Fall theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Christmas theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Winter theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Spring theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Summer theme

Click HERE to check it out.

Bundle: includes all except for the Christmas packet. 

Click HERE to check out the bundle.

 I plan to make holiday themed packets this year and will make a bundle of them at the end of the year.

How do you teach listening skills?

Sources to make my blog post graphics can be found HERE.
Click HERE to read my blog's disclosure statement.

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Listening Skills: Classroom Management, RTI, ESL, and more!

Listening skills are so important!  Before you can effectively teach procedures and academic skills, your students need to listen and attend to what you are saying. 

Last year, I wrote a blog post with a listening activity to show what I did at the beginning of the year.  Teachers emailed me asking for more of these listen and draw activities.  I now have a series of Listen and Draw activities that you can use throughout the year.  Plus a FREEBIE for you try.

DIFFERENTIATION
I recommend doing this as a teacher directed activity in the beginning.  You may want to introduce this in a small group setting if your class has a wide range of abilities.  You can give different groups different expectations for the writing assignment portion of the activity.  There is an extra writing page included for your students who are ready to write a paragraph or story about the picture.

TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION
Once your students are comfortable with the format, you can record the directions or ask a parent volunteer to do it for you.  Or ask the drama department at your local middle school or high school if there is a student who is interested in doing this for you.  Students are often looking for community service opportunities.

After each step, either pause to give students time to do the work or use some type of noise maker like a bell or xylophone.  Tell your students to push the “stop” button when he/she hears the sound.  Push the “go” button after he/she follows the directions and is ready for the next step.  

MANY USES:
This can be used many different ways.  
WRITING CENTER: Record the directions and set it up as a center.
EMERGENCY SUB PLANS:  Great activity for your sub.
R.T.I. DOCUMENTATION:  Great way to show proof of listening skills growth over time for R.T.I.
INSIDE RECESS - FRIDAY FUN DAY:  Students will love the art part of these activities.  You will love the fact that your students are quiet so they can listen to the directions.
E.S.L. / E.L.L.:   E.S.L. / E.L.L. teachers have left some very nice feedback.  They said it worked great with their students.  

Great way to teach prepositions, too!

Go over the directions and then hang the sign in the graphic above as a reminder.  This is an easy prep activity. The only supplies your students will need are the assignment, crayons, and a pencil.

Each Listen & Draw packets includes 
12 Listen and Draw activities with a different theme.  For each activity there is:
-Teacher direction page
-Blackline student page

-Colorful page showing what the art portion of the listening activity could look like.  Art work answers may vary.

This lesson is from the first packet that I made.  It can be used at any time of the year.  Many of the topics are school related so they are perfect for Back to School time.  Or add these lessons to your sub plans or do them at your next inside recess.

You can also add these listening skills lessons to your students' portfolios.  They are great documentation and useful at parent-teacher conferences.

These can also be used for RTI.

I have gotten great feedback from ESL teachers!

The lessons in the pictures above are from this Listen & Draw.  

Would you like to try a FREE sample?  Click on the picture below.

I have other Listen and Draw packets.

Fall theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Christmas theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Winter theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Spring theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Summer theme

Click HERE to check it out.

Bundle: includes all except for the Christmas packet. 

Click HERE to check out the bundle.

 I plan to make holiday themed packets this year and will make a bundle of them at the end of the year.

How do you teach listening skills?

Sources to make my blog post graphics can be found HERE.
Click HERE to read my blog's disclosure statement.

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