Agreement #1: Attentive Listening

Monday, August 24, 2009

Posted by Ben Koch, M.Ed.

Today in class we discussed the difference between a "rule" and an "agreement." While rules are lists of "don'ts" the teacher posts without consulting the students, an agreement is more like a contract between the teacher and the students. The purpose of an agreement is to answer the question: What would create the best learning environment in our classroom?

Our first agreement is Attentive Listening. Here is what we brainstormed this agreement looks, sounds, and feels like:

• Looks Like - eyes on person speaking, hands to self, raise hand to speak, mouth closed while listening
• Sounds Like - one voice at a time (within a pair, group or class)
• Feels Like - you can count on being listened to when it's your turn to speak.

Please help reinforce this agreement at home by emphasizing these basic behaviors!