Listening and Speaking: Following Directions and Asking Questions
Listening and Speaking: Following Directions and Asking Questions Objective: By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to actively listen to a short story, follow spoken directions accurately, and ask relevant questions to clarify understanding, directly addressing speaking and listening skills.
Learning Objectives
- Understand and demonstrate active listening skills during spoken communication.
- Follow multi-step oral directions accurately.
- Formulate and ask relevant questions to clarify or gain more information.
Materials Needed
- A short age-appropriate story or passage (printed or digital)
- Paper and pencil
- Timer or stopwatch
Key Vocabulary
- Listening
- Paying close attention to sounds or spoken words in order to understand them.
- Question
- A sentence worded to get information or to clarify something.
- Directions
- Instructions or orders telling how to do something.
Detailed Activities
Listening and Following Directions
- Read aloud a short, simple story or passage to the student.
- After reading, give the student 3-4 oral directions related to the story (e.g., ‘Draw a picture of the main character’, ‘Write down two things that happened in the story’).
- Ask the student to repeat the directions back to you to check understanding.
- Allow the student time to complete the tasks as instructed.
- Discuss the completed work and review the directions to reinforce comprehension.
Asking Questions About the Story
- Encourage the student to think of at least three questions they have about the story.
- Model asking clear and specific questions first, then have the student try.
- Discuss why asking questions helps us understand better.
- Answer the student’s questions and prompt them to ask follow-up questions if appropriate.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to listen carefully and take their time when responding.
- Praise efforts to ask questions, even if they are simple or incomplete.
- Keep directions clear and concise to avoid confusion.
- This lesson focuses on oral communication skills that are important for everyday learning and social interaction.
Assessment Questions
- Can your child repeat the directions you give to check understanding?
- Did your child complete the tasks based on the oral directions correctly?
- Can your child ask at least two relevant questions about the story?
- Is your child able to listen attentively without interrupting?
Extension Ideas
- Have your child practice giving you oral directions to follow.
- Listen to an audio story or podcast together and discuss it afterward.
- Practice asking questions about other stories, videos, or real-life situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Break the directions into smaller steps and repeat them slowly. Encourage your child to repeat the directions back to you to help memory.
Model asking questions yourself and praise your child’s attempts. Prompt them with question starters like ‘Who’, ‘What’, ‘When’, ‘Where’, and ‘Why’.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Students may think listening is passive and not realize they need to actively focus to understand.
- Students might confuse asking questions with interrupting or may be shy about asking questions.
- Following multi-step oral directions can be challenging if they are too long or complex.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Use simpler language and fewer steps in directions.
- Allow the student to write down or draw parts of the directions to support memory.
- Provide extra practice with listening games or activities.
For Advanced Students:
- Challenge with longer or more complex stories and multi-step directions.
- Encourage the student to formulate open-ended questions and lead part of the discussion.
- Have the student summarize what they heard before asking questions.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Allow extra time for the student to process and repeat directions if needed.
- Pause frequently to check for understanding during the activities.
- Keep the lesson within 45 minutes to maintain attention and engagement.
Standards
- 8.SL.1a — Engage effectively in collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Printable Worksheet
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