Seeking for understanding means that one needs to take the time to listen and understand where things are coming from, without making any assumptions or judgments. Before we expect others to understand our point of views, one needs to give others the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings. This habit addresses the circle of influence. I can control my approach to becoming a better listener at the same time that I can help others change their perspective. Becoming a good listener can also help for collaboration. The better we communicate, the more productive.
What do I want to change and commit to (modeling)?
· Focus more in the message rather than the words themselves.
· Become a better listener.
· Rephrase what I hear to make sure I understood correctly.
· To become more empathetic.
· Not to use paradigm filters when listening to others.
· Agree to disagree
Teaching new knowledge:
I decided to use resources from the “Leader in Me” official website because this is a difficult concept to explain. I found this lesson that I liked for my students.
FRANKLIN COVEY LESSON PLAN
Brush That Bullying Away!
By: Pam Almond and Debbie Falkner, A.B. Combs Elementary School Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood Grade 2
Common Core State Standards Connections
• 2.lCR1.5 Exemplify how to communicate with others with kindness and respect.
• PE.2.PR.4.2 Summarize the benefits of positive social interaction as to make activities more enjoyable.
• 2.MEH.1.1 Identify appropriate standards for behavior.
• SL2.6 Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, students will understand that words are very powerful tools that can either encourage or discourage our friends.
Materials
• "The Berenstain Bears and the Bully" by Jan and Stan Berenstain
• Toothpaste
• Paper plate
Learning Activities
REVIEW (1 minutes)
Ask, "What does Seek First to Understand mean? Can you give an example?"
ANTICIPATORY Set (3 minute)
Ask, "Have you ever said something to a friend that made him or her sad or happy? Why do you think those words made your friend feel that way?"
END IN MIND/OBJECTIVE (1 minute)
Say, "Today we will read a book and learn that our words and actions affect our friends in positive and negative ways."
GUIDED PRACTICE (30 minutes)
Read "The Berenstain Bears and the Bully" and lead a discussion about how Sister Bear felt when she was being bullied at school. Then ask students to raise their hand and tell about a mean comment they’ve heard or a mean action they’ve seen. Each time a student talks about a mean comment or action, squeeze out a little bit of toothpaste onto a paper plate. After about 10 of these responses and a lot of toothpaste on the paper plate. Say, “Can I put the toothpaste back into the tube? No! What if the person who did these mean things says “I’m sorry”? Can he or she take back the mean words or actions?” Lead the students to understand that even though the bully can and should apologize, the hurtful words and actions are like the toothpaste. Once it’s out, you can’t take it back, but you can always make amends to build a stronger friendship.
CLOSURE (10 minutes)
Say “As friends we sometimes say or do things we don’t mean to do. Sometimes we may not seek to understand our friends’ feelings. It is times like these that we need to use our words and talk to our friends so that we can seek to understand their feelings and they can seek to understand our feelings.”
Resources:
The Leader In Me Online. (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2015, from http://www.theleaderinmeonline.org/community/view/279/brush-that-bullying-away-official-franklincovey-lesson-plan