Social Emotional Learning
Can You Hear Me?
Objective
In this activity, students will try to communicate with one another while one student wears headphones and listens to music. Students will then reflect on the challenges they faced in the activity and make connections to how animals face similar challenges due to noise pollution.
Instructions
Print and cut out the game cards with words and phrases for students to read to their partner. Remind students to use indoor voices during the activity!
Group students into pairs or small groups depending on materials and number of headphones available.
One person in each group will wear headphones listen to music, the other person/ people in the group will use the game cards.
Students with the headphones on first will make sure all they can hear is the music being played. Then, they will try their best to read their partner/ group mate’s lips as they read the phrase on the card. Students should whisper the words they are trying to say to the “listener” and do their best to communicate with someone who can’t hear them!
Students will switch off between being the speaker and the “listener” for about 10-15 minutes until everyone has had a turn.
Regroup as a class and reflect on the activity using the reflection questions below as a guide.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How did you feel when you were wearing the headphones? Could you easily figure out what your partner was saying?
How did you feel when you were trying to talk to their partner and they couldn’t hear you?
How do you think a noisy environment makes life hard for animals?
Do you think the animals feel the same way in their noisy environment as you felt trying to communicate with your partner?