Active Listening in Nature
Posted by Lloyd MitchellOver the last few weeks, seventh graders have been exploring the idea of what it means to be an active listener. Building on our recent activities with practice of listening with our peers, today we took the experience in a new direction by exploring the idea of being an active listener in nature. Taking advantage of the beautiful weather, we went to our outdoor classroom and each person found a spot where they were not within eye-sight of anyone else and sat for 20 minutes in silence. As the activity carried on, man-made noises came into the picture and heightened our experience. After the time was up, we reconvened as a group and talked about the experience. Many commented on noticing that as they sat, their hearing became attuned to the animals and leaves. Others noted the feeling of the wind and as they sat, the more they could feel the chill in the air. Many commented on how difficult the noise made the experience as more noise became a factor. The experience was a success. Students were able to heighten their senses and at the same time realize how busy our own lives are and how necessary it is to take the time to become attuned to nature. We ended our activity watching a short Ted Talk by Louie Schwartzberg on Nature and Gratitude which gave great closure to our activity.
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