A Listening Walk

A few years ago, I learned about the book The Listening Walk by Paul Showers.  I love it for my little guys to open their ears to the sounds they hear all day everyday!  We read the story together and then go on a Listening Walk of our own!

On a Listening Walk I do not talk.

On a Listening Walk I do not talk.

We echo that phrase over and over and over again with hand motions (starting to integrate Whole Brain Teaching into my daily practices!) to try to get these 4 and 5 year olds to close their mouths and open their ears.  Typically it works!

Before heading outside, we talk about some sounds we might hear outside.  Birds, leaves, wind, crickets, cars, etc.  I try to direct their attention so they have something to listen out for.

Outside I take them all around the playground and close to the wooded area around us.  Every so often I direct their attention silently to the sky for a bird, or an airplane, or to the leaves on the trees.

With Kindergarten, we head inside as well and listen to the sounds around school: keyboard clicking, doors closing, teachers vs. student voices, etc.  

In First Grade this year, I decided to make up a coloring sheet as an activity after our walk.  I bring out crayons and after our walk around the playground, they get the chance to reflect and draw a picture of some sounds their heard.

You can find a link to download My Listening Walk worksheet FREE on my Teachers Pay Teachers store!