Listening

In language arts, there are four types of listening: discriminative, aesthetic, efferent, and critical. Before discussing this in class, I didn't realize there were four types of listening, but once you think about it- it's really obvious. I feel that some teachers do not incorporate all styles of listening into their classroom, but this should be done. I think for the sake of time and because of standardized testing- aesthetic listening is often left out. Aesthetic listening is something that I definitely want to incorporate as a daily part of my classroom.

I believe people often take listening for granted. There are so many times when I think I am listening, but when someone gets done talking I find myself having no clue what they just said. If anything could possibly distract me, it will. Actually, I was just listening to one of my best friends tell a story as I was writing this and couldn't even tell you what she said. This just goes to show that just because you hear someone, does not mean you are listening to them.

Propaganda and persuasion are two reasons we should be especially careful listeners. I for one know that I fall victim to propaganda every day. I love commercials- and I especially love infomercials, but let's be real, if every exercise program was as simple, easy, and effective as they made it out, no one would be overweight. I loved the propaganda activity we did in class. Some of those commercials I see on a weekly basis, but I never realized how ridiculous they actually are. By teaching children to be critical listeners, we will be preparing them to differentiate propaganda. I think commercials would be a great and fun way to to teach propaganda in an elementary classroom as well.