Mini-Lesson Plan

Objective: Today I will discuss music interests with my group and listen to my peers, so I can
understand other perspectives.

Definition of Thinking Interdependently:

Thinking interdepently is the ability to share ideas, listen to each other, build ideas
collaboratively and draw on each other's individual strengths.

How We Can Use It:

 Group Work
 Discussions
 Studying
 Service
 Building Relationships

Activity
-Ask students if they have heard the saying “Great minds think alike.” Tell them that in this
class we rephrase to say “Great minds think better together.” Explain that thinking
interdependently means it’s ok to have different opinions. Sharing and listening means we
can have multiple ideas to have even better results.
-Ask students what makes a good listener and good speaker. Expect to hear responses like
eye contact, clarity, repeating what was heard, responding appropriately.
-Show students some sentence and question stems they can use during conversations in class.
-Students practice using the stems as they discuss their musical interests with their group. Each
time I hear a group member using the stems as I walk around, that group gets tickets to use
in the class raffle.

Reflection:
Students reflect on whether they exhibit the characteristics of a good listener in their everyday
lives.