Sound Map: What the Schoolyard Hears

A cool-down where each student draws a map of the sounds around them, showing direction and distance. It lowers arousal and trains listening, a key skill for watching wildlife.

How to play

1. Walk slowly to your own spot in the yard, away from others, and stand or sit on a bench (1 min).
2. An X in the middle of the sheet is you; in silence, draw each sound as a symbol in its direction, closer or farther depending on how it sounds (3 min).
3. Move ten meters and add, in another color, the sounds that change (2 min).
4. In pairs, compare maps and sort natural sounds from human ones (2 min).

Rules

• Total silence while drawing.
• Pick a spot several meters from anyone else.
• Stay inside the yard boundaries.
• Any made-up symbol works; no drawing skills needed.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: map what moves (leaves, birds, people) instead of what makes noise.
• Limited mobility: stay in one spot and add sounds during a second minute of listening.
• Students who struggle to write: symbols and arrows only.

Learning goals

• Calm down after the main activity.
• Sharpen listening skills.
• Tell natural sounds from human ones.

Equipment for a class of 25

• sheets of paper: 30
• pencils: 30

Teacher tip

A corner with trees works best; with heavy traffic, you'll get a good discussion too. Common mistake: chatting while moving spots; ask for a silent move.

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