Improving listening in the elementary grades

A single stratagem was taught to 36 students: 12 each in the second grade, the fourth grade, and the sixth grade, to improve their listening skills. The basic six stratagem taught the children how to ask who, what, when, where, why, and how questions. The children were seen three times a week in groups of six. The results of a pre - post test showed statistically significant improvement for the children in the listening program. The second-grade group showed an average improvement of 3.92 correct answers, a 23% improvement. The fourth-grade group showed an average improvement of 5.75 correct answers, a 23% improvement. The sixth-grade group showed an average improvement of 4.55 correct answers, a 12% improvement. Their classmates in the fourth and sixth grades, who also took the pre - post test, show no improvement in their pre - post test scores. The second-grade classroom children showed a significant improvement of 1.55 correct answers, which was a 9% improvement. The listening skills of children in the elementary grades can be improved through a direct teaching of a specific stratagem in a small group setting.