Listen Up Lesson Plan Listen Up, Buttercup!
Tier 2 Social-Emotional Learning • Kindergarten
30 Minutes
Objective
Students will be able to explain at least two reasons why listening is important in different situations (e.g., school, home, with friends).
Prep & Materials
Review Lesson Plan & Slide Deck
Print Listening Rules Worksheet for each student
Clear space for movement activities
Display Listen Up! Slide Deck
Why it Matters
"Effective listening is a foundational skill that helps students succeed academically, navigate social situations, and stay safe."
Lesson Sequence
1
Introduction & Warm-Up (5 min)
Start with Listening Ears Warm Up! . Ask: "What does it mean to be a good listener?" Introduce the theme: Listening helps us in many super ways!
2
Why Listening Matters (5 min)
Use Listen Up! Slide Deck . Discuss learning, safety, and friends. Ask: "What happens if you don't listen to the teacher?" or "Why listen to parents about safety?"
3
Listen & Move Game! (8 min)
Active practice. Use the Listen & Move Game! guide. Emphasize following multi-step directions and stopping when instructions stop.
4
Echo & Act Activity! (7 min)
Practice auditory memory. Use Echo & Act Activity! . Students say the rule, then do the action (e.g., "Clap three times!").
5
Listening Rules Worksheet (3 min)
Review learning. Students circle listening behaviors and draw themselves being a "Buttercup" listener.
6
Cool Down & Wrap-Up (2 min)
Use Quiet Time Cool Down . Recap main points. Students share one thing they learned about listening today.
Listen Up Slide Deck Listen Up,
Buttercup! 🎧
Why Listening is Super Important!
Tier 2 Small Group Lesson
What Does Good Listening Look Like? 👀👂
It means using your ears to hear and your eyes to see!
Show me your listening ears and eyes right now!
Teacher: Welcome students. Ask what listening means. Have them practice "turning on" their ears.
Listening Helps You Learn! 🍎
When you listen to your teacher, you learn new and exciting things!
Teacher: Explain that listening helps them learn in class. Give a specific example from today.
Listening Keeps You Safe! 🛑
Listening to rules helps you stay safe at school and at home.
Crossing the street
Using playground toys
Fire drills
STOP & LISTEN
Teacher: Discuss how listening to grown-ups keeps them safe. Mention traffic or playground rules.
Listening Makes You a Good Friend! 🤗
When you listen to your friends, you show you care about what they say.
Teacher: Talk about how listening makes friends feel good and helps build strong friendships.
So Many Reasons to Listen! ✨
Learn
Stay Safe
Be Kind
Are you ready for some listening fun?
Teacher: Summarize key reasons. Preview activities (games and worksheet).
Listening Rules Worksheet Name:
Listening Rules
Listen Up, Buttercup!
Circle the pictures that show GOOD listening!
Looking at the speaker
Looking away / distracted
Covering ears
Ears are "turned on"
Draw a picture of YOURSELF being a good listener!
I am a good listener when I .
Listening Activity Guides 1 Listening Ears Warm Up!
Teacher: "Can everyone show me their listening ears?" (Students cup hands behind ears)
Teacher: "Can you show me your listening eyes?" (Students point to eyes)
Teacher: "When our listening ears and eyes are ready, we can hear and see so many important things!"
1
Dial Up: Pretend to turn a dial on your ears to turn the volume up!
2
Focus: Point to your eyes and look at the person speaking.
Echo & Act Activity!
Objective: Practice auditory memory & following directions.
Teacher gives an instruction (e.g., "Touch your nose!" )
Students ECHO it back out loud.
Students ACT it out!
Stomp feet!
Clap hands!
Pat knees!
Wiggle fingers!
Spin once!
High five!
Listen and Move Game Listen & Move Game!
Practice active listening & following multi-step directions.
Time: 8 Minutes
How to Play:
The teacher calls out a series of simple movements.
Students must listen carefully and only do the movement if the teacher says "Buttercup Says!"
If the teacher gives a command without saying "Buttercup Says," students should stand perfectly still.
The Twist: If students make a mistake, they just "turn on" their ears again and keep playing—no "out" system to keep it positive!
Movement Command Ideas
Hop on one foot
Wave to a friend
Put your hands on your head
Sit down on the floor
Touch your elbows
Fly like a butterfly
Quiet Time Cool Down Guide Quiet Time Cool Down
Objective: Reflect on listening and practice calm focus.
1
Ask students to sit quietly in their spots (criss-cross applesauce).
2
Guide them to close their eyes gently or look down at their hands.
3
The Big Question: "Think about one thing you learned today about why listening is important."
4
Give about 30 seconds of quiet thinking time. Emphasize that "thinking is listening to your own brain!"
Discussion Prompts
"What is one way listening helps you at school?"
"How can being a good listener help you with your family?"
"What did you hear today that made you think about listening differently?"
Encourage students to listen respectfully to each answer!