Listen Up Lesson PlanListen Up, Little Ears! Lesson Plan • Pre-K 15 min Why This Matters Developing strong listening skills and the ability to follow directions is foundational for academic success, social interaction, and safety. It helps children participate effectively and build positive habits early on. Objective Students will demonstrate active listening and accurately follow one and two-step directions. Materials Slide Deck: Listen Up! Warm Up: Copy Cat Actions Activity: Follow the Leader Cool Down: Thumbs Up/Down Teacher Prep • Review the lesson plan and all associated materials. • Ensure the classroom space is clear for movement. • Set up the projector for the Slide Deck. Approach: Through engaging games and clear, simple instructions. Instructional Steps 1 Warm-Up: Copy Cat Actions 2 MIN Begin with the Warm Up: Copy Cat Actions to get students engaged. Explain that students should copy your actions exactly. This gets their eyes on you and their bodies ready to move. 2 What is Listening? 3 MIN Use Slide 2 to introduce the concept. Ask: "What does it mean to really listen?" (e.g., quiet mouth, eyes on speaker). Use Slide 3 to discuss why it's important (staying safe, learning, playing nicely). 3 Activity: Follow the Leader Says 7 MIN Introduce the activity using Slide 4. Explain the rules: only move if you hear "The Leader Says." Start with 1-step directions (clap), then move to 2-step (touch head then stomp). Mix in "trick" directions without the phrase. 4 Cool Down: Thumbs Up, Down 3 MIN Wrap up with Slide 5. Lead the Cool Down activity. Ask reflection questions (e.g., "Does listening help us stay safe?") and have students respond with thumbs.
Listen Up Presentation SlidesListen Up, Little Ears! Let's learn how to be super listeners! Teacher: Welcome students and get them excited about listening! What is Listening? Eyes looking at the speaker Mouth quiet Body still Ears ready to hear! Notes: Ask students what listening means. Emphasize body control and eye contact. Why Listening Matters We learn new things! We stay safe! We play well with friends! We understand what to do! Notes: Use these points to start a conversation about why we listen at school and home. Game Time! "Follow the Leader Says" Get ready to practice your amazing listening ears! Notes: Transition to the activity. Explain the rules: only move if you hear "The Leader Says." Great Listening! You are all fantastic listeners! Let's think about what we learned. YES NO Notes: Congratulate the class! Lead the "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" reflection game.
Copy Cat Warm Up ScriptWarm Up Activity Copy Cat Actions 2 Minutes Whole Group Teacher Script "Good morning friends! Let's get our bodies and brains ready to listen! We're going to play a quick 'Copy Cat' game. I'll do an action, and you copy me! Listen and watch carefully!" The Copy Cat Sequence 1 Teacher claps hands. Students copy. 2 Teacher touches nose. Students copy. 3 Teacher wiggles fingers. Students copy. 4 Teacher stomps feet quietly. Students copy. 5 Teacher touches toes. Students copy. Tip: Vary the speed! Go super fast for one action, then super slow for the next to keep their focus sharp.
Follow the Leader Activity GuideMain Activity Follow the Leader Says 7 Minutes Listening Focus Instructions to Students "Okay, listeners, it's time for a special game called 'Follow the Leader Says!' This game helps us practice our listening ears. Here's how it works: you only do an action if I say, 'The Leader Says...' before the action. If I just say the action without 'The Leader Says,' you freeze! Don't do it! Got it? Let's try!" 1 Level 1: One-Step Directions "The Leader Says touch your head." "The Leader Says wiggle your toes." "Touch your shoulders!" (FREEZE!) 2 Level 2: Two-Step Directions "The Leader Says touch your knees, then pat your head." "The Leader Says jump up and down once." "Stomp your feet, then turn around!" (FREEZE!) "The Leader Says give yourself a hug, then smile big!" "Continue with various actions, making them sillier as they get better at listening!"
Thumbs Up Reflection GuideCool Down & Reflection Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down 3 Minutes Reflective Play Closing Words "Wow, you all did such a great job practicing your listening today! Let's do a quick 'Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down' to think about what we learned. Thumbs up if you agree, thumbs down if you don't or if you're not sure." Reflection Questions "Give me a thumbs up if you think listening helps you learn new things at school." "Give me a thumbs up if listening helps you stay safe." "Give me a thumbs up if you think it's important to look at the person who is talking to you." "Give me a thumbs up if you tried your best to listen and follow directions today!" Fantastic Job! "You all have super listening ears! Keep practicing every day!"
