Listen Up Look Up Lesson PlanListen Up, Look Up! Lesson Plan • 1st Grade Tier 2 Duration 15 min Objective Students will be able to identify and practice at least two behaviors that demonstrate active listening and respect when others are speaking. Why This Matters Learning to listen actively and respectfully is essential for effective communication, building strong relationships, and creating a positive classroom where everyone feels heard and valued. It helps students understand instructions, participate in discussions, and learn from their peers. Prep • Review the Small Group Discussion Points. • Print and cut the Active Listening Practice Cards. • Set up the Listen Up, Look Up! Slides. Materials • Slide Deck • Discussion Points Guide • Practice Cards • Warm-Up/Cool-Down Guides Instructional Steps 1 Warm-Up: What Does Listening Look Like? 3 Minutes Introduction (1 min): Greet students. "Today we're going to talk about something super important for our group: how we listen to each other!" Ask: "Why do you think it's important to really listen when someone else is talking?" Discussion (2 min): Guide a brief conversation about listening behaviors. Focus on eye contact, quiet hands, and not interrupting. Ask: "What do your eyes do when you're listening?" 2 Modeling and Practice 7 Minutes Teacher Models (2 min): Tell a very short story (e.g., about a pet). Intentionally make mistakes (fidgeting, looking away) then correct yourself. Ask: "What did you notice? What could I have done better?" Student Practice (5 min): Pair students. Distribute Practice Cards. One student shares their prompt; the other practices active listening. Switch after 2 minutes. Provide positive reinforcement. 3 Cool-Down: Share One Way to Listen 5 Minutes Group Share (3 min): Ask: "Who can share one thing they did well or one thing they want to remember for next time?" Emphasize that practicing helps everyone learn. Wrap-Up (2 min): Summarize: "Great listening helps our group work together and makes everyone feel good!" Collect cards.
Listen Up Look Up SlidesListen Up, Look Up! Why is listening important? Teacher Notes Welcome students and set a positive tone. Explain that today's lesson is about a super important skill: listening! What Does Good Listening Look Like? 1 Eyes on the speaker 2 Quiet hands and body 3 Thinking about what's being said 4 Not interrupting We listen with our whole bodies! Teacher Notes Use the Discussion Points to facilitate conversation. Ask students what active listening looks/sounds like. Encourage participation. Let's Practice! Teacher will share a story. Show your best listening! What did you notice? Teacher Notes Model both good and poor listening behaviors. Intentionally make "mistakes" (fidgeting, looking away) before correcting them. Use humor! Your Turn to Listen! Pair up with a partner. One person shares from their card. The other person practices active listening! Switch roles! Teamwork Time Teacher Notes Distribute Active Listening Practice Cards. Explain pairing clearly. Circulate to provide encouragement and gentle reminders. Our Listening Superpowers! What's one way you were an amazing listener today? What will you remember for next time? Teacher Notes Bring the group back together. Ask each student to share one positive behavior they practiced. Reinforce that listening makes everyone feel valued. Keep Listening, Keep Learning! Great listening makes our group strong! Teacher Notes Thank students for their participation. Remind them that practicing these skills helps the whole group thrive.
Listening Discussion Points GuideSmall Group Discussion Points Topic: Listening and Respect What Does Listening Look Like? Q: What do your eyes do when someone is talking? Q: What does your body do (hands, feet, whole body)? Q: Where should you generally face when someone is speaking? What Does Listening Sound Like? Q: What does it sound like when someone is listening? Q: What does it not sound like (e.g., interrupting, whispering to a friend)? Q: Why is it important to wait your turn to speak? Why is it important to listen? Q: How does it feel when someone listens to you carefully? Q: How does it feel when someone doesn't listen to you? Q: How does good listening help our group learn and get along? Facilitation Tip Encourage students to use their "listening eyes" to focus on the person speaking and wait for a "natural pause" before sharing their own thoughts.
Listening Practice CardsActive Listening Practice Cards Cut these out for the student pair-share activity! 1 Tell your partner about your favorite animal and why you like it. 2 Describe what you had for breakfast today. 3 Share your favorite thing to do outside. 4 Tell about a time you felt very happy. 5 What is one toy you really love to play with? 6 If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Listening Warm Up GuideWarm-Up Guide What Does Listening Look Like? 1 Greeting & Introduction (1 min) "Today, we're going to talk about something super important for our group: how we listen to each other!" 2 The Big Question (1 min) Ask the students: "Why do you think it's important to really listen when someone else is talking?" Allow for 1-2 quick responses. 3 Listening Behaviors (3 min) Use the Small Group Discussion Points guide to talk about what listening looks/sounds like. Eyes on Speaker Quiet Hands No Interrupting Thinking Ears
Listening Cool Down GuideCool-Down Guide Share One Way to Listen 1 Group Share (3 min) Bring the group together and ask: "Who can share one thing they did well when listening today, or one thing they want to remember for next time?" ✔ Emphasize that practicing good listening helps everyone learn and feel important. 2 Wrap-Up (2 min) Summarize the key takeaways for the students: "Great listening helps our group work together and makes everyone feel good! Let's try to do our best listening every day." Action Item: Collect Practice Cards Teacher Takeaway Reinforce that active listening isn't just about following rules—it's about showing respect and making friends feel valued.
