Lighthouse Keeper Teacher Guide Pre-K – 1st Grade SEL & Executive Function
Listening Lighthouse Teacher Guide
Duration: 30–35 Mins
Skill: Auditory Impulse Control
Auditory Focus
Isolate specific sound signals (bell, clap, triangle) amidst ambient classroom sounds.
Impulse Control
Practice motor inhibition: "Freeze like a Lighthouse Tower" immediately when the cue sounds.
Whole-Body Listening
Engage eyes, ears, mouth, body, and heart into an active, ready listening posture.
The Lighthouse Body Anchor (Visual & Physical Chant)
Call & Response Technique
Lighthouse Beam
Eyes looking at speaker
Foghorn Ears
Listening for sea cues
Calm Harbor
Mouth closed, voice resting
Anchored Base
Hands still, feet grounded
Keeper's Heart
Caring and respectful
Lesson Arc & Pacing Flow
Phase 1 (5m)
The Lighthouse Call (Hook & Body Warm-Up)
Dim lights slightly or turn on a battery flashlight/lamp. Explain: "In a foggy storm, sailors cannot see rocks—they depend on the Keeper's sharp ears and steady light!" Teach the 5-point body anchor posture.
Phase 2 (10m)
Signal Training: Sound Discrimination Drill
Introduce 3 auditory cues using a chime, triangle, or hand claps: 1 Chime = March like gentle waves ; 2 Chimes = Freeze like stone lighthouse ; Chime Ringout = Gentle harbor breath . Practice in seated/standing spots.
Phase 3 (12m)
Foghorn Frenzy Game (Impulse Inhibition Challenge)
Students move in designated safe space. The teacher introduces distraction sounds ("distractor waves") while learners must ONLY react to the target lighthouse cue. Build excitement while maintaining self-regulation.
Phase 4 (5m)
Calm Harbor Reflection & Keeper Badge
Learners transition to quiet seats. Complete the Lighthouse Listening Worksheet, identifying whole-body listening anchors and stamping/coloring their official Lighthouse Keeper badge.
The Listening Lighthouse • Instructional Guide Page 1 of 2
Facilitation Tools & Prompts
Game Scripts & Behavioral Coaching
Classroom Management
Verbatim Teacher Scripts & Prompting
Script A: Launching the Story
"Lighthouse Keepers! The sea fog is rolling into our room. The captain on the ship cannot see the rocky shore with their eyes. What must we use to keep the ship safe? Our sharp, super-powered ears!"
Script B: Impulse Control Reset (When learners get overstimulated)
"Lighthouse storm alert! 3-2-1... Drop your heavy anchors! Feet flat, hands on hips, eyes shining bright on the lighthouse tower. Feel your calm ocean breath in... and out."
Script C: The Auditory Trick Cue (Reflex vs. Thought)
"Listen carefully! I am holding the tambourine and the chime. Your feet only move for the silver chime. If you hear the tambourine... what do you do? Freeze! Don't let the sneaky waves trick your feet!"
Differentiation Tiers
Pre-K / Early Learners: Use dual-modality cues (sound chime + hold up visual signal card). Limit to two distinct signals: "Sail" (move) and "Anchor" (freeze).
Kindergarten: Audio-only cues without visual prompts. Introduce 3 distinct tempos (slow waves, medium tide, storm sprint).
1st Grade Extension: Inverted rule game ("Opposites at Sea"): High chime means crouch low; low drum means reach high. Builds cognitive flexibility.
Materials & Classroom Setup
Acoustic Instruments: Triangle, hand bell, woodblock, or rainstick.
Movement Space: Circular rug perimeter with designated anchor spots.
Lighthouse Signal Cards: Printed & laminated game prompt cards.
Keeper Badges: Student practice sheets and gold crayons/stickers.
Quick Observational Assessment Rubric
Target Skill Emerging (1) Developing (2) Proficient Keeper (3) Motor Inhibition Requires 2+ verbal reminders to freeze after cue. Freezes within 2 seconds of hearing chime. Instant stone freeze upon cue; models for peers. Sound Filtering Easily misled by distractor sounds (claps/stamps). Hesitates briefly but catches self on distractors. Ignores distractor sounds completely; holds anchor. Whole-Body Stance Shows 1-2 elements of whole-body anchor. Demonstrates 3-4 elements with peer prompting. Demonstrates all 5 anchor cues independently.
The Listening Lighthouse • Instructional Guide Page 2 of 2
Listening Lighthouse Slides Pre-K • Kindergarten • 1st Grade
Auditory Focus Academy
The Listening Lighthouse
Thick fog is rolling into harbor! Can your super ears guide the lost ships safely home?
Turn on your lighthouse ears! Lighthouse Keeper Training
Training Step 1
Whole-Body Lighthouse Anchor
5 Harbor Checks
Eyes
Bright beam on the speaker
Ears
Listening for sea cues
Mouth
Quiet like calm waters
Body
Anchored and still
Heart
Ready to guide our team
Chant together: "Eyes shine bright, ears hear the chime, calm like harbor every time!"
Training Step 2
The 3 Secret Sound Signals
Sound Detection
1 CHIME
Sail the Ships
Gentle, safe walking waves around our circle.
Action: Smooth Gentle Walking
2 CHIMES
Lighthouse Freeze
Instantly stand like a tall stone tower. Total stillness!
Action: Instant Stone Freeze
LONG RING
Harbor Breath
Hands on heart. Slow ocean breath in through nose, out mouth.
Action: Deep Calming Reset
Remember: Do not move until you hear the real chime sound!
Training Step 3
The Foghorn Freeze Challenge!
Impulse Control Test
Watch Out for Sneaky Waves!
The teacher might clap hands, tap feet, or whisper silly words.
The Golden Rule:
Only move when you hear the CHIME!
Stop & Think
Wait 1 second before moving. Was that the chime?
Hold Your Anchor
If your friend moves by mistake, you stay frozen!
Save the Fleet
Every frozen lighthouse protects the harbor.
Ready to test your focus muscles? Game Round Begins in 3... 2... 1!
Mission Complete
Harbor Ships Are Safe!
Official Lighthouse Keepers!
You used your whole body, stopped impulse reactions, and listened with sharp ears.
100%
Harbor Focus
Rock Solid
Tower Freezes
Calm Team
Whole-Body Listeners
Next Activity: Complete Your Keeper Practice Worksheet Great Job, Keepers!
Lighthouse Signal Game Cards Print & Cut Game Kit
Lighthouse Signal Game Cards
6 Action Cue Cards
Cut along dashed lines
Game Rules: Teacher or student leader plays the acoustic sound cue. Players quickly match the movement action. When the Sneaky Wave distractor sounds, players must completely freeze!
Cue 1 Sound: 1 Single Chime
SAIL THE SHIP
March Gently in the Circle
Walk with soft ocean feet. Keep safe space between boats!
Cue 2 Sound: 2 Quick Chimes
LIGHTHOUSE FREEZE
Freeze Like a Stone Tower!
Stand tall and still. Hands flat, eyes looking forward.
Cue 3 Sound: Long Ringing Chime
HARBOR BREATH
Breathe & Reset
Hand on heart. Inhale calm ocean air, exhale soft breeze.
Cue 4 Sound: Triangle Tink
SEAGULL GLIDE
Tiptoe Wing Balance
Arms stretch out like wide wings. Tiptoe gently without sound!
Cue 5 Sound: Drum Thump / Tap
ANCHOR DROP
Crouch Down to the Dock
Crouch low like a heavy iron anchor. Stay quiet and sturdy.
TRICK CUE Sound: Hand Claps / Stamp
SNEAKY WAVE!
DO NOT MOVE! HOLD FAST!
Distractor sound! If you move, the sneaky wave caught you!
The Listening Lighthouse • Game Card Deck Page 1 of 2
Station Mats & Caller Tokens
Harbor Zones & Sound Tokens
Small Group Stations
Cut & Place in Room Corners
4 Harbor Zone Corner Signs (Tape in 4 Classroom Corners)
Spatial navigation game
1
Station A
Pelican Pier
Sail here on: Single Chime
2
Station B
Dolphin Bay
Sail here on: Triangle Tink
3
Station C
Coral Reef
Sail here on: Woodblock Tap
4
Station D
Starfish Shore
Sail here on: Drum Thump
Secret Sound Selector Tokens (Draw from cup or flip over)
6 Cut-Out Circular Tokens
1 Bell Sail
2 Bells Freeze
Triangle Glide
Drum Crouch
Ringout Breath
Trap Clap Freeze!
Listening Lighthouse Practice Worksheet Junior Keeper Activity
My Listening Lighthouse
Name:
Date:
A good Lighthouse Keeper uses their whole body to guide ships through the sea fog!
Part 1: Whole-Body Lighthouse Anchors (Color each circle when you practice it!)
5 Anchors
Eyes
Looking at speaker
Ears
Listening for chime
Mouth
Quiet calm sea
Body
Anchored still
Heart
Ready to help crew
Part 2: Sound Detective (Circle the matching picture for each question)
1. When the lighthouse sounds 1 Chime , what should our feet do?
Gentle Walking Waves
Fast Running Sprint
Lie Down Sleeping
2. When the lighthouse sounds 2 Chimes , what should our body do?
Dance & Sing Aloud
Freeze Like Stone Tower
Spin in a Circle
3. Uh-oh! A Sneaky Clap sounded! What is the Keeper rule?
Stay Still! It's a Trap!
Clap Hands Back Loud
Run to Another Spot
The Listening Lighthouse • Student Practice Page 1 of 2
Reflection & Certificate
Harbor Log & Keeper Badge
Part 3: Draw Your Safe Harbor
Draw your ship guided by the warm lighthouse beam!
Calm harbor water
Lighthouse beam
Part 4: Keeper Self-Check (Color the smileys that match you today!)
1. I listened with my foghorn ears:
2. I froze like a strong stone lighthouse:
3. I took slow, calm harbor breaths:
Official Lighthouse Keeper Award
This certifies that Keeper has mastered Whole-Body Listening and safe harbor impulse control!
Harbor Chief Signature:
STAMP
The Listening Lighthouse • Harbor Log & Certificate Page 2 of 2