Ready Set Wait Lesson Plan Ready, Set, Wait!
The Secrets of Taking Turns
Grade 1st
Time
30 Minutes
Objective
Students will demonstrate how to take turns with a partner during a structured game.
Approach
Direct instruction, modeling, cooperative game, and reflection.
Why It Matters
"Taking turns is a fundamental social skill that helps students collaborate, resolve conflicts peacefully, and develop patience. It helps students participate fairly in group activities and build positive relationships with their peers."
Teacher Preparation
To-Do List
Review the lesson plan and all generated materials.
Gather blocks or building materials (e.g., LEGO, Duplo).
Print and cut the Tower Builders Game Cards .
Prepare chart paper and markers for the poster activity.
Materials Needed
• Whiteboard or projector
• The Art of Taking Turns Slide Deck
• Building blocks (large sets per pair)
• Tower Builders Game Cards
• Chart paper & thick markers
Lesson Flow
1
Warm-up & Goal Setting
5 MIN
Greet students and ask what "taking turns" means to them. Introduce the lesson objective: "Today, we're going to learn and practice how to take turns, especially when we're playing games or working with a friend!" Discuss why it matters for making friends.
Materials: Slide Deck (Slides 1-2)
2
Modeling & Practice
10 MIN
Use the slides to teach what turn-taking looks and sounds like. Model examples (passing a ball) and non-examples (grabbing). Have students practice saying "My turn, your turn!" with a partner.
Materials: Slide Deck (Slides 3-4)
3
Game: Tower Builders
12 MIN
Explain the Tower Builders game rules. Partners take turns drawing cards and adding blocks to a shared tower. Focus on patience and positive cheering. If a tower falls, they rebuild together on their turns.
Materials: Blocks, Game Cards, Teacher Guide
4
Cool Down & Review
3 MIN
Lead a closing discussion: "What was one thing you learned about taking turns today?" and "How can we use this in our classroom?"
Taking Turns Slides Ready, Set, Wait!
The Secrets of Taking Turns
😊
🤝
🎨
First Grade Social Skills
Teacher Note: Greet students and ask them what turn-taking means to them.
Why Take Turns?
🤝
Make new friends!
🎡
Keep games fun and fair!
🧘
Learn to be patient!
"It's like waiting for your favorite ride at the park – it's always worth it!"
🎢
What is it?
Waiting your turn
Sharing materials
Listening to others
Following game rules
💃
It's like a dance where everyone gets a moment to shine!
Watch Me!
1 The Good Way
Pass a ball fairly
Listen while a friend talks
Teacher models these now!
2 Your Turn!
With a partner, practice saying:
"My turn, your turn!"
Game Time!
Tower Builders Rules:
1 Work with a partner.
2 Draw a card to add blocks.
3 Wait for your turn!
GOAL:
"Build the tallest tower TOGETHER by taking turns fairly!"
🏢
⭐
Superstars!
Let's think about our turns today...
What was hard about waiting?
What felt good about sharing?
Where else can we take turns?
Tower Builders Game Guide Tower Builders
Game Guide & Teacher Reference
🏢
Objective
To build the tallest tower collaboratively with a partner by taking turns fairly.
Materials
Building blocks (LEGO, wooden, Duplo)
Tower Builders Game Cards (printed & cut)
1 Game Setup
Pair Up: Divide the class into pairs. If there is an odd number, create one group of three.
Distribute: Give each pair a pile of at least 30 blocks and a shuffled deck of game cards, face down.
2 How to Play
1
Player 1 draws the top card and reads it (or teacher reads for all).
2
Player 1 adds the blocks shown on the card to the shared tower.
3
Player 1 places the used card in a discard pile.
4
Player 2 draws the next card and continues building the same tower!
Turn-Taking Focus
Waiting: Remind students to keep hands in their laps while waiting for their turn.
Kindness: Encourage students to cheer for their partners as they build.
Teamwork: If the tower falls, emphasize that it's okay! Rebuild together on the next turn.
Patience: Some cards like "Skip a Turn" are designed to practice staying calm.
Tower Builders Game Cards Tower Builders Game Cards
Print, cut out, and shuffle for your game!
Add 1 Block
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Add 1 Block
🧱
Add 2 Blocks
🧱
🧱
Add 2 Blocks
🧱
🧱
Add 3 Blocks
🧱
🧱
🧱
Skip a Turn!
Practice patience and cheer for your partner!
🧘
Swap Turns!
Let your partner go twice in a row!
🔄
Add 1 Block
Bonus Challenge
Say something kind to your partner!
❤️
Add 2 Blocks
Bonus Challenge
Name one rule of turn-taking!
📝
Add 1 Block
Bonus Challenge
Explain why taking turns is important!
🧠
Tower Builders • 1st Grade Social Skills • Collaborative Play
Turn Taking Poster Activity Turn-Taking Poster
Collaborative Reflection Activity
Objective
Students will work together to create a classroom poster that summarizes what they learned about waiting, sharing, and playing fair.
1
Brainstorming (5 min)
Gather as a class and ask these questions to spark ideas:
"What does taking turns LOOK like?"
"What does it SOUND like?"
"Why is it important?"
"What are our new rules?"
2
Creating (10 min)
Divide the class into small groups (3-4 students). Each group works on one section of the large chart paper.
The Rule for the Poster Activity:
Students must take turns using the markers and deciding what to draw/write!
3
Sharing & Display (3 min)
Each group briefly shares their contribution. Hang the poster in a prominent place in the classroom to serve as a visual anchor for future turn-taking moments.
Classroom Brainstorming Space (Teacher Notes)