Mission Control Lesson Plan WH Mission Control
Teacher Lesson Plan
Grade Level 3rd Grade
Duration
30 Minutes
Target Group
Tier 2 (Small Group)
Skill Focus
Listening & WH-Questions
Mission Objective
"Students will practice following two-step directions, maintaining focus, and accurately answering WH questions (who, what, where, when, why, how) through interactive and hands-on group activities."
The "Why"
Building sequential listening skills and WH-question comprehension supports reading understanding, task completion, and effective communication—key pillars for 3rd-grade academic and social success.
Mission Prep
Review Slides and Warm-Up Discussion Guide.
Print and cut Scavenger Hunt Cards.
Make copies of Worksheet and Exit Ticket.
Arrange seating and clear floor space for movement.
Prepare timer and pencils.
Mission Timeline
5m
Phase 1: Launch (Warm-Up)
Materials: Slides, Warm-Up Guide
Display the Warm-Up Slides and follow the Warm-Up Discussion Guide .
Model and have students follow two-step directions (e.g., “Touch your ear, then raise your hand”).
Ask a WH question about each action (e.g., “What did you touch?”).
Invite oral responses; use thumbs-up/down to check understanding.
15m
Phase 2: Space Walk (Scavenger Hunt)
Materials: Hunt Cards, Response Worksheet
Spread Scavenger Hunt Cards around the room.
In pairs, students follow the 2-step directions, then answer the WH question on the back.
Record findings in Part A of the Response Worksheet .
Circulate to prompt on-task behavior and offer sentence starters.
8m
Phase 3: Mission Log (Practice)
Materials: Response Worksheet (Part B)
Students read sentences and answer independent WH questions in Part B.
Provide visual supports or sentence frames for learners needing extra help.
Offer immediate feedback and guide self-correction.
2m
Phase 4: Re-Entry (Wrap-Up)
Materials: Exit Ticket
Reconvene and share 1–2 successful responses.
Reinforce strategies: reread, ask for help, use visuals.
Complete the Exit Ticket for reflection.
Mission Control Slides Mission Protocol Initialized
WH Mission Control
Following Directions & Answering Questions
SYSTEM STATUS: ACTIVE COORDINATES: 3RD GRADE GROUP SESSION: 01
Mission Briefing
Today we will practice following 2-step directions.
Then, you will answer a WH question about the action you just did!
Explain that students will follow directions and answer a WH question. Model one example.
Command #01
LEVEL 1
The Sequence:
1
Touch your ear...
2
...then raise your hand.
WH Question: What did you touch?
Demonstrate the actions. Ask the group for an oral response.
Command #02
LEVEL 2
The Sequence:
1
Jump on one foot...
2
...then spin around.
WH Question: What did you spin?
Call on volunteers to answer. Remind them to think of the steps in order.
Command #03
LEVEL 3
The Sequence:
1
Point to the ceiling...
2
...then sit down.
WH Question: What did you point to?
Listen carefully to BOTH steps before moving. Use visual cues if needed.
Commander's Turn
Create your own 2-step direction and ask a WH question.
Take turns leading and answering with your partner.
Circulate and support partners. Encourage creativity!
Scavenger Hunt Cards Scavenger Hunt Cards
WH Mission Control Activity
Mission Card 01
Step 1: The Sequence
Clap your hands twice, then touch your nose.
Step 2: WH Question
What did you touch?
Mission Card 02
Step 1: The Sequence
Turn around, then wave your hand.
Step 2: WH Question
What did you wave?
Mission Card 03
Step 1: The Sequence
Pat your knees, then blink your eyes.
Step 2: WH Question
What did you blink?
Mission Card 04
Step 1: The Sequence
Stamp your feet, then snap your fingers.
Step 2: WH Question
What did you snap?
Mission Card 05
Step 1: The Sequence
Reach down to the floor, then point to the ceiling.
Step 2: WH Question
What did you point to?
Mission Card 06
Step 1: The Sequence
Spin in a circle, then march in place.
Step 2: WH Question
What did you spin?
Mission Card 07
Step 1: The Sequence
Touch your toes, then shrug your shoulders.
Step 2: WH Question
What did you shrug?
Mission Card 08
Step 1: The Sequence
Wiggle your hips, then tap your shoulders.
Step 2: WH Question
What did you tap?
Mission Card 09
Step 1: The Sequence
Rub your tummy, then lift one leg.
Step 2: WH Question
What did you rub?
Mission Card 10
Step 1: The Sequence
Yawn loudly, then laugh softly.
Step 2: WH Question
How did you laugh?
Mission Response Worksheet Mission Log
WH Question Response Worksheet
ASTRONAUT:
MISSION DATE:
Part A: Scavenger Hunt Recording
Follow the directions on your Mission Cards, then record your data below.
1 Mission Card #______
Step 1 Action
Step 2 Action
WH Question Answer
2 Mission Card #______
Step 1 Action
Step 2 Action
WH Question Answer
3 Mission Card #______
Step 1 Action
Step 2 Action
WH Question Answer
4 Mission Card #______
Step 1 Action
Step 2 Action
WH Question Answer
Part B: Independent Practice
Read each sentence and answer the mission question below.
COMMAND 01
"Maria baked cookies for her classmates at school."
Who baked cookies?
COMMAND 02
"The dog chased the ball into the backyard."
Where did the dog chase the ball?
COMMAND 03
"They will visit the museum on Friday."
When will they visit the museum?
COMMAND 04
"James gave his sister a birthday gift."
What did James give his sister?
Mission Warm-Up Guide Mission Comms
Warm-Up Discussion Guide
3m
Objective
Activate listening skills and prime students to answer WH questions aloud before starting the mission.
Mission Brief
Explain that today’s warm-up will be a quick oral Q&A. Tell students to listen carefully to the first word of every question to know what kind of answer is needed.
The Q&A Sequence
WHO
Prompt:
"Who is wearing sneakers today?"
WHAT
Prompt:
"What is your favorite fruit?"
WHERE
Prompt:
"Where do we keep our backpacks in the classroom?"
WHEN
Prompt:
"When do we read silently during our school day?"
WHY
Prompt:
"Why do we wash our hands before lunch?"
HOW
Prompt:
"How do you raise your hand to speak?"
Facilitation Tip
Pause for choral (all-class) responses first, then select individual volunteers. Provide positive feedback and model restating answers in full sentences (e.g., “I wash my hands before lunch to stay healthy.”).
Mission Exit Ticket Mission Exit Ticket
Status: Re-Entry Complete
Astronaut
Date
1 Which strategy helped you follow the two-step directions today?
Example: Re-read the card, asked a partner, used a visual cue.
2 Write one WH question you answered today and your answer.
Question (Q)
Answer (A)
3 How well did you stay focused today? (Circle one)
Low Focus
1
2
3
4
5
High Focus
Ready for Next Mission
