Cheer Squad Lesson Plan Cheer Squad
Master Lesson Plan
8 Sessions 45 Mins Each Tier 1 Program
Program Objective
Over eight 45-minute sessions, students will learn foundational cheerleading techniques, practice positive communication, and develop leadership skills through interactive drills, group activities, and reflective discussions.
Prep
• Print handouts & prompt cards
• Gather pom-poms & timer
• Set up clear activity zones
• Review motions & prompts
SESSIONS 1 – 4
S1
Introduction & Team Building
Build coordination and verbal positivity.
Warm-Up & Greetings (5m)
Stance & Voice Projection (10m)
Call-and-Response Drills (15m)
Positive Feedback Loop (10m)
S2
Basic Cheer Motions
Precision in High V and Low V movements.
Dynamic Arm Warm-Up (5m)
High V & Low V Modeling (10m)
Partner Lead-Follow Drill (15m)
Observation Practice (10m)
S3
Chanting & Rhythm
Understanding chant structure and beat.
4-Beat Count Warm-Up (5m)
Chant Structure Intro (10m)
Group Chant Creation (15m)
Class Presentation (10m)
S4
Formations & Spacing
Spatial awareness and group visuals.
Cheer Squad
Master Lesson Plan
SESSIONS 5 – 8
S5
Voice Projection & Expression
Performance energy and vocal clarity.
Vocal Sirens Warm-Up (5m)
Diaphragm Support (10m)
Exaggerated Expression (15m)
Peer Energy Feedback (10m)
S6
Leadership Roles & Rotation
Rotating responsibilities within the team.
S7
Routine Creation
Combining skills into a 30-second routine.
Favorite Motion Recall (5m)
Routine Blueprinting (10m)
Group Rehearsals (15m)
Constructive Peer Review (10m)
S8
Performance & Reflection
Final performance and growth celebration.
Required Materials
Pom-Poms
Stopwatch
Skills Handout
Prompt Cards
Reflection Sheets
Certificates
MTSS Tier 1 Focus
Focus on universal supports: clear visual modeling, consistent routines, peer mentorship, and descriptive praise for social-emotional growth alongside physical skills.
Cheer Squad Script Cheer Squad
Instructional Script
Session 1
Intro & Team Building
Warm-Up (5 min)
"Alright, friends, let's form a big circle in the center of our space. Amazing! Today we’re starting our very first cheer session. To get our bodies ready, we’re going to do some light stretches together. Ready? Reach your arms up to the sky as high as you can. Breathe in… and now let it out."
Teach (10 min)
"Now on your mats or spots, look at me and my Cheer Basics Handout. Do you see the picture of our cheer stance? Let me show you."
Demonstrate: feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, back straight, hands on hips.
"Watch closely: feet stay planted, knees soft, chest proud. I’m going to say three, two, one—when I say ‘Go,’ you show me your best cheer stance. Ready? Three, two, one… Go!"
Activity (15 min)
"Time for a call-and-response cheer. I’ll be the caller first. When I say ‘Go Team!’, you shout back ‘Go Team!’ and clap the rhythm. Let’s try it together: Go Team! … Go Team! *clap clap*. You’ve got it! Now, I'm pairing you up. Partner A will be the caller, Partner B will respond."
Session 2
Basic Cheer Motions
Teach (10 min)
"Today we’re learning two motions: the High V and the Low V. Watch me first. For High V, lift your arms above your head to form a big 'V' shape. For Low V, lift them diagonally down by your hips."
"Let’s practice High V together three times. One, two, three—High V! Again, two and three—High V! Great! Now Low V: One, two, three—Low V! Perfect!"
Discussion (10 min)
"Turn to your partner and use one of our Positive Communication Prompt Cards to share two things you did well. Begin with ‘I noticed…’ and end with ‘That looked great!’"
Cheer Squad
Instructional Script
Session 3
Chanting & Rhythm
Teach (10 min)
"A chant has three parts: intro, verse, and refrain. I’ll say an example: ‘Hey team, fight hard!’ is our intro. ‘We are strong, we are bold!’ is the verse. ‘Go, fight, win!’ is the refrain. Watch me put them together."
Demonstrate full chant with high energy.
Activity (15 min)
"In groups of four, use paper and pencils to write your own four-line chant. Follow the structure: one intro line, two verse lines, and one refrain. I’ll come around to help!"
Session 4
Formations & Spacing
Teach (10 min)
"Formations help us look organized. Today we learn three shapes: a straight line, an arc, and a stagger. Watch me demonstrate each on the floor."
Discussion (10 min)
Squad Activity Guide Squad Activities
At-A-Glance Guide
Quick reference for main physical drills and group tasks for each session.
Session 1 Intro
Physical Drills
Dynamic stretches & greeting
Call-and-response "Go Team!"
Discussion
Give one compliment on partner's stance or voice projection.
Session 2 Motions
Physical Drills
High V and Low V practice
Lead/Follow partner swap
Discussion
Share two positive observations (e.g., "I noticed...").
Session 3 Chant
Physical Drills
4-beat rhythmic clapping
Small-group chant creation
Discussion
Peer presentations with two-strength feedback cards.
Session 4 Spacing
Physical Drills
Agility ladder/tape drills
Line, Arc, Stagger formations
Discussion
Reflect on how communication improved spacing.
Session 5 Voice
Physical Drills
Vocal sirens & twisters
Exaggerated expression practice
Discussion
Team feedback on energy ("I loved when you...").
Session 6 Roles
Physical Drills
Cheer-pose tag game
3-min role rotation drills
Discussion
Identify favorite role and explain why.
Session 7 Routine
Physical Drills
Favorite motion review
30-second routine design
Discussion
Peer review: one love and one suggestion.
Session 8 Finale
Physical Drills
Final routine performance
Group circle cheer warm-up
Discussion
Personal growth reflection & future application.
Energy Transitions Guide Energy Balance
Warm-Ups & Cool-Downs
Ref. Sheet
WARM-UPS
Session 1 & 2
"Focus on full body and large joints."
Dynamic reach & swing stretches (2m)
Group circle high-five greeting (3m)
High knees & arm circles (2m)
Hip & shoulder rolls (3 reps) (3m)
Session 3 & 4
"Rhythm and agility focus."
Steady 4-beat hand claps (1m)
Wrist & finger shakes (1m)
Floor-tape agility steps (2m)
Ankle & calf rolls (1m)
Session 5 & 6
"Vocal and play-based focus."
Vocal sirens (low to high) (1m)
Tongue twister repeats (1m)
Freeze-Tag Cheer Pose game (3m)
Quick jumping jacks (1m)
Session 7 & 8
"Routine readiness."
Motion recall (V's & claps) (2m)
Dynamic toe touches & knees (2m)
Circle Cheer: "Go Team..." (2m)
Full body shake-out (1m)
COOL-DOWNS
Session 1 & 2
"Breathing and teammate connection."
3 deep nose-to-mouth breaths
High-fives for positive energy
Arm swings & quad stretches (30s)
Gentle calf stretch (30s)
Session 3 & 4
"Releasing neck and legs."
Slow neck circles (3 per side)
Shoulder shrugs & rolls (5 reps)
Wall/Partner calf stretch (30s)
Seated toe reach (30s)
Session 5 & 6
"Mindfulness and breath control."
Box breath (4-2-6 count) (3 reps)
Behind-back chest opener (3 reps)
Closed-eye guided stillness (3 breaths)
Neck/Shoulder tension release
Session 7 & 8
"Final group unity."
Partner side-sway stretch (5 reps)
Seated forward fold (30s)
Slow pace "Soft Circle Cheer"
Final raise-and-lower breaths
Coachs Discussion Guide Positive Talk
Leadership Discussion Guide
Discussion Goals
• Foster respectful atmosphere
• Build observation skills
• Growth mindset language
Facilitation Tips
Model using a prompt card yourself before having students start. Review norms each session: listen fully, speak kindly, stay on topic. Celebrate the "yet" – focus on effort over perfection.
S1: Complimenting Stance & Projection 10 Mins
Activity
Give one compliment about your partner’s cheer stance or voice projection using prompt cards.
Debrief Questions
"What did it feel like to give/receive positive feedback?"
"Why is praising effort important when learning a new skill?"
S2: Observing Cheer Motions 10 Mins
Activity
Share two things you did well today (one about High V, one about Low V).
Debrief Questions
"Which motion did you feel more confident performing?"
"How can that confidence help in future practice?"
S3: Chant Presentations 10 Mins
Activity
After presentations, classmates note two strengths: "I noticed your rhythm was..." or "Your energy was..."
Debrief Questions
"Which chant element was the most effective?"
"How did positive feedback help the group presenting?"
Positive Talk
Leadership Discussion Guide
S4: Spacing & Communication 10 Mins
Activity
Record how group communication improved spacing on Reflection Sheet.
Debrief Questions
"Why is clear communication important in a formation?"
S5: Energy & Projection Feedback 10 Mins
Activity
Teams of three share: "I loved when you..." and "Next time, you could..."
Debrief Questions
"How did feedback on energy help improve your cheer?"
"Which feedback will you focus on next time?"
S6: Leadership Role Insights 10 Mins
Activity
Complete: "Which role did I enjoy most and why?" and share in small groups.
Debrief Questions
"How did rotating roles help you understand teamwork?"
S7: Routine Feedback 10 Mins
Activity
After each routine, share one thing you loved and one suggestion.
Debrief Questions
"Which suggestion was most helpful?"
"How will you apply that suggestion in future routines?"
Cheer Basics Handout The Basics
Squad Skills Handout
Student Copy
1 Cheer Stance
Feet shoulder-width apart
Knees slightly bent (soft)
Back straight & chest proud
Hands firm on hips
2 Big "V" Motions
V
High V
Arms high and wide
V
Low V
Arms low and wide
3 Project Your Voice
The Golden Rules
Diaphragm Power
Speak from your belly, not your throat!
Expression
Use your face and energy to show excitement.
4 Chant Blueprint
Part 1 INTRO "Hey team!"
Part 2 VERSE "We are strong..."
Part 3 REFRAIN "Go, Fight, Win!"
Performance Tip
Eye contact + Big Smiles = Champion Energy!
Positive Talk Prompt Cards Positive Communication Cards
Cut these out and use them during your partner and group discussions!
Observed
Sentence Starter:
"I noticed that your ____________ looked great!"
Praise
Sentence Starter:
"I loved when you projected your voice by _________!"
Strength
Sentence Starter:
"One big strength of your routine was ____________!"
Growth
Sentence Starter:
"Next time, you could try to ________ to be even better!"
Energy
Sentence Starter:
"The energy you brought to the ____________ was awesome!"
Teamwork
Sentence Starter:
"I liked how our group communicated during ____________!"
Cut along lines
Leadership Reflection Sheet Leadership Log
My Cheer to Lead Reflection
Name: ____________________
Date: ____________________
S4 Formations & Spacing
How did our group communicate to keep our spacing clear?
Write or draw your answer above.
S6 Leadership Roles
Which role did I enjoy the most?
Caller Foot-Placer Formation Leader
Why was that your favorite?
Think about the skills you used.
S8 Final Performance & Growth
My biggest growth during these 8 sessions was...
I will use these leadership skills in the future by...
Leadership Through Cheer • Cheer to Lead
