Lesson Plan

Listening Skills Plan

Coach a 1st grader to practice active listening—making eye contact, nodding, and asking questions—through guided role-play and a fun bingo game.

Building listening skills early strengthens classroom connections, fosters respectful interactions, and lays groundwork for academic and social success.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Goal

2 minutes

Step 2

Model & Scripted Practice

4 minutes

Step 3

Student-Led Role-Play

4 minutes

Step 4

Listening Bingo Game

4 minutes

Step 5

Feedback & Reflection

1 minute

Slide Deck

Welcome to Smile & Listen

Welcome the student and introduce the session. Say: “Today we’re going to learn how to be great listeners by using our eyes, head, and questions!”

Good Listener vs. Poor Listener

Explain the two columns: “Notice how the good listener looks at the speaker, nods, and asks questions. The other student is distracted and looking away.”

Eye Contact

Point to the eyes icon. Prompt: “What do you see? Yes—eyes on speaker. That shows you’re paying attention!”

Nod Your Head

Demonstrate a slow nod. Ask student to copy. Then say: “Great job nodding. Nods tell the speaker you understand!”

Ask a Question

Show the question mark. Encourage the student: “After someone speaks, ask one question about what you heard.”

Let’s Practice Listening

Introduce the role-play: “Now I will read a short story. Watch me, then you’ll repeat one detail.” Cue the Teacher-Student Role-Play Script.

Listening Bingo

Display a sample bingo card on your own device. Explain: “We’ll play Listening Bingo. Mark behaviors as you do them.”

Feedback & Reflection

Ask the reflection questions: “What did you do well? What will you try next time?” Praise one strength and set a small goal.

Lesson Plan

Listening Skills Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

Step 1

Introduction & Goal

Step 2

Model & Scripted Practice

Step 3

Student-Led Role-Play

Step 4

Listening Bingo Game

Step 5

Feedback & Reflection

Slide Deck

Welcome to Smile & Listen

Good Listener vs. Poor Listener

Eye Contact

Nod Your Head

Ask a Question

Let’s Practice Listening

Listening Bingo

Feedback & Reflection

Script

Activity

Smile and Listen

hannah.richardson