Lesson Plan

Introduction to Following Instructions

Guide students to practice listening and following verbal directions through a Simon Says warm-up and a collaborative building challenge, aiming to boost attention to detail, teamwork, and turn-taking.

Strong listening and instruction-following skills help students navigate classroom routines accurately. Collaborative tasks reinforce respectful communication, confidence in giving and receiving directions, and shared problem-solving.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Objectives

2 minutes

Step 2

Simon Says Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 3

Explain Building Challenge

3 minutes

Step 4

Cooperative Building Challenge

15 minutes

Step 5

Reflection & Clean-Up

5 minutes

Lesson Plan

Step by Step Wins Lesson Plan

In this five-session series, 7th graders will build confidence by practicing attentive listening, turn-taking, permission-seeking, and task sequencing to work collaboratively toward clear goals.

These foundational skills—following instructions, speaking respectfully, collaborating, and breaking tasks into steps—boost classroom engagement, mutual respect, and real-world problem-solving abilities.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Step 1

Series Overview

5 minutes

Step 2

Session 1: Following Instructions

30 minutes

Step 3

Session 2: Taking Turns to Talk

30 minutes

Step 4

Session 3: Speaking with Permission

30 minutes

Step 5

Session 4: Sequencing Tasks

30 minutes

Step 6

Session 5: Culminating Collaboration

30 minutes

Slide Deck

Step by Step Wins

Welcome educators! Use this title slide to introduce the series name and hook students by explaining that over five fun challenges they’ll learn key teamwork skills.

Series Overview

Briefly review the five skills and explain the common structure (warm-up, main activity, reflection). Invite student questions and set expectations for respectful participation.

Session 1: Following Instructions

Emphasize clarity in giving instructions and praise groups that follow steps exactly. Circulate to keep turns moving and monitor time.

Session 2: Taking Turns to Talk

Highlight the link between waiting one’s turn in games and in conversation. Encourage eye contact and clear voice.

Session 3: Speaking with Permission

Model asking permission and passing the talking stick. Remind students to respect the visual cue before speaking.

Session 4: Sequencing Tasks

Show how clear sequencing prevents confusion. Encourage leaders to speak slowly and builders to ask clarifying questions.

Session 5: Culminating Collaboration

Celebrate student growth and reinforce how each skill played a part in success. Encourage them to set a new personal goal.

Lesson Plan

Introduction to Following Instructions

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Introduction & Objectives

Step 2

Simon Says Warm-Up

Step 3

Explain Building Challenge

Step 4

Cooperative Building Challenge

Step 5

Reflection & Clean-Up

Lesson Plan

Step by Step Wins Lesson Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Step 1

Series Overview

Step 2

Session 1: Following Instructions

Step 3

Session 2: Taking Turns to Talk

Step 4

Session 3: Speaking with Permission

Step 5

Session 4: Sequencing Tasks

Step 6

Session 5: Culminating Collaboration

Slide Deck

Step by Step Wins

Series Overview

Session 1: Following Instructions

Session 2: Taking Turns to Talk

Session 3: Speaking with Permission

Session 4: Sequencing Tasks

Session 5: Culminating Collaboration

Worksheet

Worksheet

Worksheet

Worksheet

Worksheet

Worksheet

Worksheet

Activity

Steps to Success

Naty Piperno