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Cafeteria Champions

Lesson Plan

Cafeteria Champions Lesson Plan

Students will learn and practice three essential cafeteria rules—walking feet, indoor voices, and cleaning up—explain why they’re important, and demonstrate one through a quick role-play.

Reinforces school expectations, promotes a safe and respectful lunch environment, reduces behavior issues, and builds students’ social responsibility and positive habits.

Audience

5th Grade Students

Time

10 minutes

Approach

Slides and role-play.

Materials

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

  • Open and preview the Cafeteria Champions Slide Deck.
  • Familiarize yourself with the three key rules and discussion prompts.
  • Prepare to assign quick role-play pairs and monitor time closely.

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

  • Greet students and explain: “Today we’re going to be Cafeteria Champions by learning our lunchtime rules.”
  • Ask: “Why do we have rules in the cafeteria?”
  • Solicit 2–3 student ideas and affirm their responses.

Step 2

Present Rules

4 minutes

  • Display slide for each rule on the Cafeteria Champions Slide Deck:
    • Walking Feet: Demonstrate moving safely in line.
    • Indoor Voices: Define volume level and model an example.
    • Cleaning Up: Show clearing tray and tidying area.
  • After each slide, ask one or two students to restate the rule.

Step 3

Role-Play Practice

3 minutes

  • Quickly pair students and assign each pair one rule.
  • Instruct pairs to role-play both incorrect and correct scenarios for their rule (about 1 minute each).
  • Circulate to observe and provide immediate feedback.

Step 4

Wrap-Up

1 minute

  • Ask one volunteer per rule to demonstrate the correct behavior for the class.
  • Reinforce: “Great job—remember these rules every lunchtime!”
  • Praise students for participation and transition to lunch area.
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Slide Deck

Cafeteria Champions: Lunchtime Rules

In this lesson, we’ll learn and practice three essential cafeteria rules:

• Walking Feet
• Indoor Voices
• Cleaning Up

By the end, you’ll be ready to be true Cafeteria Champions!

Welcome students warmly. Say: “Good morning, Cafeteria Champions! Today we’re going to learn our three important lunchtime rules so we can all stay safe and respectful.” Point out the slide’s title and briefly preview the three rules. Then transition: “Let’s see our first rule.”

Rule 1: Walking Feet

• Always walk (don’t run) in the cafeteria line.
• Keep your hands by your sides.
• Watch where you’re going to avoid bumping into friends.

Explain why walking keeps everyone safe. Model walking in place slowly. Ask a volunteer to demonstrate a walking foot vs. running or skipping. Reinforce: “Great job showing walking feet!”

Rule 2: Indoor Voices

• Use a quiet, respectful volume when talking.
• Think of your voice as a soft conversation—not a shout.
• This helps us hear each other and keeps noise down.

Define “indoor voice” (level 2 on the volume scale). Whisper “too quiet,” shout “too loud,” then speak at a normal conversational volume. Invite a student to model an indoor voice.

Rule 3: Cleaning Up

• When you finish eating, clear your tray.
• Throw away trash and recyclables properly.
• Push in your chair and leave your area tidy.

Show a tray with trash and food items. Demonstrate clearing it into the garbage and returning trays. Ask: “Why do we clean up after ourselves?” Reinforce responses.

Let’s Be Cafeteria Champions!

Remember to:

  1. Walk safely
  2. Use indoor voices
  3. Clean up your space

Now, turn to a partner, choose one rule, and role-play a “wrong” vs. “right” example!

Wrap up the lesson by summarizing all three rules. Explain the quick role-play activity: pairs will act out a wrong vs. right scenario. Provide feedback as pairs perform. End with praise and reminder.

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