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lenny

Direction Detectives

Felicia

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Direction Detectives Lesson Plan

Students will enhance active listening by accurately following multi-step oral directions and reflecting on effective strategies for comprehension.

Building strong listening skills and routines in morning meetings boosts focus, classroom cohesion, and prepares students for complex instructions across subjects.

Audience

7th Grade Middle School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive games paired with guided reflection

Materials

  • Direction Cards Set, * Reflection Worksheet, * Timer or Stopwatch, * Whiteboard and Markers, and * Reward Stickers or Tokens

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Print and cut out the Direction Cards Set.
  • Make copies of the Reflection Worksheet.
  • Arrange desks or seating for paired activities.
  • Place whiteboard and markers at the front of the room.
  • Have timer or stopwatch and reward stickers ready.

Step 1

Introduction and Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Greet students and explain the goal: sharpening listening skills by following directions precisely.
  • Model a simple multi-step instruction (e.g., stand up, turn right, clap twice).
  • Ask students to reflect on why listening carefully matters.

Step 2

Quick Directions Game

10 minutes

  • Divide students into pairs: one gives directions, the other follows.
  • Distribute three random cards from the Direction Cards Set to each "detective".
  • Each giver reads their three-step instruction aloud while the partner follows.
  • Rotate roles so each student gives and follows directions once.
  • Use the timer to limit each turn to 1 minute. Reward correct completions with stickers.

Step 3

Simon Says Challenge

5 minutes

  • Play a brief round of Simon Says focusing on 2–3 step commands.
  • Emphasize listening for the cue "Simon says" and executing each step in order.
  • Call out a mix of easy and challenging sequences to keep engagement high.

Step 4

Reflection and Debrief

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Reflection Worksheet.
  • Prompt students to write one strategy that helped them follow directions and one challenge they faced.
  • Invite volunteers to share insights and discuss tips for better listening.

Step 5

Closure and Transition

5 minutes

  • Summarize key takeaways: focus, repetition, asking clarifying questions.
  • Encourage students to apply these strategies throughout the day.
  • End with a positive group cheer or class signal to transition to the next activity.
lenny

Slide Deck

Direction Detectives

Welcome! Today we sharpen our listening skills through fun, direction-following activities.

Welcome everyone! Explain that today we’re becoming Direction Detectives to sharpen our listening and teamwork skills.

Today's Agenda

• Warm-Up Example (5 min)
• Quick Directions Game (10 min)
• Sample Direction Cards (–)
• Simon Says Challenge (5 min)
• Reflection & Debrief (5 min)
• Closure & Transition (5 min)

Briefly run through each part so students know the flow.

Objectives

By the end of our meeting, you will be able to:
• Accurately follow 2–3 step oral directions
• Use strategies to listen, remember, and act on instructions

Point out the goals and connect them to daily routines.

Warm-Up Example

Model this sequence together:

  1. Stand up
  2. Turn right
  3. Clap twice

Why does listening carefully matter?

Model a 3-step instruction for students: stand, spin, clap. Then invite a volunteer to try another.

Quick Directions Game

  1. Pair up: one “giver,” one “detective”
  2. Detective draws 3 cards from the Direction Cards Set
  3. Giver reads steps; detective follows in order
  4. 1 minute per turn, then swap roles
  5. Earn stickers for perfect execution

Explain pairing, distributing cards, time limit, and sticker rewards. Model one round.

Sample Direction Cards

Examples from the Direction Cards Set:
• Touch your nose, jump twice, turn left
• Clap three times, spin in place, wiggle shoulders
• Take one giant step forward, salute, hop on one foot

Show examples of cards so students know what they look like. Use these as practice before the game.

Simon Says Challenge

• Only follow commands that start with “Simon says”
• Execute each 2–3 step sequence in order
• Ignore any command without “Simon says”

Be ready for easy and tricky sequences!

Reinforce the “Simon says” rule and deliver a few practice commands.

Reflection & Debrief

Grab your Reflection Worksheet:
• Write one strategy that helped you follow directions
• Write one challenge you faced

Share your ideas when prompted!

Hand out the reflection sheet. Give students time to write, then call on volunteers.

Key Takeaways & Transition

• Focus fully on the speaker
• Repeat or paraphrase steps in your head
• Ask clarifying questions

Great job, detectives! Ready for the rest of your day?

Summarize the three strategies and lead a class cheer to wrap up.

lenny

Lesson Plan

Direction Detectives Plan

Students will practice and improve active listening by accurately following multi-step oral directions and reflecting on strategies for comprehension and teamwork.

Strong listening and direction-following skills boost focus, foster cooperative classroom routines, and prepare students for success across academic tasks.

Audience

7th Grade Middle School Students

Time

30 Minutes

Approach

Interactive games combined with guided reflection

Materials

  • Direction Cards Set, * Reflection Worksheet, * Timer or Stopwatch, * Whiteboard and Markers, and * Reward Stickers or Tokens

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 Minutes

  • Print and cut out the Direction Cards Set.
  • Make copies of the Reflection Worksheet.
  • Arrange desks or seating for paired activities.
  • Place whiteboard and markers at the front of the room.
  • Have timer or stopwatch and reward stickers ready.

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

5 Minutes

  • Greet students and explain the goal: sharpening listening skills by following directions precisely.
  • Model a simple 3-step instruction (e.g., stand up, turn right, clap twice).
  • Invite volunteers to model another sequence.
  • Ask students why careful listening matters in and out of class.

Step 2

Quick Directions Activity

10 Minutes

  • Divide students into pairs: one “giver,” one “detective.”
  • Each detective draws three random cards from the Direction Cards Set.
  • The giver reads the 3-step instruction aloud; the detective follows each step in order.
  • Limit each turn to 1 minute; use the timer or stopwatch.
  • Swap roles and repeat so each student gives and follows once.
  • Award a sticker for every perfect execution.

Step 3

Simon Says Challenge

5 Minutes

  • Explain: only follow commands starting with “Simon says.”
  • Issue 2–3 step sequences, mixing easy and tricky ones.
  • Encourage zero actions on commands without “Simon says.”
  • Praise attentive listeners and correct missteps with positive feedback.

Step 4

Reflection & Debrief

5 Minutes

  • Distribute the Reflection Worksheet.
  • Students write one strategy that helped them and one challenge they faced.
  • Invite 3–4 volunteers to share their insights.
  • Highlight patterns in strategies (e.g., repeating steps mentally, asking questions).

Step 5

Closure & Transition

5 Minutes

  • Summarize key takeaways: focus fully, paraphrase steps, ask clarifying questions.
  • Lead the class in a “Direction Detectives” cheer to celebrate their efforts.
  • Transition with a group signal to the next class activity.
lenny

Activity

Direction Cards Set

Below are 20 cards, each with a unique 3-step direction sequence for the Quick Directions Activity. Print and cut these out so students can draw them at random.

  1. Touch your nose
    2. Jump twice
    3. Turn left


  2. Stand up
    2. Spin around once
    3. Sit down


  3. Clap your hands three times
    2. Wiggle your shoulders
    3. Take one step forward


  4. Raise your right hand
    2. Hop on your left foot
    3. Nod your head twice


  5. Pat your head
    2. Turn around in place
    3. Stomp your right foot


  6. Snap your fingers twice
    2. Touch your left ear
    3. Take one giant step backward


  7. Salute
    2. Jump three times
    3. Turn right


  8. Spin on one foot
    2. Tap your toes
    3. Wave both hands


  9. Pat your stomach
    2. Touch your toes
    3. Raise both arms overhead


  10. Cross your arms
    2. Shake your head “no”
    3. Step to the right


  11. Smile widely
    2. Jump in place
    3. Turn left


  12. Touch your shoulders
    2. Clap once
    3. Take two steps backward


  13. Tilt your head right
    2. Spin twice
    3. Stomp both feet


  14. Pat your knees
    2. Hop on your right foot
    3. Wave one hand


  15. Touch your chin
    2. Leap forward
    3. Turn around


  16. Snap your fingers three times
    2. Touch your right elbow
    3. Step to the left


  17. Give a thumbs up
    2. Jump twice
    3. Rotate shoulders


  18. Pretend to write
    2. Spin in place
    3. Nod your head once


  19. Touch your knees
    2. Clap twice
    3. Step forward


  20. Shrug your shoulders
    2. Touch your back
    3. Turn right twice


lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Reflection Worksheet

Reflect on today’s Direction Detectives activities by completing the prompts below.

  1. What one strategy helped me follow the multi-step directions successfully?






  2. What was one challenge or difficulty I faced when following the directions?






  3. (Optional) I have these tips for my teammates or questions for my teacher:



Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

lenny
lenny