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Kerplunk! Following Directions & Self-Control

Lesson Plan

Kerplunk! Following Directions & Self-Control

Students will actively listen to and follow multi-step directions, and practice self-regulation by waiting their turn and managing impulses while playing the game Kerplunk.

Developing the ability to follow directions and self-regulate is crucial for young learners. It helps them succeed in the classroom, build positive relationships, and navigate social situations effectively. This lesson provides a fun, hands-on way to practice these foundational skills.

Audience

Pre-K Students (Small Group of 3)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Game-based learning with explicit instruction and guided practice.

Materials

Kerplunk Game, Kerplunk Lesson Slide Deck, Kerplunk Lesson Script, and Cool Down: Self-Control Check-In

Prep

Gather Materials & Review Lesson

10 minutes

  • Gather the Kerplunk game.
    - Review the Kerplunk Lesson Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the visual aids.
    - Read through the Kerplunk Lesson Script to prepare talking points and instructions.
    - Ensure you understand the rules of Kerplunk and how to adapt them for teaching following directions and self-regulation.
    - Arrange a comfortable, distraction-free space for the small group.

Step 1

Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Greet students and briefly introduce the concept of following directions and self-control.
    - Use the first slide of the Kerplunk Lesson Slide Deck to set the stage.
    - Ask students for examples of when they need to follow directions (e.g., in class, at home) and why self-control is important.

Step 2

Introduce Kerplunk & Rules (7 minutes)

7 minutes

  • Show students the Kerplunk game.
    - Explain the basic goal of the game: don't let the marbles fall!
    - Explicitly state and demonstrate the rules for this game, focusing on following directions:
    - "Listen carefully to my directions."
    - "Wait for your turn."
    - "Choose one stick and pull it out gently."
    - "Count how many marbles fall (if any)."
    - Use the Kerplunk Lesson Script for detailed instructions and prompts.

Step 3

Play Kerplunk (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Begin playing the game, reinforcing directions and self-regulation.
    - Model good listening and waiting.
    - Provide gentle reminders and positive reinforcement for students who are following directions and demonstrating self-control.
    - If a student struggles, pause the game, re-explain the rule, and offer support.
    - Encourage peer encouragement for good behavior.
    - Facilitate discussion during play: "How are you showing self-control right now?" "What direction did I just give?"

Step 4

Wrap-Up & Reflection (3 minutes)

3 minutes

  • Conclude the game.
    - Lead a brief discussion about what they learned and how they used listening skills and self-control.
    - Distribute and guide students through the Cool Down: Self-Control Check-In worksheet to reflect on their learning.
    - Praise effort and emphasize the importance of these skills in their daily lives.
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Slide Deck

Kerplunk! Listen & Control!

Today we're going to play a fun game to help us with two super important skills:

  • Following Directions
  • Self-Control

Are you ready to be super listeners and awesome self-controllers?

Welcome students and introduce the topic of our counseling session. Explain that we'll be learning about two very important skills today!

What are Directions?

Directions are like instructions! They tell us what to do.

  • Listen with your ears!
  • Think with your brain!
  • Do what the directions say!

Why do you think it's important to listen to directions?

Ask students what 'directions' mean to them. Give simple examples like 'sit down' or 'line up'. Emphasize listening with ears and brain.

Why Follow Directions?

Following directions helps us:

  • Stay safe! (Like crossing the street)
  • Learn new things! (Like in class)
  • Play fair with friends! (Like in games)
  • Make good choices!

It makes everything run smoothly!

Discuss why following directions is helpful. Connect it to staying safe, learning, and playing together. Use simple, relatable examples.

What is Self-Control?

Self-control means being the boss of your own body and your own brain!

  • Thinking before you act.
  • Waiting patiently.
  • Keeping your hands to yourself.
  • Taking a deep breath.

It's like having a superpower!

Introduce self-control as 'bossing your body and brain.' Give examples of when they might need self-control, like waiting for a turn or not grabbing a toy.

Why is Self-Control Important?

Self-control helps us:

  • Wait for our turn.
  • Share with friends.
  • Stay calm when things are tough.
  • Reach our goals!

It helps us be good friends and good learners!

Talk about the benefits of self-control. How does it help them get what they want in the long run? How does it help their friends?

Kerplunk Rules for Our Game!

Today, when we play Kerplunk, we have some special rules to help us with listening and self-control:

  1. Listen carefully to my directions!
  2. Wait for your turn! (No touching until it's your turn!)
  3. Choose one stick and pull it out gently.
  4. Count how many marbles fall!

Let's try to follow these directions and show amazing self-control!

Now, explain the Kerplunk game rules, emphasizing the two core skills. Go over each rule clearly, possibly demonstrating with the actual game pieces.

Let's Play Kerplunk!

Time to put our skills to the test!

Remember:

  • Listen!
  • Wait!
  • Gentle hands!

Have fun and show off your super skills!

Transition to playing the game. Encourage students to remember the rules as they play.

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Script

Kerplunk! Following Directions & Self-Control: Teacher Script

I. Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)

(Display Kerplunk Lesson Slide Deck - Slide 1)

Teacher: "Hi everyone! I am so excited to see you today. We have a really fun game to play, and it's going to help us with two super important skills: following directions and self-control! Can everyone say 'following directions'?"

Students: (Respond)

Teacher: "Great! And now, can you say 'self-control'?"

Students: (Respond)

Teacher: "Awesome! These are like superpowers that help us learn and play with our friends. Who can tell me what a 'direction' is?"













II. Introduce Directions (7 minutes)

(Display Kerplunk Lesson Slide Deck - Slide 2)

Teacher: "That's right! Directions are like instructions. They tell us what to do, how to do it, or where to go. Like when your teacher says, 'Please sit down,' that's a direction! Or when your grown-up at home says, 'Please put your shoes on,' that's a direction too! When we hear directions, we need to do three things: listen with our ears, think with our brain, and then do what the directions say."

"Why do you think it's important to follow directions? What happens if we don't listen?"













(Display Kerplunk Lesson Slide Deck - Slide 3)

Teacher: "Yes! Following directions helps us stay safe, like knowing where to walk in the hallway. It helps us learn new things in class. And it helps us play fair and be good friends! It makes everything go smoothly."

III. Introduce Self-Control (7 minutes)

(Display Kerplunk Lesson Slide Deck - Slide 4)

Teacher: "Now let's talk about self-control. Self-control means being the boss of your own body and your own brain! It means you can think before you act, wait patiently, and keep your hands to yourself even when you really want to grab something. It's like having a superpower that helps you make good choices."

"Can anyone think of a time when they used their self-control superpower?"













(Display Kerplunk Lesson Slide Deck - Slide 5)

Teacher: "Fantastic examples! Self-control helps us wait for our turn, share toys, and stay calm. It makes us good friends and good learners."

IV. Kerplunk Game Rules (5 minutes)

(Display Kerplunk Lesson Slide Deck - Slide 6)

Teacher: "Now, it's time for our game: Kerplunk! Does anyone know how to play Kerplunk?"

Students: (Respond)

Teacher: "Well, today we have some special rules for Kerplunk that will help us practice our listening and self-control skills. This game is all about not letting the marbles fall, but it's also about how we play it!"

  • (Point to the slide) "Rule number one: Listen carefully to my directions! I will tell you exactly what to do."
  • (Point to the slide) "Rule number two: Wait for your turn! This is where our self-control superpower comes in. No touching the game until I say it's your turn. You have to be super patient."
  • (Point to the slide) "Rule number three: When it's your turn, choose one stick and pull it out gently. Just one, and be gentle!"
  • (Point to the slide) "And rule number four: If any marbles fall, count how many marbles fall!"

"Let's put the sticks in the tower and the marbles on top. Are we ready to be super listeners and awesome self-controllers?"

V. Play Kerplunk (15 minutes)

(Display Kerplunk Lesson Slide Deck - Slide 7)

Teacher: "Alright, it's [Student 1 Name]
g's turn first. [Student 1 Name], remember to listen to my directions, wait your turn, choose one stick, and pull it gently. Go ahead, [Student 1 Name]."

(Facilitate the game, providing prompts and reinforcement)

  • (If a student reaches out too soon): "Oops! Remember our self-control superpower? It's [Student Name]
    g's turn right now. You can do it!"
  • (After a student pulls a stick): "Great listening, [Student Name]! You pulled just one stick! How many marbles fell?" (Guide counting)
  • (Praise): "Wow, [Student Name], you waited so patiently for your turn! That was amazing self-control!"
  • (Prompt discussion): "[Student Name], what direction did I just give?" "How are you showing self-control right now, even when it's not your turn?"

(Continue playing until time is almost up or the marbles have mostly fallen.)

VI. Wrap-Up & Reflection (3 minutes)

Teacher: "Alright everyone, great game! You all did such a wonderful job practicing following directions and using your self-control superpowers! What was easy about that? What was a little tricky?"













Teacher: "I saw so many of you listening carefully and waiting patiently. That is exactly what we wanted to practice! These skills will help you so much in kindergarten and with your friends. To help us remember what we learned, we're going to do a quick Cool Down: Self-Control Check-In."

(Distribute the Cool Down worksheet and guide students through it.)

Teacher: "Thank you all for being such great listeners and for showing amazing self-control today! Give yourselves a pat on the back!"

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Cool Down

Cool Down: Self-Control Check-In

Name: _____________________________

1. I showed self-control when...

(Think about the game! Did you wait for your turn? Did you choose just one stick?)












2. I followed directions when...

(What directions did you listen to carefully?)












3. How do you feel when you use your self-control superpower and follow directions?

(Draw a happy face, a strong face, or a calm face!)












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