• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

My Turn, Your Turn!

Natalie

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan

Students will learn and practice taking turns through story-based role-play and games, fostering patience, empathy, and cooperative play.

Turn-taking builds essential social skills in Pre-K: patience, sharing, empathy, and conflict resolution, setting the foundation for positive classroom interactions.

Audience

Pre-K

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive stories, games, and reflection

Materials

  • Turn-Taking Story Cards, - Colorful Spinner Wheel, - Visual Timer, and - Plush Rabbit Puppet (Classroom Prop)

Prep

Set Up Materials

10 minutes

  • Print and cut out the Turn-Taking Story Cards.
  • Assemble the Colorful Spinner Wheel on a flat surface.
  • Place the Visual Timer within view of all students.
  • Gather the Plush Rabbit Puppet and keep it accessible for modeling.
  • Review activity steps and familiarize yourself with story card scenarios.

Step 1

Warm-Up Conversation

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and introduce the concept of taking turns using simple language.
  • Show the Plush Rabbit Puppet and demonstrate waiting: "When Bunny waits, then it's your turn!"
  • Ask students if they have ever waited for something and how it felt.

Step 2

Story Time with Cards

7 minutes

  • Shuffle the Turn-Taking Story Cards.
  • Invite a volunteer to pick a card and read the scenario aloud (e.g., "Sam wants a turn with the ball").
  • Discuss with the class what the character should do: wait, share, or ask politely.
  • Use the puppet to role-play the correct response.

Step 3

Spinner Turn Game

10 minutes

  • Explain the rules: each child spins the Colorful Spinner Wheel to see who goes first.
  • After a spin, that child gets 30 seconds with the puppet or a toy, timed by the Visual Timer.
  • When the timer rings, the next child spins and takes their turn.
  • Encourage applause and positive comments after each turn.

Step 4

Reflection and Praise

8 minutes

  • Gather students back in a circle and ask: "How did it feel to wait for your turn?"
  • Invite a few children to share their experiences.
  • Highlight examples of patience and sharing you observed.
  • Reinforce that taking turns helps everyone have fun together.
  • Praise the class for cooperative behavior and display a cooperation chart or sticker for group success.
lenny

Slide Deck

My Turn, Your Turn!

A playful 30-minute Pre-K lesson to build patience, empathy, and cooperative play.

Welcome students! Introduce today’s lesson on taking turns and cooperative play. Use an enthusiastic tone and show the title slide as you speak.

Lesson Objectives

  • Practice waiting patiently
  • Learn to share and ask politely
  • Develop empathy through role-play
  • Celebrate cooperative play

Explain each objective clearly. Ask students to listen and repeat back one thing they’ll learn today.

Materials

  • Turn-Taking Story Cards
  • Colorful Spinner Wheel
  • Visual Timer
  • Plush Rabbit Puppet

Show real or picture versions of each item. Pass around the bunny puppet for interest.

Warm-Up Conversation

  • Sit in a circle and introduce “taking turns”
  • Show Bunny Puppet: “When Bunny waits, then it’s your turn!”
  • Ask: “Have you ever waited? How did it feel?”

Gather children in a circle. Use the bunny puppet to model waiting. Ask two volunteers about times they waited.

Story Time with Cards

  • Shuffle the Turn-Taking Story Cards
  • Invite a volunteer to read a card scenario
  • Ask: “What should the character do? Wait, share, or ask politely?”
  • Use the puppet to role-play the correct choice

Shuffle cards beforehand. Encourage speaking in full sentences when reading. Model one scenario if needed.

Spinner Turn Game

  • Each child spins the Colorful Spinner Wheel
  • The spinner result decides who goes first
  • Winner plays with the puppet or toy for 30 seconds
  • Applaud and give positive feedback after each turn

Explain rules step by step. Demonstrate a spin first. Remind class to cheer for each child.

Timer Demonstration

  • Introduce the Visual Timer
  • Set a 30-second countdown for each turn
  • Watch the time slip away together
  • When time’s up, ring the timer and pass to the next child

Hold up the visual timer. Show how the colored section shrinks as time passes. Let a child help set it.

Reflection and Praise

  • Ask: “How did it feel to wait for your turn?”
  • Invite 2–3 students to share their feelings
  • Highlight examples of patience and sharing
  • Praise the class for working together

Bring students back to the circle. Use open-ended questions to encourage sharing. Praise specific behaviors.

Cooperation Chart

  • Display the class cooperation chart
  • Add a sticker for each successful turn
  • Celebrate when the group reaches the goal
  • Encourage continued practice every day

Show the cooperation chart. Explain goal and stickers. Let students place the sticker to build ownership.

Keep Practicing!

Taking turns makes play fun and fair! Let’s practice sharing and waiting every day.

Conclude with excitement. Remind students that taking turns makes play more fun and fair. Transition to next activity.

lenny