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Shh! Listening Ninjas

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Lizeth Sanchez

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Listening Ninjas Lesson Plan

Students will learn to minimize unnecessary talking by practicing silent listening strategies, understand how quiet improves learning and cooperation, and become respectful classroom participants.

Building strong listening habits helps 2nd graders focus, respect peers, and create a calm, productive learning environment where everyone can succeed.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Engaging demonstrations, partner practice, and reflection to reinforce quiet listening skills.

Materials

  • Listening Ninjas Poster, - Quiet Reminder Cards, and - Listening Reward Tokens

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Print and display Listening Ninjas Poster at the front of the room.
  • Print and cut out Quiet Reminder Cards for each student.
  • Gather Listening Reward Tokens to award students.
  • Review lesson flow and ensure timers or signals are ready.

Step 1

Introduction to Listening Ninjas

5 minutes

  • Gather students on the carpet and show the Listening Ninjas Poster.
  • Ask: “What does it mean to be a Listening Ninja?” and record answers.
  • Explain why minimizing talking helps everyone learn and work together.

Step 2

Silent Role Model Demonstration

5 minutes

  • Role-play two scenarios: one with chattering classmates and one with ninja-level quiet.
  • Use Quiet Reminder Cards to signal when to hush.
  • Have students note how focus and cooperation change in each scenario.

Step 3

Partner Practice: Whisper and Wait

10 minutes

  • Pair students and give them a simple prompt to share in a whisper (e.g., favorite color).
  • Partners practice waiting silently after whispering until they see the thumbs-up signal.
  • Circulate, praise ninja-like quiet, and gently correct talking too soon.

Step 4

Class Reflection and Token Celebration

10 minutes

  • Reconvene and ask: “How did being quiet feel? How did it help?”
  • Invite students to share examples of when they used ninja listening.
  • Award Listening Reward Tokens to students who demonstrated excellent quiet listening.
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Slide Deck

Shh! Listening Ninjas

Today we will learn how to be quiet, respectful listeners—just like ninjas!

Welcome students! Introduce our lesson name. Explain that today we will become ‘Listening Ninjas’ by practicing quiet listening skills.

What Is a Listening Ninja?

• Eyes watching the speaker
• Ears listening quietly
• Mouth staying still
• Body calm and ready to learn

Show the Listening Ninjas Poster on the board or projector. Point to each ninja pose and review what it represents.

Role-Play: Chatty vs. Ninja Quiet

Scenario 1: Everyone talks at once
Scenario 2: Ninja-quiet listening

Notice the difference in focus and teamwork!

Explain we will do two quick role-plays. First, everyone chatters; then we’ll show ninja-level quiet. Use Quiet Reminder Cards to signal when to hush.

Partner Practice: Whisper & Wait

  1. Turn to your partner and whisper your favorite color.
  2. Stay silent and listen.
  3. Wait for the teacher’s thumbs-up before whispering again.

Pair students up and explain the steps. Model whispering and waiting for the thumbs-up signal before talking again. Circulate to praise quiet moments.

Class Reflection

• How did it feel to be quiet?
• How did being quiet help you listen?
• When can you use ninja listening next?

Bring the class back together. Read each question and call on volunteers. Encourage full-class sharing.

Ninja Celebration

Fantastic job, Listening Ninjas!
Here are your Reward Tokens for great quiet listening.

Congratulate all students on their ninja-quiet work. Hand out Listening Reward Tokens to those who showed excellent ninja listening.

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Worksheet

Listening Ninjas Poster

(Insert colorful Ninja cartoon graphic here)

Be a Ninja Listener:

  • Eyes: Watch the speaker quietly.
  • Ears: Listen without interrupting.
  • Mouth: Keep still and silent.
  • Body: Stay calm and ready to learn.

Show your Ninja listening moves every day!

(Use this poster to remind you how to be a respectful, focused listener.)

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lenny

Activity

Quiet Reminder Cards

Print and cut these mini cards. Show one to quickly remind students to stay ninja-quiet!

Card 1 🤫
Visual: Finger to lips
Text: Shh! Ninja listen!

Card 2 👂
Visual: Ear icon
Text: Use your listening ears.

Card 3 👀
Visual: Eyes icon
Text: Watch the speaker, ninja!

Card 4 ✋
Visual: Hand icon
Text: Pause talking.

Card 5 🤐
Visual: Zipped-mouth face
Text: Mouth still, ninja quiet.

Card 6 🎉
Visual: Mini fireworks
Text: Great ninja listening!

Teacher Tip: Keep a set at your desk or on a key ring. Hold up the matching card when you need to gently remind the class to be quiet without interrupting your flow.

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lenny

Worksheet

Listening Ninjas Worksheet

Name: _____________________ Date: _______________

Remember to use the ninja moves on the Listening Ninjas Poster and the Quiet Reminder Cards as you work!

1. Match the Ninja Part to Its Listening Move

Write the number of the correct move next to each letter.

A. Eyes _____
B. Ears _____
C. Mouth _____
D. Body _____

Moves:

  1. Stay calm and ready to learn.
  2. Watch the speaker quietly.
  3. Listen without interrupting.
  4. Keep still and silent.

A. _____



B. _____



C. _____



D. _____


2. Reflection: Why Be a Listening Ninja?

In your own words, explain how being a Listening Ninja helps everyone learn better.







3. Draw Your Ninja Listening Pose

Draw yourself using all four ninja listening moves (eyes, ears, mouth, body). Label each part with the right word.

(Use the space below for your drawing.)












4. Scenario: What Would a Ninja Do?

For each situation, write one ninja listening strategy you would use.

a) While the teacher gives instructions, some classmates start chatting. What do you do?







b) You whisper your answer to a partner too early—before the thumbs-up signal. What ninja move helps you wait?







Great work, Listening Ninjas! Keep practicing your ninja quiet to help everyone learn together.

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