Unit Plan 3 (Grade K Counselor): Listening Like a Learner

Focus: Teach Kindergarten students what listening looks like during classroom lessons. The counselor introduces “listening with eyes, ears, body, and brain” in a simple, age-appropriate way. Students practice listening during a short story, following a two-step direction, and noticing how listening helps everyone learn.

Grade Level: K

Subject Area: School Counseling (Listening Skills • Following Directions • School-Ready Choices)

Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks, 30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This Kindergarten counseling lesson helps students understand that listening is an important school-ready behavior. Students learn that listening is more than being quiet. Listening can include looking toward the speaker, using ears to hear, keeping the body safe and calm, and using the brain to think about what is being said.

The counselor uses visuals, a short story, puppet modeling, movement practice, and simple two-step directions to help students practice listening like learners. Students also notice that listening helps themselves, classmates, and teachers because everyone can learn, participate, and stay safe. The goal is for students to understand that listening is a respectful and responsible choice they can practice every day.

Essential Questions

• What does listening look like at school?
• How can students listen with eyes, ears, body, and brain?
• How does listening help students learn?
• How does listening help classmates and teachers?
• How can students respond appropriately when someone else is speaking?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify school-ready listening behaviors such as watching, hearing, safe body, thinking, and participating.
2. Explain that listening helps students learn and helps the classroom stay safe and respectful.
3. Practice listening during a short story, puppet example, partner share, or counselor activity.
4. Follow a simple two-step direction during a classroom guidance activity.
5. Practice listening when another person is speaking and responding in an appropriate way.
6. Recognize safe and respectful choices connected to listening, such as calm body, hands to self, and waiting for a turn.
7. (Optional Session) Apply listening skills through a listening game, story response, puppet practice, partner share, or safe-choice sort.

Standards Alignment — Grade K (ASCA-based Custom)

• C:S5.Ka — Practice Listening and Following Directions
  • Demonstrate school-ready behaviors such as listening, watching, following directions, and participating.
  • Example: A student follows a two-step direction during a classroom guidance activity.
• C:S3.Kc — Listen and Respond to Others
  • Practice listening when someone else is speaking and responding in an appropriate way.
  • Example: A student looks at a classmate during partner sharing and says something connected to what the partner said.
• C:S6.Kc — Make Safe and Responsible Choices
  • Recognize safe, respectful choices in common school situations.
  • Example: A student chooses walking feet in the hallway or tells an adult about an unsafe situation.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can listen with my eyes, ears, body, and brain.
• I can follow a two-step direction.
• I can look toward someone who is speaking.
• I can wait while someone else talks.
• I can respond with words or actions that match what I heard.
• I can make safe and respectful listening choices.