An interactive activity to develop listening comprehension and sequential processing skills.
20 minutes
Whole class or small groups
Listening & Speaking
Overview
"Follow the Leader" is an engaging activity where students practice following multi-step oral instructions to complete tasks or find hidden objects. This activity develops critical listening comprehension skills, sequential processing abilities, and attention to detail while being fun and interactive.
Learning Objectives
Develop active listening skills and auditory processing
Follow multi-step directions in sequence
Improve memory for verbal instructions
Enhance spatial awareness and directional concepts
Build vocabulary related to position and movement
Materials Needed
Open space for movement
Small objects to hide (optional, for treasure hunt variation)
Direction cards with multi-step instructions (optional)
Visual aids for directional concepts (optional)
Clipboard and checklist for teacher assessment
Preparation
Clear an open space in the classroom or use the playground
Prepare a list of age-appropriate multi-step directions
If using the treasure hunt variation, hide objects around the room
Review directional vocabulary with students (e.g., left, right, forward, backward, beside, between)
Activity Steps
Introduction (3 minutes):
Explain that today's activity focuses on careful listening and following directions
Review the importance of listening to all instructions before beginning
Demonstrate a simple example with 2-3 steps
Basic Follow the Leader (7 minutes):
Start with simple 2-step directions (e.g., "Stand up and touch your toes")
Gradually increase to 3-4 step directions (e.g., "Walk to the door, turn around three times, and hop back to your seat")
Have students take turns being the "leader" who gives directions
Treasure Hunt Variation (7 minutes):
Divide students into pairs
One student gives directions to find a hidden object
The partner must listen carefully and follow the directions to find the object
Switch roles and repeat
Reflection (3 minutes):
Discuss which directions were easy or difficult to follow and why
Talk about strategies for remembering multi-step directions
Connect the activity to real-life situations where following directions is important
Differentiation
For students who need additional support:
Reduce the number of steps in directions
Provide visual cues along with verbal instructions
Allow them to repeat the instructions aloud before following them
Pair them with a supportive peer
For students who need additional challenge:
Increase the number of steps in directions (5-6 steps)
Add conditional elements (e.g., "If the object is red, put it on the shelf; if it's blue, put it in the basket")
Include more complex spatial and directional language
Have them create elaborate multi-step directions for others
Assessment
Observe and note students' abilities to:
Listen attentively to multi-step directions
Follow directions in the correct sequence
Remember all steps without prompting
Use directional and positional vocabulary correctly
Give clear, logical directions when in the leader role
Extensions
Create a classroom obstacle course with written directions
Connect to writing by having students write their own multi-step directions
Incorporate technology by recording audio directions for students to follow
Create a "Direction Detective" center where students solve direction puzzles
Integrate with math by including counting or pattern elements in the directions
Curriculum Connections
Listening Comprehension: Processing and following verbal instructions
Spatial Concepts: Understanding positional and directional language
Sequential Thinking: Following steps in the correct order
Vocabulary Development: Learning and using directional terms
Teacher Tips
"I use colored tape on the floor to create pathways for students to follow. This adds a visual element that helps my students who need extra support."
- Ms. Williams, Grade 2 Teacher
"I connect this activity to our morning routine by giving multi-step directions for unpacking and starting the day. It's great practice and serves a practical purpose!"
- Mr. Thompson, Grade 2 Teacher
"For assessment, I keep a clipboard handy and note which students consistently follow all steps and which need support with multi-step directions."
