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Follow the Leader

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

  1. Clear an open space in the classroom or use the playground
  2. Prepare a list of age-appropriate multi-step directions
  3. If using the treasure hunt variation, hide objects around the room
  4. Review directional vocabulary with students (e.g., left, right, forward, backward, beside, between)

Activity Steps

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
Children following 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."

    - Mrs. Chen, Grade 2 Teacher