Look Up, Look Down Lesson Plan

  • Honesty

  • Integrity

  • Interpersonal Communication

  • Positive Self-Esteem

The students will show honesty by following the rules and sitting down if they are looking at the same classmate. Sensitivity to others will be shown by looking at different classmates and not just their friends. 

S.T.A.R. Options:

Class Clap, counting, and rhythms. Teacher or one student lead. When the whole class sounds as one, try tow, then three, etc…

Math Counting (Multiples) Partner Counting. Clapping as a group to desired number. Add a partner and alternate count. Change partners.

Play + Connect Activity

Have players stand in a circle, with everyone looking down at their feet. On the command “Look up,” all players must look up into the eyes of another player in the circle - they do not have to be directly across, just someone in the circle. If that person happens to be looking back, both players must point at each other and let out a loud scream before sitting on the floor, eliminated from the game. After everyone who is eliminated sits down, call “Look down,” and start again from the beginning. The winner is the last person (or last two people) standing, depending on whether the total number of participants is odd or even. Note: Watch for cheaters! Often players will start by looking in one place and then look in another. If you find you’re dealing with a group of cheaters, consider implementing a look-and-point rule. 

Breathing Exercise Options:

Belly Breathing

5 belly breaths with mouth closed and hands on belly. Goal is to get students to breathe through nose and use their diaphragm. There should be very little movement of the chest and the belly should move in and out. Can do several rounds of this activity.

Accordion Breathing

5 belly breaths with mouth closed and hands on sides of lower ribs. Goal is to get students to breathe through nose and use their diaphragm. There should be very little movement of the chest and the students should feel movement outward on the inhale. Can do several rounds of this activity.

Learn + Grow Activity

Instead of having the pair be eliminated, have them complete an academic challenge together like a math fact or give a synonym and antonym. A teacher could have questions they need to answer to review a topic as another challenge. They could work on the problem while the next round is going. 

Reflect Activity

Do you and partner sit down when you were looking at each other? Did you look at different classmates and not just your friends?

Variations

Say the name of the person that got you out. 

  • CASEL Traits:

  • Responsible Decision Making

  • Self Awareness