Pass the Chicken Lesson Plan

  • Listening

  • Group Dynamics

  • Encouragement

  • Sensitivity to Others

The students will learn group dynamics by being aware of when it is their turn and waiting patiently. They will also show encouragement, sensitivity to others, and listening by allowing the person who is “it” to list as many items as possible by using quiet voices and supporting their answers. 

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

Students sit in a circle. Choose one student to be “it.” That student holds the chicken (or other object). The teacher or a student names a category. The student who is “it” passes the chicken to the right and quickly begins naming things that belong in the category. She must name five things in the category before the chicken makes it all the way around the circle and back to her. Here are some examples of categories you might use: Vocabulary words; Fruits or vegetables, cereals, desserts, etc.; Musical instruments, bands or musical groups, songs; Things you do at school, on weekends, for fun, etc.; Cartoon characters, story characters, fairy tale characters; Animals in the jungle, in the sea, on a farm, etc.; Cities in our state; State, capitals; Famous people; Countries, rivers, mountains; Sports, sports teams; Things that ... grow, are around, are green, float, are you made of .... If the student is able to name five items in the category, another student takes a turn being “it” and repeat the process with a new category. If the student can’t name five things, she can have a second chance at a bring “it” with another category or she can ask another student to be “it.” 

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

Categories can be related to school subjects like Math by counting by 1s, 2s, 3s, etc. Students could name shapes or solve basic fact problems. Language Arts could be connected by having students say the alphabet, spell words, or name characters in a story. 

Reflect Activity

Were we able to hear the answers given by the person who was “it”? Some categories may have been more difficult than others. Is it OK if some people were able to list more items in the category than others?

Variations

Pass something other than a chicken. Pass object around circle more than once. 

  • CASEL Traits:

  • Self Management

  • Self Awareness