Howard B Wigglebottom Learns to Listen | K-2 SEL Self Control & Impulse Control
Struggling with students who interrupt, call out, or have trouble following directions?
This engaging K–2 SEL lesson uses Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen to teach listening skills, self-control, and respectful classroom behavior in a way that actually sticks.
Young students often need explicit practice learning what good listening looks like. This ready-to-use lesson helps children build strong listening habits through meaningful discussions, movement-based activities, visual supports, and hands-on practice designed for real classrooms.
What’s Included
- Standards-aligned lesson plan (ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors + CASEL aligned)
- Lesson-at-a-Glance guide with pacing, materials, and teaching flow
- Teaching Script at a Glance for easy, confident delivery
- Listening warm-up icebreaker activity
- Read-aloud discussion guide for Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen
- Whole Body Listening posters (color + black-and-white versions)
- Listening Superstar reinforcement posters
- Listen & Color activities
- Write & Draw reflection pages (differentiated options)
- “I Can Listen” headband craft
- Match the Situation worksheet
- Home Connections family letter with listening challenge
How This Helps
This lesson helps students:
- Understand what good listening looks and sounds like
- Practice self-control and active listening skills
- Follow directions more successfully
- Strengthen respectful classroom behavior
- Build positive communication habits with peers and adults
Perfect For
- Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
- Elementary School Counselors
- Classroom Teachers
- Small Groups or Whole Group Lessons
- SEL Instruction and Behavior Support
Why Teachers & Counselors Love This
This is one of those lessons you can pull out and teach right away.
Everything is designed to be simple, engaging, and easy to manage with younger learners while still teaching meaningful lifelong skills. The mix of movement, discussion, visual supports, and hands-on practice keeps students actively involved from start to finish.
And if you'd like to extend the lesson, the animated version of the book is available free at wedolisten.org.
Note
Lesson shared with permission from author Howard Binkow.
Part of the Howard B. Wigglebottom SEL Lesson Series for K–2
