Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have pictures of a lion or a toy lion, and be ready to play the provided rhyme video. The central idea is for pupils to learn the rhyme “A Lion, A Lion” through repetition, song, and actions. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can repeat the rhyme, sing along, and participate in simple role-play, showing enjoyment and understanding of the lion’s key features.

Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 9
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Different animal sounds and songs.
Topic: A LION, A LION
Subject Matter: A LION, A LION.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

Recite the rhyme “A Lion, A Lion” with some accuracy.
Sing the song “A Lion, A Lion” along with the teacher.
Identify a lion’s mane when shown a picture.

Affective Domain

Show enjoyment while participating in the rhyme and song.
Listen attentively to the teacher and the video.

Psychomotor Domain

Perform simple actions related to the lion, such as roaring and showing a big mane.
Participate in role-playing a lion.

Take turns and participate cooperatively in group activities.
Interact positively with peers during the role-play.

Reference Materials

NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
Early Childhood Care and Education resources

Instructional Materials

Mp3 player
Rhyme book (or printed lyrics)
Pictures of a lion (with a clear mane)
Toy lion (optional)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps 4-year-olds develop language skills, memory, and imagination through engaging with a familiar animal rhyme. Learning “A Lion, A Lion” encourages vocal expression, listening skills, and physical activity, while also building social interaction through group singing and role-play. It connects learning to a child’s natural curiosity about animals.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can listen to and repeat simple words and short phrases. They can also recognise some common animals and their sounds.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

A LION, A LION

A lion is a big, wild animal known for its strength and loud roar. Male lions have a lot of hair around their face and neck called a mane.

Key Words

Lion – A large, wild cat with a loud roar.
Big – Very large in size.
Mane – The long, thick hair around a lion’s neck and head.
Roar – The loud, deep sound a lion makes.

The Rhyme: A Lion, A Lion

Tune: Traditional children’s song tune (e.g., “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or a simple chant)

Lyrics:

A lion, a lion,
Has a big bushy mane.
A lion, a lion,
Loves to roar again and again.
Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar!
A lion, a lion,
Loves to roar again and again.

Actions:

“A lion, a lion”: Point to a picture of a lion or pretend to be a lion.
“Has a big bushy mane”: Spread hands around head to show a big mane.
“Loves to roar again and again”: Cup hands around mouth and make a roaring sound.
“Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar!”: Make loud roaring sounds while shaking hands.

Watch and Sing Along

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kP0s1s2r2o

💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary

How to teach the content: Introduce the lion using pictures or a toy. Explain what a mane is and demonstrate a lion’s roar. Recite the rhyme slowly and clearly, line by line, several times before attempting the song.

What to show or demonstrate: Show clear pictures of a lion, pointing to its mane. Demonstrate the actions for each line of the rhyme. Model the roaring sound.

How to use the rhyme/song: Recite the rhyme first, then sing the song using a simple, repetitive tune. Encourage pupils to join in with the actions and sounds. Repeat the rhyme and song multiple times throughout the lesson to aid memorization.

How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see and hear the lion song. Play the video once for pupils to watch, then play it again, encouraging them to sing and do the actions along with the characters in the video. Discuss what they saw and heard after watching.

What to watch for: Observe if pupils are attempting to repeat the words, make the roaring sound, and perform the actions. Pay attention to their engagement and enjoyment during the activities.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Role-play, Repetition, Picture Talk, Question and Answer.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: Greet the pupils. Ask them about animals they know and what sounds they make. Show a picture of a lion and ask, “What animal is this?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, name animals, and identify the lion in the picture.

Learning Point: Pupils recall prior knowledge of animals and identify a lion.

Step 2: Presentation of the Rhyme

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Recitation/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: Introduce the topic “A Lion, A Lion.” Recite the rhyme clearly and slowly, pointing to the lion’s mane in the picture as you say “big bushy mane.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the rhyme and observe the picture.

Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the rhyme and key vocabulary (lion, mane, roar).

Step 3: Guided Repetition

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Repetition/Pronunciation

Teacher’s Activity: Recite the rhyme again, line by line, and encourage pupils to repeat each line after you. Emphasize the word “roar.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat each line of the rhyme after the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils begin to memorize the rhyme through repetition.

Step 4: Adding Actions and Singing

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Singing

Teacher’s Activity: Demonstrate the actions for the rhyme (spreading hands for mane, cupping hands for roar). Sing the rhyme with the actions. Encourage pupils to join in with the actions and singing.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils imitate the teacher’s actions and attempt to sing the rhyme along with the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils associate actions with the words and practice singing the rhyme.

Step 5: Video Reinforcement

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Visual Aid/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: Introduce the video and play “A Lion, A Lion” song. Encourage pupils to watch, listen, and sing along with the video characters.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video, sing along, and perform actions as shown in the video.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their learning through visual and auditory stimulation.

Step 6: Role-play

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Creative Play/Encouragement

Teacher’s Activity: Ask pupils to pretend to be lions. Encourage them to walk like a lion, show their “mane” (with their hands), and make roaring sounds. Play some background music if available.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in role-playing, moving and roaring like lions.

Learning Point: Pupils use their imagination and practice gross motor skills.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

“What animal did we learn about today?”
“What sound does a lion make?”
“The lion has a big ________?” (Prompt for ‘mane’)
Ask pupils to show the action for “big bushy mane.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarizing/Praise

Teacher’s Activity: Briefly recap the lesson by singing the rhyme one last time. Praise pupils for their participation and good listening. Dismiss the class.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing along one last time and respond to the teacher’s praise.

Learning Point: Pupils leave with a positive reinforcement of the lesson.

Lesson Keywords

Lion – A large, wild cat that roars.
Mane – The long hair around a lion’s head.
Roar – The loud sound a lion makes.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who find it difficult, provide more one-on-one repetition of short phrases. Use hand-over-hand to guide actions. Allow them to focus on just the roaring sound.
Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to make up another action for the lion or to draw a picture of a lion and its mane. Ask them to identify other animals that live in the wild.