Cobber, Cobbler, Mend My Shoe for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: First Term
Week: 9
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Songs and Rhymes
Previous Lesson: Reciting simple action rhymes
Topic: COBBER, COBBLER, MEND MY SHOE
Subject Matter: COBBER, COBBLER, MEND MY SHOE.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify shoes that need mending.
• Identify a cobbler as someone who mends shoes.
• Recite the rhyme “Cobbler, Cobbler, Mend My Shoe”.

Affective Domain

• Show interest in learning and reciting the rhyme.
• Appreciate the work of a cobbler in the community.
• Understand the importance of taking care of their shoes.

Psychomotor Domain

• Perform simple actions while reciting the rhyme.
• Participate in a role-play activity about mending shoes.

Social Domain

• Take turns during the role-play activity.
• Listen attentively to the teacher and peers during the lesson.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
• Early Childhood Care and Education resources
• Relevant early-years songs and rhymes collections

Instructional Materials

• Old, worn-out shoes (with holes, broken straps, etc.)
• A new, well-maintained pair of shoes
• Pictures of a cobbler at work with tools (hammer, thread, needle, glue, leather pieces)
• Chart showing the rhyme “Cobbler, Cobbler, Mend My Shoe”

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson introduces pupils to a classic English nursery rhyme that helps them develop language skills, rhythm, and memory. It also teaches them about a community helper, the cobbler, and the importance of caring for their belongings, specifically shoes. Understanding the role of a cobbler helps children connect with the world around them and appreciate different professions.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can identify different parts of their body, know various types of clothing, and can sing simple songs and rhymes. They are familiar with shoes and wear them daily.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

COBBLER, COBBLER, MEND MY SHOE

A cobbler is a person who repairs shoes. When our shoes get old, torn, or broken, we take them to a cobbler to fix them. It is important to take good care of our shoes so they last a long time.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

• Display a worn-out shoe and a new shoe.
• Show pictures of a cobbler, their tools (hammer, needle, thread, glue), and different types of shoes.
• Write the rhyme clearly on a chart or board.

Key Words

• Cobbler – A person who mends or repairs shoes.
• Mend – To repair something that is broken or damaged.
• Shoe – Footwear worn to protect and comfort the human foot.
• Worn – Damaged or thin from much use.

The Rhyme: Cobbler, Cobbler, Mend My Shoe

Tune: Traditional Nursery Rhyme Tune

Lyrics:

Cobbler, cobbler, mend my shoe,
Get it done by half-past two.
Stitch it up, and stitch it down,
Then I’ll give you half a crown.

Actions:

• “Cobbler, cobbler”: Point to an imaginary cobbler.
• “mend my shoe”: Make a mending motion with hands.
• “Get it done by half-past two”: Tap wrist as if looking at a watch.
• “Stitch it up, and stitch it down”: Make stitching motions with fingers, up and down.
• “Then I’ll give you half a crown”: Hold out hand as if giving money.

How to use the rhyme: The teacher will lead the pupils in reciting the rhyme multiple times, encouraging them to use the actions. Explain that “half a crown” was a type of money used a long time ago, meaning the cobbler gets paid for their work.

Watch and Learn About the Cobbler

Let’s watch a short video about the cobbler and listen to our rhyme.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_YQ63I0728

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Storytelling, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Role-play, Imitation, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Motivation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and starts a short warm-up song about shoes (e.g., “My Shoes are Red”). The teacher then shows a pair of worn-out shoes and asks, “What is wrong with these shoes?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing along, and observe the shoes, pointing out what is wrong (e.g., “It has a hole!”, “It is torn!”).

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and identify problems with shoes.

Step 2: Presentation of the Topic

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Introducing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the rhyme “Cobbler, Cobbler, Mend My Shoe” and explains that when shoes are torn, someone can fix them. The teacher asks, “Who do you think can fix these shoes?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the introduction and offer ideas on who can fix shoes (e.g., “Mummy,” “Daddy,” or “A shoe man”).

Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the concept of shoe repair and the rhyme’s topic.

Step 3: Explaining “Cobbler”

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Visual Aid/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of a cobbler at work and explains, “The person who mends or repairs shoes is called a cobbler.” The teacher demonstrates simple mending actions like stitching or hammering.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures, listen to the explanation, and imitate the mending actions.

Learning Point: Pupils learn the meaning of “cobbler” and associate them with shoe repair.

Step 4: Reciting the Rhyme (Teacher-led)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Repetition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the rhyme “Cobbler, Cobbler, Mend My Shoe” clearly and slowly, performing the actions. The teacher repeats the rhyme two to three times, encouraging pupils to listen carefully.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the rhyme and observe the teacher’s actions.

Learning Point: Pupils become familiar with the rhyme’s words and rhythm.

Step 5: Guided Practice (Pupil Recitation)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Encouragement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in reciting the rhyme together, line by line, with actions. The teacher provides support and corrects pronunciation where necessary, encouraging all pupils to participate.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils recite the rhyme along with the teacher, performing the actions.

Learning Point: Pupils gain confidence in reciting the rhyme with actions.

Step 6: Role-play

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Role-play/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to role-play the scenario of taking a torn shoe to a cobbler. Some pupils act as customers, and others as cobblers. The teacher provides simple props like the worn shoe and imaginary tools.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the role-play, acting out the roles of customer and cobbler.

Learning Point: Pupils apply their understanding of the cobbler’s role in a practical scenario.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4–5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

1. Show me a shoe that needs mending.
2. Who is a cobbler? (Pupils point to a picture or say the name).
3. Can you recite the first two lines of the rhyme “Cobbler, Cobbler, Mend My Shoe”?
4. Why should we take care of our shoes?

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/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them to always take care of their shoes and appreciate community helpers like the cobbler. The class recites the rhyme one last time.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, respond to praise, and recite the rhyme one more time.

Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and remember the importance of shoe care.

Lesson Keywords

• Cobbler – A person who fixes shoes.
• Mend – To repair or fix something.
• Shoe – What we wear on our feet.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle to recite the rhyme, the teacher can use more hand-over-hand actions, repeat lines slowly, or have them recite in smaller groups. Provide extra visual cues with pictures of shoes and cobblers.
• Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concept, encourage them to identify other community helpers (e.g., tailor, carpenter) and what they do. They can also draw a picture of a cobbler at work.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Prepare the instructional materials, especially the worn-out shoes and pictures of a cobbler, beforehand. The visual aids are crucial for Pre-School Level 4 pupils to understand the concept of a cobbler and shoe mending. Emphasize the actions for the rhyme as this helps with memorization and engagement. Ensure all pupils get a chance to participate in the recitation and the role-play, even if it’s just for a short moment. The main idea children must understand is that a cobbler fixes shoes and that we should care for our belongings. Observable actions showing understanding include pointing to a cobbler in a picture, making mending gestures, and reciting at least two lines of the rhyme. Encourage pupils to share their experiences if their shoes have ever been mended.