Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, ensure you have real leaves (if possible) and printed outlines of uncoloured leaves for each pupil, along with plenty of green crayons. The central idea is for pupils to correctly identify a leaf and the colour green, then practice holding a crayon properly to colour within the lines. Observe pupils’ crayon grip and their ability to colour mostly within the leaf outline to gauge their learning.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Creativity
Curriculum Theme: Creativity
Previous Lesson: Identifying and naming basic colours
Topic: Colouring a Leaf
Subject Matter: Colouring a Leaf
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify a leaf by sight.
- Identify the colour green.
Affective Domain
- Show interest in colouring activities.
- Participate actively in the lesson.
Psychomotor Domain
- Grip a green crayon properly.
- Colour a leaf outline using a green crayon.
Social Domain
- Share crayons and materials with classmates.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Real leaves (if available)
- Picture cards of leaves
- Printed outlines of uncoloured leaves (one per pupil)
- Green crayons
- Other coloured crayons for comparison
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it helps develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and colour recognition. By colouring a leaf, pupils connect with nature, learn about a common natural object, and express their creativity while practicing an essential pre-writing skill.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can recognise some basic colours and have seen leaves before. They have also had some experience holding crayons during free play.Lesson Content/Board Summary
Colouring a Leaf
A leaf is a part of a plant. Leaves are usually green. Today, we will learn to colour a leaf green. To colour well, we need to hold our crayon correctly. Hold the crayon with your thumb and first two fingers, like a pinch. Then, move your hand gently to colour inside the lines of the leaf. We will use the colour green because most leaves are green.Key Words
- Leaf – a flat, green part of a plant.
- Green – the colour of most leaves and grass.
- Colour – to fill a shape with a crayon or paint.
Green Leaf Colouring Song
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
Green, green, a lovely leaf,Green, green, brings us relief.
Hold your crayon, nice and tight,
Colour green with all your might.
Green, green, a lovely leaf,
Green, green, brings us relief.
Actions:
- Point to a leaf picture for “lovely leaf”.
- Show holding a crayon for “Hold your crayon, nice and tight”.
- Make colouring motions for “Colour green with all your might”.
Watch and Learn About Green
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Begin by showing real leaves or large pictures of leaves. Ask pupils to describe them. Introduce the colour green using various green objects before showing the green crayon. Demonstrate the correct crayon grip clearly, emphasizing the “pinch” with three fingers. Show how to colour gently within an outline, moving from one side to the other.
What to show or demonstrate: Display a real leaf and a picture of a leaf. Show a green crayon and compare it to other colours. Demonstrate the proper way to hold a crayon. Colour a large leaf outline on a chart paper or whiteboard, showing how to stay within the lines.
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing the “Green Leaf Colouring Song” together at least twice after introducing the leaf and the colour green. Encourage pupils to do the actions as they sing to reinforce the concepts and prepare them for the colouring activity.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to learn more about the colour green. Play the video once. After watching, ask pupils to name some green things they saw in the video or around the classroom. Encourage them to say “green” loudly.
What to watch for: Observe pupils’ initial crayon grip. Gently correct any awkward grips. Watch if pupils are making an effort to colour within the lines and using the green crayon. Provide individual support where needed.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Repetition, Practical Activity.Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Greeting/Engaging
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and asks them what they see outside the window or in the school compound. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Today, we are going to learn about leaves and colour them green!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and share what they see. They listen attentively to the topic.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready for the lesson.
Step 2: Identifying a Leaf
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Observation/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows real leaves (if available) and picture cards of leaves. The teacher asks, “What is this?” and guides pupils to say “Leaf.” The teacher explains that leaves are parts of plants.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the real leaves and pictures, then identify them as “leaves” by repeating after the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify a leaf.
Step 3: Identifying the Colour Green
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Colour Recognition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a green crayon and other coloured crayons. The teacher asks, “What colour is this crayon?” pointing to the green one. The teacher then shows the video about the colour green and leads the “Green Leaf Colouring Song.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the green crayon. They watch the video and sing the song, performing the actions.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify the colour green.
Step 4: Demonstrating Proper Crayon Grip
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Fine Motor Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the correct way to hold a crayon (thumb and first two fingers, like a pinch). The teacher asks pupils to pick up their green crayons and practice holding them correctly. The teacher walks around to provide individual guidance.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils pick up their green crayons and practice holding them as demonstrated by the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils practice proper crayon grip.
Step 5: Teacher’s Colouring Demonstration
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Practical Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher takes a large uncoloured leaf outline and a green crayon. The teacher demonstrates how to colour the leaf, staying within the lines and using gentle, even strokes. The teacher reminds pupils to use their correct crayon grip.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstration carefully, observing the colouring technique.
Learning Point: Pupils observe the correct way to colour a leaf.
Step 6: Guided Colouring Practice
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes uncoloured leaf outlines to each pupil. The teacher instructs pupils to colour their leaves green, reminding them to hold their crayons properly and try to stay within the lines. The teacher provides support and encouragement.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils colour their leaf outlines using green crayons, applying the demonstrated grip and technique.
Learning Point: Pupils apply their knowledge to colour a leaf.
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.
- “What is this?” (showing a leaf picture)
- “What colour did we use to colour the leaf?”
- “Show me how you hold your crayon properly.”
- “Show me your coloured leaf.”
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: Summarising/Praising
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their effort and beautiful green leaves. The teacher reiterates that leaves are green and they did a good job colouring. The teacher collects the coloured leaves.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils show their work and respond to praise.
Learning Point: Pupils feel accomplished and reinforce the lesson’s main points.
Lesson Keywords
- Leaf – A flat, usually green part of a plant.
- Green – The colour of most leaves and grass.
- Colour – To fill a shape with a crayon or paint.
- Crayon – A stick of coloured wax used for drawing and colouring.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils struggling with crayon grip, provide hand-over-hand guidance. For those finding it hard to stay within lines, offer larger leaf outlines or simplify the task by focusing only on filling the shape, not perfect lines. Give extra verbal prompts for identifying green.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly finish and colour neatly, encourage them to draw small veins on their leaves with the green crayon, or ask them to identify other green objects in the classroom. They could also be asked to name other colours they know.
Community Join the conversation Open discussion +