Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before this lesson, prepare a large clock (real or toy) with movable hands, pictures showing children arriving early and late to school, and ensure the video link is ready. The central idea for pupils is to understand that coming to school on time helps them learn and participate fully. Observe pupils’ ability to state the right time and explain one benefit of punctuality.

Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 3
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Personal Development
Curriculum Theme: Personal Development
Previous Lesson: Understanding school rules and routines.
Topic: Coming to School Early: Right Time and Importance
Subject Matter: Coming to School Early: Right Time and Importance

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

Identify the right time to come to school.
State at least one reason why it is important to come to school early.

Affective Domain

Show willingness to come to school early.
Appreciate the value of punctuality.

Psychomotor Domain

Sing a rhyme about coming to school early with actions.
Point to a clock showing the school’s start time.

Participate in discussions about good school habits.

Reference Materials

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

Instructional Materials

Large clock (real or toy) with movable hands
Pictures showing children arriving early and late to school
Charts illustrating school activities (assembly, lessons)
Song tapes or video (digital resource)

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding punctuality at an early age helps children develop responsibility and good habits. This lesson helps 4-year-olds recognise the importance of being on time for school, ensuring they do not miss out on learning and social activities, which are crucial for their overall development.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are familiar with their school environment, daily routines like waking up and eating, and know that school starts in the morning.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Coming to School Early: Right Time and Importance

The Right Time to Come to School:

The right time to come to school is before the morning assembly starts.
Usually, this is around 7:30 AM or 8:00 AM, depending on the school.
It means being in school before the teacher calls for assembly or before lessons begin.

Importance of Coming to School Early:

You don’t miss anything: You will be present for the morning assembly, greetings, and important announcements.
You learn more: You will not miss the beginning of any lesson.
You play with friends: You have time to greet your friends and play a little before class.
You are happy: Coming early makes you feel calm and ready to learn, instead of rushing or being sad you missed something.
It’s a good habit: Being on time shows you are responsible and respectful of school rules.

Early Bird Rhyme

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:

Early bird, early bird, come to school,
Early bird, early bird, that’s the rule.
Before the clock says eight o’clock,
We’re here to learn, play, and talk.
Early bird, early bird, happy day,
Early bird, early bird, hooray, hooray!

Actions: Point to an imaginary watch, walk in place, clap hands, smile.

Watch and Learn About Being On Time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1Xw_v1a8jI

Key Words

Early – Arriving before the expected time.
Late – Arriving after the expected time.
Punctual – Being on time.
Right Time – The correct or expected time for something to happen.

💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary

How to teach the content: Use the large clock to demonstrate the school’s start time. Move the hands to show 7:30 or 8:00 AM and explain that pupils should be in school by then. Use the pictures to show the contrast between children arriving early (happy, participating) and late (rushing, missing out). Encourage pupils to share what they do when they come early.

What to show or demonstrate: Clearly show the time on the clock. Point to specific details in the pictures that illustrate the benefits of coming early (e.g., singing during assembly, playing with friends). Use gestures to show “rushing” versus “calm.”

How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Early Bird Rhyme” by singing it slowly first, then with actions. Repeat it several times, encouraging pupils to join in with the words and actions. Emphasise the words “early bird” and “right time.”

How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to learn about being on time. Play the video and encourage pupils to watch and listen. After watching, ask simple questions like, “What did the children in the video do?” or “Why is it good to be on time?”

What to watch for: Observe if pupils can identify the correct time on the clock and if they can articulate any reason for coming early. Watch for participation in singing and discussion. Correct any misconceptions about what happens if they come late.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what they do in the morning before coming to school. The teacher then asks, “What time do you usually come to school?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and share their morning routines, mentioning breakfast, bathing, etc. Some may state their arrival time.

Learning Point: Pupils recall their morning routines and think about their arrival time at school.

Step 2: Introducing the Right Time

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a large clock and sets it to the school’s official start time (e.g., 8:00 AM). The teacher explains, “This is the right time for school to start. We should be here before this time for morning assembly.” The teacher shows pictures of children arriving early.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the clock and the pictures. They repeat the school’s start time after the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils identify the correct time to be in school.

Step 3: Discussing the Importance of Coming Early

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Picture Talk/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of children participating in morning assembly, greeting friends, and starting lessons. The teacher asks, “What are these children doing? Why is it good to be here for this?” The teacher explains the benefits of punctuality.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the pictures and share what they see. They listen to the teacher explain why coming early is important.

Learning Point: Pupils understand basic reasons for coming to school early.

Step 4: Singing the “Early Bird Rhyme”

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Songs and Rhymes/Imitation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces and leads the pupils in singing the “Early Bird Rhyme” with actions. The teacher repeats the rhyme several times, encouraging full participation.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, imitate the actions, and sing along with the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce the concept of coming early through song and movement.

Step 5: Video Reinforcement

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Audio-visual/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the video about being on time and plays it for the pupils. After the video, the teacher asks simple questions about what they observed.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video attentively and respond to the teacher’s questions.

Learning Point: Pupils gain further visual understanding of punctuality and its benefits.

Step 6: Role-play: Early vs. Late

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Role-play/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks, “What happens if you come early?” (e.g., you sing assembly songs). “What happens if you come late?” (e.g., you miss the songs). The teacher briefly role-plays arriving early (happy, joining in) versus late (rushing, looking for a seat).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the role-play and discuss the differences between coming early and coming late.

Learning Point: Pupils connect punctuality to positive experiences and lateness to negative ones.

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.

When is the right time to come to school? (e.g., before assembly, around 8 o’clock)
Show me on the clock when school starts.
Name one good thing about coming to school early.
Can you sing a part of our “Early Bird Rhyme”?

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: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them to always try to come to school early to be happy and learn a lot. The teacher leads a final chant: “Early bird, early bird, always on time!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the praise and repeat the chant.

Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to practise punctuality.

Lesson Keywords

Early – Arriving before the expected time.
Late – Arriving after the expected time.
Punctual – Being on time.
Right Time – The correct or expected time for something to happen.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who struggle, provide more one-on-one guidance with the clock. Use simpler pictures with clear “early” and “late” labels. Repeat the rhyme more slowly and encourage them to just do the actions.
Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to explain more reasons why coming early is good. Ask them to describe what a “late” child might miss. They can also help lead the actions for the rhyme.