Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before this lesson, prepare pictures of a railway, a horn, and other common musical instruments like a drum, trumpet, or guitar. The central idea for pupils is to sing the song, identify a horn, and understand the importance of being active and ready. Observe pupils singing the song with actions and correctly identifying the horn to confirm successful learning.

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Second Term
Week: 4
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Pupils have learned and sung other simple songs and rhymes.
Topic: DINAH BLOW YOUR HORN
Subject Matter: DINAH BLOW YOUR HORN.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

Recite the rhyme “Dinah Blow Your Horn.”
Identify and mention at least two musical instruments.
State one moral lesson from the rhyme.

Affective Domain

Show enthusiasm while singing and dramatizing the song.
Appreciate the importance of waking up early and being active.

Psychomotor Domain

Dramatize the actions of blowing a horn and a train moving.
Clap and move to the rhythm of the song.

Participate actively in group singing and role-play activities.

Reference Materials

NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources

Instructional Materials

Picture of a railway
Pictures of various musical instruments (e.g., horn, drum, trumpet, guitar, piano)
A toy horn (if available)
Chart with the song lyrics

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils develop their language and listening skills through singing and reciting a familiar rhyme. It also introduces them to musical instruments and instils the value of punctuality and readiness for daily activities, connecting learning to their everyday experiences.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can sing simple songs and rhymes, identify some common objects, and understand basic instructions.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

DINAH BLOW YOUR HORN

The Song: Dinah Blow Your Horn

Tune: Traditional Children’s Song

Lyrics:

Dinah, blow your horn, blow your horn, blow your horn!
Dinah, blow your horn, for the train is coming!

Actions:

“Dinah, blow your horn”: Pretend to blow a horn by cupping hands to mouth.
“For the train is coming”: Move arms like train wheels or make a “chug-chug” motion.

Meaning of the Song

The song tells us that Dinah needs to blow her horn because something important is happening – the train is coming! It teaches us to be ready and active, just like Dinah needs to be ready to signal the train. Waking up early helps us prepare for the day.

Musical Instruments

Horn: A musical instrument that makes a loud sound when you blow into it. It can be used to signal or play music.
Drum: An instrument you hit with your hands or sticks to make a sound.
Trumpet: A brass instrument that makes a loud, clear sound when you blow into it.
Guitar: An instrument with strings that you pluck or strum to make music.

Moral Lesson

It is good to wake up early and be ready for the day’s activities.
We should be active and helpful.

Key Words

Dinah: A name of a person.
Horn: A musical instrument that makes a sound when blown.
Blow: To push air out of your mouth.
Train: A form of transport that moves on railway tracks.
Wake up: To stop sleeping.

Watch and Sing Along

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F014L2i-02o

💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary

How to teach the content: Begin by introducing the song title and asking pupils if they know what a horn is. Use the chart to present the lyrics, singing each line clearly and slowly. Explain the meaning of the song in simple terms, relating it to being ready and active. Show the picture of a railway and discuss what a train does.

What to show or demonstrate: Demonstrate the actions for the song (pretending to blow a horn, making train movements). Show pictures of a horn, drum, trumpet, and guitar, naming each one clearly and making their sounds if possible (e.g., “boom-boom” for drum). If a toy horn is available, let pupils see and touch it safely.

How to use the rhyme/song: Sing the song multiple times, encouraging pupils to join in. Start with the teacher singing, then guided group singing, and finally, pupils singing with actions. Emphasize the words “horn” and “train.”

How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to sing “Dinah Blow Your Horn.” Play the video once for pupils to watch and listen. Play it a second time, encouraging them to sing along and do the actions shown in the video. After watching, discuss what they saw and heard, reinforcing the musical instruments and the train.

What to watch for: Observe if pupils are attempting to sing the lyrics, performing the actions, and correctly identifying the horn and other instruments when shown pictures. Watch for their understanding of why Dinah blows the horn.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Storytelling, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Role-play, Imitation, 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 leads them in a short, familiar warm-up song. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Today, we are going to learn a fun song about ‘Dinah Blow Your Horn’!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing the warm-up song, and listen attentively to the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready for the lesson.

Step 2: Song Presentation

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Singing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays the song chart and sings “Dinah Blow Your Horn” clearly, demonstrating the actions for “blowing a horn” and “train coming.” The teacher sings it twice.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the song, observe the teacher’s actions, and try to follow along with simple movements.

Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the song and its actions.

Step 3: Understanding the Song

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks questions like, “What does Dinah do in the song?” and “Why does she blow her horn?” The teacher shows the picture of a railway and explains that the horn is a signal for the train.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer questions, point to the horn in the picture, and listen to the explanation about the train.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the main idea of the song.

Step 4: Identifying Musical Instruments

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identification/Naming

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays pictures of various musical instruments, focusing on the horn. The teacher names each instrument and asks pupils to repeat the names. The teacher encourages pupils to identify the horn among other instruments.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the pictures, repeat the names of the instruments, and point to the horn when asked.

Learning Point: Pupils identify and name some musical instruments, especially the horn.

Step 5: Role-play and Dramatization

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Movement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to stand up and dramatize the song. They pretend to blow a horn and make train movements while singing the song together. The teacher encourages energetic participation.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils stand up, sing the song, and perform the actions of blowing a horn and moving like a train.

Learning Point: Pupils physically engage with the song through role-play.

Step 6: Moral Lesson Discussion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Value Instillation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks, “What lesson can we learn from Dinah blowing her horn for the train?” The teacher explains that it’s good to wake up early and be ready for school or other activities, just like Dinah is ready for the train.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share their ideas and listen to the teacher explain the importance of waking up early and being active.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the importance of punctuality and readiness.

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.

“Can you sing ‘Dinah Blow Your Horn’ for me?”
“Show me how Dinah blows her horn.”
“What is this instrument called?” (Teacher points to a picture of a horn).
“Mention one other musical instrument you know.”
“Why is it good to wake up early?”

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

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarizing/Praise

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their active participation and good singing. The teacher briefly summarizes the lesson and encourages them to keep singing the song at home and remember to wake up early.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and respond to the praise.

Learning Point: Lesson is reinforced and concluded positively.

Lesson Keywords

Dinah – A name.
Horn – A musical instrument that is blown to make a sound.
Blow – To push air out.
Train – A vehicle that runs on railway tracks.
Musical instruments – Objects used to make music.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who struggle with singing, provide more repetition and use hand-over-hand guidance for actions. Allow them to simply point to the horn rather than naming it verbally.
Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to name more musical instruments they know or to create a new action for a line in the song. They can also explain in their own words why waking up early is important.