Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before this lesson, prepare a small bell and a clear picture of a cat. The central idea is for pupils to learn the “Ding Dong Bell” rhyme, understand the moral lesson about the consequences of being naughty versus the importance of helping, and demonstrate these values through discussion and role-play. Observe if pupils can recite the rhyme and discuss the good and bad actions of the characters.

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Third Term
Week: 8
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Songs and Rhymes
Previous Lesson: Learning and reciting simple action rhymes
Topic: DING DONG BELL
Subject Matter: DING DONG BELL.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

Recite the “Ding Dong Bell” rhyme correctly.
State the consequences of naughtiness as depicted in the rhyme.
Identify the importance of helping others.

Affective Domain

Appreciate the moral lesson of kindness and helpfulness.
Show empathy towards others, like Pussy Cat in the rhyme.

Psychomotor Domain

Perform simple actions or role-play parts of the rhyme.
Participate in singing the rhyme with appropriate gestures.

Discuss the importance of good behaviour and helping friends.
Take turns during role-play activities.

Reference Materials

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

Instructional Materials

A small bell (real or toy)
Picture card of a cat
Chart with the “Ding Dong Bell” rhyme lyrics

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for 5-year-olds as it enhances their language development, memory, and rhythm through a familiar rhyme. Beyond language, it introduces crucial social-emotional concepts like the consequences of negative actions (naughtiness) and the value of positive actions (helping others), fostering empathy and good social habits from an early age.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can already recite some simple rhymes and understand basic concepts of good and bad actions. They are familiar with common animals like cats.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

DING DONG BELL

“Ding Dong Bell” is a popular nursery rhyme that teaches children about actions and their consequences, as well as the importance of kindness and helping others.

Lyrics:

Ding dong bell,
Pussy’s in the well.
Who put her in?
Little Johnny Green.
Who pulled her out?
Little Tommy Stout.
What a naughty boy was that,
To try and drown poor Pussy Cat,
Who never did him any harm,
But caught all the mice in the farmer’s barn.

Moral Lesson from “Ding Dong Bell”

Naughtiness has consequences: Little Johnny Green was naughty for putting Pussy Cat in the well. This caused Pussy Cat harm and made her sad. Being naughty can hurt others.
It is good to help others: Little Tommy Stout was kind and helpful because he pulled Pussy Cat out of the well. Helping others in need is a good thing to do.
Be kind to animals: Animals are living things and deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. Pussy Cat was helpful by catching mice and did not deserve to be treated badly.

Watch and Sing Along

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5j4c9y3Vf4

Key Words

Bell – A hollow object, often made of metal, that makes a ringing sound when struck.
Pussy Cat – A friendly name for a cat.
Well – A deep hole in the ground from which water can be drawn.
Naughty – Behaving badly or disobediently.
Help – To do something that makes it easier for someone to do something, or to assist someone in need.

💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary

How to teach the content: Begin by showing the bell and making its sound to introduce the rhyme. Display the cat picture and ask pupils what they know about cats. Introduce the rhyme using the chart, reading it line by line. Explain the meaning of “well” using simple words or by showing a picture if available. After reciting, discuss the actions of Little Johnny Green and Little Tommy Stout, guiding pupils to identify who was naughty and who was helpful.

What to show or demonstrate: Show the bell and ring it. Show the picture of the cat. Point to words on the rhyme chart as you read them. Demonstrate simple actions for the rhyme, like pretending to ring a bell or making a sad face for Pussy Cat.

How to use the rhyme/song: Recite the rhyme clearly and slowly first. Then, invite pupils to join in, repeating lines after you. Gradually increase the speed and encourage them to sing along. Use actions to make it more engaging. Repeat the rhyme several times throughout the lesson.

How to use the video: Introduce the video by telling pupils they will watch the rhyme. Play the video once for enjoyment. Play it again, encouraging pupils to sing along and perform the actions they see. After watching, ask questions like, “What did Little Johnny Green do?” and “What did Little Tommy Stout do?” to reinforce the story and moral.

What to watch for: Observe if pupils are able to follow the rhyme and identify the main characters. Pay attention to their understanding of “naughty” and “helpful” and their ability to explain why certain actions were good or bad. Encourage all pupils to participate, especially during role-play.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them if they like bells. The teacher rings a bell and asks, “What sound does a bell make?” The teacher then shows a picture of a cat and asks, “What animal is this? What sound does a cat make?” The teacher tells pupils they will learn a rhyme about a bell and a cat.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, listen to the bell sound, identify the animal, and respond to questions about the bell and cat.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the theme of the lesson.

Step 2: Presentation of the Rhyme

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays the chart with the “Ding Dong Bell” rhyme. The teacher recites the entire rhyme clearly and slowly, pointing to the words. The teacher explains new words like “well” using simple language or a picture. The teacher asks, “What happened to Pussy Cat?” and “Who put her in?” (This serves as an initial assessment of prior knowledge as per the seed).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the rhyme and try to follow along. They answer initial questions about the rhyme’s content.

Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the rhyme and its story.

Step 3: Guided Recitation

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Repetition/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the rhyme again, line by line, encouraging pupils to repeat each line after her. The teacher uses simple hand actions to accompany the rhyme. The teacher repeats the rhyme several times with the pupils.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat the rhyme lines after the teacher, trying to follow the rhythm and actions.

Learning Point: Pupils begin to memorise the rhyme and its sequence.

Step 4: Role-play the Rhyme

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Role-play/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher assigns simple roles to pupils (e.g., one pupil to ring the bell, one to be Pussy Cat, one to be Little Johnny Green, one to be Little Tommy Stout). The teacher guides them to act out the rhyme as it is recited. The teacher encourages pupils to show emotions (Pussy Cat being sad, Johnny being sneaky, Tommy being helpful).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take on assigned roles and act out the rhyme, showing appropriate actions and emotions.

Learning Point: Pupils physically engage with the rhyme, deepening their understanding of the story and characters.

Step 5: Discussing the Moral Lesson (Naughtiness)

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Moral Reasoning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks, “Who was naughty in the rhyme?” “What did Little Johnny Green do?” “Was it a good thing to put Pussy Cat in the well? Why not?” The teacher explains that being naughty can hurt others and make them sad.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify Little Johnny Green as naughty and explain why his action was bad. They discuss the consequences of being naughty.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of naughtiness and its negative impact.

Step 6: Discussing the Moral Lesson (Helpfulness)

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Value Clarification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks, “Who helped Pussy Cat?” “What did Little Tommy Stout do?” “Was it a good thing to pull Pussy Cat out? Why?” The teacher emphasizes the importance of always helping others and being kind, just like Little Tommy Stout.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify Little Tommy Stout as helpful and explain why his action was good. They state the need to always help others.

Learning Point: Pupils learn the importance of kindness and helping others.

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.

“Let’s recite the ‘Ding Dong Bell’ rhyme together one more time.”
“Who was naughty in the rhyme?”
“What did the naughty boy do to Pussy Cat?”
“Who helped Pussy Cat?”
“Why is it important to always help others?”

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: Summarisation/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them to always be kind and helpful, never naughty. The teacher leads the pupils in singing the rhyme one last time.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme and acknowledge the moral lesson.

Learning Point: The lesson’s key messages are reinforced.

Lesson Keywords

Bell – An object that makes a ringing sound.
Pussy Cat – A cat.
Well – A deep hole for water.
Naughty – Doing something bad.
Help – To assist someone.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who struggle to memorise, the teacher can use more repetition, break the rhyme into shorter phrases, and use exaggerated actions. Pair them with a stronger peer during role-play.
Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the rhyme and moral, the teacher can ask them to suggest other ways Little Johnny Green could have been kind to Pussy Cat or to name other situations where they can help someone at home or school.