Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare a variety of clear pictures or flashcards of both domestic and wild animals. The central idea for pupils to grasp is the difference in safety and habitat: domestic animals are safe and live with us, while wild animals are dangerous and live in the wild. Observe pupils’ ability to correctly classify animals and articulate simple reasons for keeping domestic animals.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 6
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Basic Science and Technology
Curriculum Theme: Basic Science and Technology
Previous Lesson: Meaning and Examples of Pets and How to Care
Topic: ANIMALS: DOMESTIC AND WILD ANIMALS
Subject Matter: Domestic and wild animals and differences between them.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify and name at least three domestic animals.
- Identify and name at least three wild animals.
- State one difference between domestic and wild animals (e.g., friendly vs. dangerous).
- Give a simple reason why domestic animals are kept at home.
Affective Domain
- Show interest in learning about different types of animals.
- Express caution towards wild animals.
Psychomotor Domain
- Point to pictures of domestic and wild animals correctly.
- Sort animal pictures into “domestic” and “wild” categories.
Social Domain
- Participate actively in classroom discussions about animals.
Reference Materials
NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3, Early Childhood Care and Education resources.
Instructional Materials
Charts showing pictures of various domestic and wild animals, flashcards of individual animals (e.g., dog, cat, goat, chicken, cow, lion, tiger, elephant, snake, monkey), a video clip on domestic and wild animals.
Rationale for the Lesson
Understanding the difference between domestic and wild animals is crucial for young children’s safety and their awareness of the world around them. This lesson helps pupils recognise animals they might encounter and learn to distinguish between those that are safe to be near and those that are not, fostering a sense of responsibility and caution.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have seen various animals in their environment, in books, or on television, and can recognise some common animals by name.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Domestic and Wild Animals and Differences Between Them
Domestic Animals
Domestic animals are animals that are friendly and live with humans, usually around our homes or on farms. They are safe to be around and can be very helpful or provide companionship.
- Examples: Dog, Cat, Goat, Chicken, Cow, Sheep, Horse, Rabbit.
- Why we keep them:
- Dogs protect our homes.
- Cats catch rats.
- Goats and cows give us milk and meat.
- Chickens give us eggs and meat.
Wild Animals
Wild animals are animals that are dangerous and live freely in forests, jungles, or other natural habitats, far away from human homes. They are not safe for humans to be near.
- Examples: Lion, Tiger, Elephant, Snake, Monkey, Zebra, Giraffe, Bear.
Differences Between Domestic and Wild Animals
- Domestic Animals:
- Friendly and safe.
- Live with humans (at home or on farms).
- Can be trained.
- Give us food, protection, or companionship.
- Wild Animals:
- Dangerous and unsafe.
- Live in the wild (forests, jungles).
- Cannot be easily trained.
- Live independently without human help.
Key Words
- Domestic – Animals that are friendly and live with people.
- Wild – Animals that are dangerous and live in the forest.
- Friendly – Kind and safe to be with.
- Dangerous – Can hurt you.
- Home – Where people live.
- Forest – A large area with many trees where wild animals live.
Animal Friends Rhyme
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
Animals, animals, big and small,
Some live with us, we love them all.
Dog and cat, goat and hen,
Domestic friends, again and again!
Lion, tiger, in the wild,
Stay far away, my little child!
Wild animals, strong and free,
Not for home, you see!
Actions: Point to self for “us”, hug self for “love”, point to pictures for examples, shake head for “far away”, make ‘no’ gesture for “not for home”.
Watch and Learn About Animals
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Use the charts and flashcards to introduce each animal type. Show a picture, name the animal, and then explain if it’s domestic or wild, giving simple reasons. Emphasize the “friendly/safe” vs. “dangerous/unsafe” aspect. Encourage pupils to repeat the names and key characteristics.
What to show or demonstrate: Display pictures of various animals. For domestic animals, point out their features and uses. For wild animals, highlight their habitat and the need for caution. Draw a simple distinction on the board or chart: one side for “Home Animals” and the other for “Forest Animals.”
How to use the rhyme/song: Teach the “Animal Friends Rhyme” line by line, demonstrating the actions. Sing it together several times to reinforce the concepts of domestic and wild animals and their characteristics. Encourage pupils to join in with the actions.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see more animals. Play the short, verified YouTube video (e.g., “Domestic Animals vs Wild Animals | Difference Between Domestic Animals and Wild Animals | Kids Learning” by Kids Learning Tube). After watching, ask pupils to name some animals they saw and say if they were domestic or wild, reinforcing the video’s content.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils can correctly classify animals and articulate simple reasons for keeping domestic animals. Watch for any confusion between friendly and dangerous animals.
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: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to name any animals they have seen at home or in pictures. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Today, we will learn about two kinds of animals: domestic animals and wild animals!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by naming animals they know (e.g., dog, cat, lion). They listen attentively to the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils recall prior knowledge of animals and are introduced to the lesson topic.
Step 2: Presentation of Domestic Animals
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of domestic animals (e.g., dog, cat, goat, chicken, cow). The teacher explains that these are “domestic animals” because they are friendly, safe, and live with us at home or on farms. The teacher asks pupils why we keep some of these animals (e.g., “Why do we keep a dog?”).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the pictures, repeat the names of the animals, and attempt to give simple reasons for keeping them (e.g., “Dog barks,” “Cow gives milk”).
Learning Point: Pupils identify domestic animals and understand they are friendly and useful.
Step 3: Presentation of Wild Animals
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of wild animals (e.g., lion, tiger, elephant, snake, monkey). The teacher explains that these are “wild animals” because they are dangerous and live in the forest, not with humans. The teacher emphasizes that we should not go near wild animals.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the pictures, repeat the names of the wild animals, and show understanding that they are dangerous.
Learning Point: Pupils identify wild animals and understand they are dangerous and live in the wild.
Step 4: Discussing Differences and Reasons
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Comparison/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses the charts to compare domestic and wild animals, highlighting key differences (friendly vs. dangerous, home vs. forest). The teacher asks pupils to give more reasons why domestic animals are kept at home (e.g., “What do we get from a chicken?”).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils point to animals, state simple differences, and give reasons for keeping domestic animals (e.g., “Eggs,” “Meat,” “Milk”).
Learning Point: Pupils understand the main differences between domestic and wild animals and can give reasons for keeping domestic animals.
Step 5: Rhyme and Video Reinforcement
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Sensory Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Animal Friends Rhyme” with actions. Afterwards, the teacher plays a short, age-appropriate video clip about domestic and wild animals.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the video attentively, pointing to animals they recognise.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding through song and visual media.
Step 6: Grouping Activity
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Practical Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher lays out various animal flashcards. The teacher asks pupils to come forward one by one to pick an animal card and place it under the “Domestic Animals” or “Wild Animals” section on a prepared chart or mat.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns picking animal cards and sorting them into the correct categories.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate their ability to classify animals into domestic and wild categories.
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.
- “Name one domestic animal.”
- “Name one wild animal.”
- “Is a dog a domestic or wild animal?”
- “Why do we keep chickens at home?”
- “Show me a picture of a dangerous animal.”
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: Summary
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly recaps that some animals are our friends and live with us (domestic), while others are dangerous and live in the forest (wild). The teacher reminds pupils to be safe around animals.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and repeat key points about being safe.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and understand the safety message.
Lesson Keywords
- Domestic – Animals that are friendly and live with people.
- Wild – Animals that are dangerous and live in the forest.
- Friendly – Kind and safe to be with.
- Dangerous – Can hurt you.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who need extra help, provide larger pictures, fewer choices during sorting activities, and more one-on-one repetition of animal names and categories. Use hand gestures to indicate “friendly” (patting) and “dangerous” (shaking head).
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concepts quickly, ask them to name more examples of domestic and wild animals. Encourage them to say a simple sentence about what a domestic animal provides (e.g., “The cow gives milk.”) or where a wild animal lives.
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