Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, ensure you have enough small, soft balls and several baskets ready. Arrange a clear, safe space in the classroom or playground for pupils to move freely. The central idea is for pupils to practise picking up balls, moving with them, and dropping them into a basket, developing their gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Observe if pupils can follow the instructions and participate safely in the activity.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 5
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Physical & Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Physical and Health Education
Previous Lesson: Simple movements and object manipulation.
Topic: Filling the Basket with Small Balls
Subject Matter: Filling the Basket with Small Balls.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify small balls and baskets.
- Understand the instruction “pick” and “drop.”
Affective Domain
- Show enthusiasm for playing with balls.
- Take turns when participating in the activity.
Psychomotor Domain
- Pick up small balls from the ground.
- Move with a ball in their hand towards a basket.
- Drop balls accurately into a basket.
Social Domain
- Participate cooperatively in a group activity.
- Share materials (balls and baskets) with peers.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3.
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources.
Instructional Materials
- Small, soft balls (e.g., plastic balls, foam balls).
- Several baskets or containers.
- A clear, open space (classroom or playground).
- Video display device (if using video).
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it helps develop essential gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. Engaging in activities like picking, moving, and dropping balls enhances their physical dexterity, ability to follow instructions, and promotes active, healthy play, which are crucial for their overall development.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can already perform basic movements like walking and running, and they have some experience with handling small objects.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
FILLING THE BASKET WITH SMALL BALLS
This activity teaches us how to pick up small balls, move with them, and put them into a basket. It is a fun way to move our bodies and use our hands and eyes together.
How to play:
- Pick up a small ball from the floor.
- Hold the ball and move (walk or run gently) towards a basket.
- Drop the ball into the basket.
- Go back to pick another ball and repeat!
Remember to be careful, don’t push your friends, and take turns.
Key Words
- Ball – A round object used for playing.
- Basket – A container used for holding things.
- Pick – To take something up from a surface.
- Drop – To let something fall.
- Race – To move quickly to a place or finish a task.
Movement Rhyme: “Pick and Drop the Ball”
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
Pick the ball, pick the ball,
From the ground, one and all.
Run to the basket, don’t you fall,
Drop it in, big and small.
Pick the ball, pick the ball,
Let’s have fun with every ball!
Actions: Mimic picking up a ball, walking/running in place, and dropping a ball into an imaginary basket.
Watch and Practise
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Explain the activity clearly using simple language. Emphasize the steps: pick, move, drop. Use real balls and baskets for demonstration. Encourage pupils to listen for instructions.
What to show or demonstrate: Place balls on the floor and a basket a short distance away. Demonstrate picking up a ball, walking quickly but safely to the basket, and dropping it in. Repeat the demonstration a few times.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Pick and Drop the Ball” rhyme after the initial demonstration. Sing it together with the pupils, encouraging them to perform the actions. Use it as a transition or a fun way to reinforce the steps of the activity. Repeat it several times throughout the lesson.
How to use the video: After pupils have had some initial practice, play the video “Ball and Basket Game for Toddlers” to provide another visual example of the activity. Ask pupils to observe how the children in the video pick up and drop the balls. Discuss what they saw and encourage them to try the movements themselves.
What to watch for: Observe pupils’ hand-eye coordination when picking and dropping, their ability to move safely with the ball, and their willingness to take turns. Ensure they understand the difference between picking up and dropping.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Practical Activity
- Question and Answer
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets pupils warmly and asks them if they like playing with balls. The teacher introduces the fun activity of “Filling the Basket with Small Balls.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, express excitement, and listen to the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready for the lesson.
Step 2: Explanation and Demonstration
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Instruction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the activity: “We will pick up small balls, move quickly to the basket, and drop them in.” The teacher then demonstrates the activity clearly, picking up a ball, moving to the basket, and dropping it in.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstration carefully and listen to the instructions.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the steps of the activity.
Step 3: Guided Practice (Picking and Moving)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Observation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher scatters some balls on the floor and asks pupils to pick up one ball each. The teacher then guides them to walk or run gently while holding the ball.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils pick up a ball and practise moving around the designated area while holding it.
Learning Point: Pupils practise picking up balls and moving safely with them.
Step 4: Guided Practice (Dropping into Basket)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Correction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher places baskets at a short distance and instructs pupils to move towards a basket and drop their ball inside. The teacher provides gentle correction and encouragement.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils move with their balls and drop them into the baskets, then return to pick another ball if time permits.
Learning Point: Pupils practise dropping balls accurately into a target.
Step 5: Game Activity: “Ball Race”
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Encouragement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher organises a simple “ball race” game. Pupils line up, and one by one, they pick a ball, race to the basket, drop it, and return. The teacher emphasizes fun and safety, not speed.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns participating in the “ball race,” picking, moving, and dropping balls into the basket.
Learning Point: Pupils apply the learned skills in a fun, active game.
Step 6: Rhyme and Reinforcement
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Singing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing the “Pick and Drop the Ball” rhyme with actions. The teacher may play the video again for visual reinforcement.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing along with the rhyme and perform the actions, reinforcing the lesson’s movements.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce learning through song and movement.
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 did we learn to do with the balls today?”
- “Can you show me how to pick up a ball?”
- “Can you show me how to drop a ball into the basket?”
- “Why is it important to be careful when moving with balls?”
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: Summary/Praise
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their participation and effort. The teacher reminds them to always play safely and helps them gather the balls and baskets.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils tidy up the materials and listen to the teacher’s concluding remarks.
Learning Point: Pupils conclude the lesson positively and practise tidiness.
Lesson Keywords
- Ball – A round object used for playing.
- Basket – A container used for holding things.
- Pick – To take something up from a surface.
- Drop – To let something fall.
- Race – To move quickly to a place or finish a task.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who find it difficult, provide larger, lighter balls and place the baskets closer. Offer hand-over-hand guidance for picking and dropping. Encourage them to walk slowly.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, challenge them to move in different ways (e.g., hopping, tiptoeing) while holding the ball, or to count the balls as they drop them into the basket.
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