Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare five real balloons of different colours if possible, or clear pictures of them. The central idea for pupils is to learn and recite the “Five Balloons” rhyme, understand why safety around balloons is important, and state at least one safety rule. Observe pupils as they recite the rhyme with actions and explain a simple safety precaution.
Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Second Term
Week: 8
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Songs and Rhymes
Previous Lesson: Reciting simple rhymes about common objects.
Topic: FIVE BALLOONS: SAFETY RULES AND RECITATION PRACTICE
Subject Matter: FIVE BALLOONS. Weekly focus: Five Balloons: Safety Rules and Recitation Practice.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Recite the “Five Balloons” rhyme.
- Identify five balloons by counting.
- State at least one safety rule for playing with balloons.
Affective Domain
- Show enjoyment while singing and performing actions for the rhyme.
- Appreciate the importance of being careful and safe when playing.
Psychomotor Domain
- Perform simple actions corresponding to the rhyme.
- Demonstrate careful handling of a balloon.
Social Domain
- Participate actively in group recitation of the rhyme.
- Share ideas about how to play safely.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
- Early Childhood Care and Education curriculum resources
Instructional Materials
- Five real balloons (different colours if available)
- Picture cards showing balloons
- Picture cards illustrating simple safety rules (e.g., child not putting a balloon in mouth, adult supervision)
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps Pre-School Level 4 pupils develop language skills through rhyme and rhythm. It also introduces crucial safety awareness in a fun, engaging way, teaching them to be responsible while playing with common objects like balloons. Understanding safety rules at an early age helps prevent accidents and promotes healthy habits.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can count to five, recognise some colours, and have recited other simple rhymes in class. They also have a basic understanding of listening to adults for safety.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
FIVE BALLOONS: SAFETY RULES AND RECITATION PRACTICE
Counting and Colour Rhyme: Five Balloons
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” (or a simple, familiar tune)
Lyrics:
Five little balloons, so round and bright,
One is red, one is white.
One is blue, one is green,
One is yellow, a pretty scene.
Five little balloons, let’s keep them safe,
No putting in mouth, no silly chase!
Actions:
- “Five little balloons”: Hold up five fingers.
- “so round and bright”: Make a circle with hands.
- “One is red, one is white…” Point to or show balloons of corresponding colours.
- “let’s keep them safe”: Hug self gently.
- “No putting in mouth”: Shake head and point to mouth.
- “no silly chase!”: Shake finger gently.
Balloon Safety Rules
When playing with balloons, we must be careful:
- Do not put balloons or broken pieces in your mouth. They can cause choking.
- Always play with balloons under adult supervision. An adult should watch you.
- Do not pop balloons near your face or ears. The loud sound can hurt.
- Do not let go of balloons outside. They can fly away and become litter.
- Throw away broken balloon pieces immediately. Ask an adult to help.
Key Words
- Balloons – colourful, air-filled toys.
- Safety – being careful to prevent harm or danger.
- Careful – paying attention to avoid mistakes or danger.
- Recite – to say a poem or rhyme aloud from memory.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce the topic by showing the actual balloons. Ask pupils what they are and what colours they see. Lead them in counting the balloons. Explain that today’s lesson is about a rhyme with balloons and how to play safely with them.
What to show or demonstrate: Display the five balloons. Point to each balloon as you say its colour. For safety rules, use the balloons to demonstrate (e.g., gently tapping a balloon, showing how *not* to put it in the mouth, showing an adult watching). Use picture cards to reinforce the safety points visually.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Five Balloons” rhyme. Sing it slowly first, demonstrating the actions. Repeat it several times, encouraging pupils to join in with both the words and the actions. Gradually increase the pace as pupils become more familiar. Use the rhyme as a fun way to count and remember colours, and to introduce the idea of safety.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are engaging with the rhyme and actions. Pay attention to their understanding of the safety rules – can they explain why a rule is important in simple terms? Correct any misconceptions about balloon safety gently but firmly.
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/Motivation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and brings out five colourful balloons. The teacher asks, “What do I have here?” and “What colours are these balloons?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions, identifying the balloons and naming the colours they see.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the lesson topic and materials, sparking their interest.
Step 2: Introducing the Rhyme
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Modelling/Oral Presentation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the “Five Balloons” rhyme. The teacher recites the rhyme clearly and slowly, demonstrating the actions for each line while showing the actual balloons.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the rhyme and observe the teacher’s actions and the balloons.
Learning Point: Pupils become familiar with the sound and rhythm of the new rhyme.
Step 3: Guided Recitation of the Rhyme
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Repetition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the rhyme again, encouraging pupils to join in with the words and actions. The teacher provides support and prompts as needed.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to recite the rhyme along with the teacher, performing the actions for counting and colours.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to memorise the rhyme and coordinate actions with words.
Step 4: Discussing Balloon Safety Rules
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that while balloons are fun, we must play with them safely. Using the balloons and picture cards, the teacher introduces simple safety rules, such as “Do not put balloons in your mouth” and “Always play with an adult watching.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the safety rules, look at the picture cards, and discuss why each rule is important in simple terms.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the importance of safety when playing with balloons and learn specific rules.
Step 5: Practising Safety and Recitation
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Application/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to recite the rhyme again, focusing on the last two lines about keeping balloons safe. The teacher then asks individual pupils to state one safety rule they remember.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils recite the rhyme with actions and take turns stating a balloon safety rule in their own words.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their memory of the rhyme and their understanding of safety rules through active participation.
Step 6: Individual Recitation and Safety Check
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Individual Assessment/Feedback
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher invites a few pupils to recite the rhyme individually or in small groups. The teacher also asks pupils to demonstrate or explain one way to play safely with a balloon.
Pupils’ Activity: Selected pupils recite parts of the rhyme and demonstrate or explain a safety rule.
Learning Point: Pupils gain confidence in reciting and expressing safety knowledge individually.
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.
- “How many balloons did we sing about today?” (Show fingers)
- “Can you say one line from our ‘Five Balloons’ rhyme?”
- “What is one important thing we must remember when playing with balloons to stay safe?”
- (Show a picture of a child putting a balloon in their mouth) “Is this safe or unsafe? Why?”
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: Summarisation/Closure
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and good listening. The teacher reminds them to always be careful and safe when playing, especially with balloons. The class sings the “Five Balloons” rhyme one last time.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils join in the final recitation of the rhyme and acknowledge the importance of safety.
Learning Point: Pupils leave the lesson with a reinforced understanding of the rhyme and safety message.
Lesson Keywords
- Balloons – colourful, air-filled toys.
- Safety – being careful to prevent harm or danger.
- Careful – paying attention to avoid mistakes or danger.
- Recite – to say a poem or rhyme aloud from memory.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle with memorisation, use more repetition and focus on just the first few lines of the rhyme. Provide hand-over-hand guidance for actions. Use larger, clearer pictures for safety rules and ask them to simply point to the safe action.
- Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to identify more colours of balloons or to create a new action for a line in the rhyme. Ask them to explain in more detail why a particular safety rule is important or to suggest another way to play safely with balloons.
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