Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, ensure you have clear pictures of birds and the rhyme chart ready. The central idea for pupils is to learn the rhyme, count from five to zero, and associate the numbers with the birds. Encourage active participation through singing, actions, and role-play. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can recite the rhyme with actions and identify the birds.
Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Third Term
Week: 2
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Learning and reciting simple rhymes and songs.
Topic: FIVE LITTLE BIRDS
Subject Matter: FIVE LITTLE BIRDS.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify pictures of birds.
- Count from five to zero using the rhyme.
- Recite the rhyme “Five Little Birds.”
Affective Domain
- Enjoy singing and participating in the rhyme.
- Appreciate birds as part of nature.
Psychomotor Domain
- Perform actions for the rhyme, such as flapping arms like birds.
- Role-play birds flying away.
Social Domain
- Participate actively in group recitation.
- Share simple observations about birds.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4.
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources.
Instructional Materials
- Picture cards of five different birds.
- Chart with the rhyme “Five Little Birds.”
- Finger puppets or cut-outs of five birds (optional).
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps 5-year-old pupils develop early literacy skills through rhyme and rhythm, while also reinforcing counting concepts from five to zero. It encourages observation of nature, promotes language development, and allows for creative expression through actions and role-play, all of which are crucial for holistic early childhood development.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can already recognise some common animals, count a few numbers, and enjoy listening to and participating in simple songs and rhymes.Lesson Content/Board Summary
FIVE LITTLE BIRDS
Birds are animals that have feathers, wings, and usually fly. They live in nests, often in trees. We are learning a rhyme about five little birds.The Rhyme: Five Little Birds
Tune: “Five Little Ducks” (or a simple chant)
Lyrics:
Five little birds, sitting in a tree,
One flew away, then there were four, you see.
Four little birds, sitting in a tree,
One flew away, then there were three, you see.
Three little birds, sitting in a tree,
One flew away, then there were two, you see.
Two little birds, sitting in a tree,
One flew away, then there was one, you see.
One little bird, sitting in a tree,
It flew away, then there were none, you see.
Actions: Use five fingers to represent the birds, putting one finger down each time a bird flies away. Flap arms like birds when they fly.
Lessons from the Rhyme
- We learn to count from five to zero.
- We observe how things change when one goes away.
- We appreciate birds and their ability to fly.
Watch and Practise
Key Words
- Birds – Animals with feathers and wings that fly.
- Five – The number after four.
- Fly – To move through the air with wings.
- Tree – A tall plant with a trunk and branches.
- None – Zero, not any.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Begin by showing pictures of birds and asking pupils what they know about them. Introduce the concept of five birds. Read the rhyme slowly, pointing to words or pictures on the chart. Emphasise the counting down from five to zero.
What to show or demonstrate: Display the picture cards of birds. Use your fingers to count five, then four, three, two, one, and zero as you recite the rhyme. Demonstrate the flapping arm actions for flying birds.
How to use the rhyme/song: Recite the rhyme several times, first slowly, then at a normal pace. Encourage pupils to join in with the words and actions. Repeat the rhyme as many times as needed for pupils to become familiar and confident. Use the finger counting and arm flapping actions throughout.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as another way to see and hear the “Five Little Birds” rhyme. Play the video once for pupils to watch, then play it again and encourage them to sing along and do the actions. Discuss what they saw in the video afterwards, reinforcing the counting and bird actions.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are counting correctly with their fingers and performing the actions. Listen for their participation in reciting the rhyme. Check if they can identify birds from the pictures.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Role-play, Imitation, Repetition.Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads them in a short “Good Morning” song. The teacher then asks pupils if they like birds and what sounds birds make.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and imitate bird sounds (e.g., “chirp, chirp”).
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready for the lesson, connecting to familiar animals.
Step 2: Identifying and Describing Birds
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Observation/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays pictures of five different birds. The teacher asks pupils to identify the birds and describes simple features like wings, feathers, and flying.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils point to and name the birds they recognise. They listen to the descriptions.
Learning Point: Pupils identify birds and learn simple facts about them.
Step 3: Introducing the Rhyme
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Modelling/Recitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the rhyme “Five Little Birds” by showing the rhyme chart. The teacher recites the rhyme clearly and slowly, using five fingers to count the birds and putting one down each time a bird flies away.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and observe the teacher’s finger counting.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the rhyme and the concept of counting down.
Step 4: Reciting with Actions
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Imitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the rhyme again, this time adding simple actions like flapping arms for flying and using fingers for counting. The teacher encourages pupils to imitate the actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils try to recite the rhyme along with the teacher, performing the actions and counting with their fingers.
Learning Point: Pupils practise the rhyme with actions, enhancing memorisation and motor skills.
Step 5: Group Recitation and Role-Play
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Collaborative Learning/Role-play
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides pupils into small groups or uses finger puppets/cut-outs of birds. The teacher guides the pupils to recite the rhyme together, taking turns to “fly away” or put down a finger. The teacher reinforces the counting.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils recite the rhyme in groups, counting down and role-playing the birds flying away.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce counting and rhyme recitation through group activity and role-play.
Step 6: Video Reinforcement
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Learning/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the “Five Little Birds” video. After the video, the teacher asks pupils what they saw and what the birds were doing. The teacher leads a final group recitation of the rhyme.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video, respond to questions, and sing along with the rhyme.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding and enjoyment of the rhyme through visual and auditory input.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- “Can you show me a picture of a bird?”
- “Let’s count to five using our fingers.”
- “Can you recite the rhyme ‘Five Little Birds’?”
- “What did we learn from the rhyme?” (e.g., counting, birds fly, things change).
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 effort. The teacher reminds them to keep singing the rhyme and observing birds around them. The teacher leads a closing song.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to praise and participate in the closing song.
Learning Point: Pupils leave the lesson feeling accomplished and encouraged.
Lesson Keywords
- Birds – Animals with feathers and wings that fly.
- Five – The number after four.
- Fly – To move through the air with wings.
- Tree – A tall plant with a trunk and branches.
- Count – To say numbers in order.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who are struggling, the teacher can provide more one-on-one repetition of the rhyme, use hand-over-hand guidance for actions, or focus only on counting to three.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, the teacher can ask them to draw five birds, count other objects to five, or create their own simple actions for the rhyme.
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