Free Expression, Independent Drawing with Confidence for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Second Term
Week: 7
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Creativity
Curriculum Theme: Creativity
Previous Lesson: Drawing and colouring familiar objects.
Topic: FREE EXPRESSION: INDEPENDENT DRAWING WITH CONFIDENCE
Subject Matter: Free Expression: Independent Drawing with Confidence.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify that they can draw anything they imagine.
• Name some objects they can draw independently.

Affective Domain

• Show confidence in their own drawing abilities.
• Express joy and satisfaction with their independent drawings.

Psychomotor Domain

• Draw an object of their choice independently.
• Colour their drawings neatly within the lines.

Social Domain

• Participate actively in the drawing activity.
• Share their drawings with classmates.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
• Early Childhood Care and Education curriculum resources
• Suitable early-years creativity workbook

Instructional Materials

• Drawing paper
• Pencils
• Crayons
• Examples of simple drawings (optional, for inspiration)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for 5-year-olds as it fosters self-expression and builds confidence in their creative abilities. Encouraging independent drawing allows children to develop their imagination, fine motor skills, and a sense of accomplishment, which are crucial for their overall development.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have previously engaged in guided drawing activities and have experience with holding pencils and crayons to colour pictures. They can recognise various familiar objects around them.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

FREE EXPRESSION: INDEPENDENT DRAWING WITH CONFIDENCE

Free expression in drawing means you can draw anything you like, using your own ideas and imagination. There is no right or wrong way when you are expressing yourself!

Independent drawing with confidence means you feel good about drawing by yourself, without needing someone to tell you exactly what to draw or how to draw it. You can choose what to draw and be proud of your work.

How to Draw Anything You Like:

1. Think of something you love: It could be your favourite animal, a toy, your house, a tree, a car, or even a person.
2. Start with simple shapes: Most things can be made from circles, squares, triangles, and lines.
3. Don’t worry about mistakes: Every drawing is special! Just try your best.
4. Add details: Once you have the main shape, add eyes, ears, windows, wheels, or patterns.
5. Colour it nicely: Use your crayons to make your drawing bright and beautiful. Try to stay inside the lines.

Key Words

• Draw – to make a picture with a pencil or crayon.
• Colour – to fill in a drawing with different colours.
• Express – to show your feelings or ideas.
• Confident – feeling sure of yourself and your abilities.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

The teacher should:

• Hold up a blank sheet of paper and say, “This is your space to create!”
• Quickly draw a few very simple, abstract shapes (e.g., a squiggle, a circle, a few lines) and turn them into something simple (e.g., a face, a flower) to show how imagination works, without dictating a specific object.
• Show an example of a child’s free drawing (if available) or a simple, colourful drawing that looks like a child made it, to inspire pupils.
• Demonstrate how to hold a pencil and crayon correctly for comfortable drawing and colouring.

Our Drawing Song

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:

Paper ready, pencil too,
Draw a picture, just for you.
What you think, what you see,
Draw it freely, happily.
Circles, lines, and colours bright,
Drawing makes our hearts feel light!

Actions:

• “Paper ready, pencil too”: Hold up hands as if holding paper and pencil.
• “Draw a picture, just for you”: Make drawing motions in the air.
• “What you think, what you see”: Point to head, then point forward.
• “Draw it freely, happily”: Make big, sweeping drawing motions with a smile.
• “Circles, lines, and colours bright”: Draw circles and lines in the air, then wiggle fingers like bright colours.
• “Drawing makes our hearts feel light!”: Place hand on heart and smile.

How to use the rhyme: Sing this song before starting the drawing activity to encourage pupils to use their imagination and feel good about their drawing. Repeat it during the activity if pupils need a boost of confidence.

Watch and Imagine

The teacher will show a short video to inspire pupils to use their imagination for drawing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYJ400s_L0I

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Practical Activity, Encouragement.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Motivation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what they love to do with pencils and crayons. “Who likes to draw? What do you like to draw?” The teacher introduces the idea of drawing anything they want, using their own ideas.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions, sharing their favourite drawing activities and ideas.

Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the concept of free drawing and feel excited about the activity.

Step 2: Explaining Free Expression

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Clarifying

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains “free expression” and “independent drawing with confidence” in simple terms, emphasizing that there are no rules for what they draw today. “Today, you are the boss of your paper! You can draw anything your heart desires.” The teacher shows a blank paper and says it’s like a magic window to their imagination.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and understand that they can draw anything they choose.

Learning Point: Pupils grasp the meaning of free expression and independent drawing.

Step 3: Inspiration and Ideas

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Inspiring/Prompting

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a short discussion, asking pupils to close their eyes for a moment and think of something they love. “What comes to your mind? A big sun? A happy cat? Your favourite fruit?” The teacher then plays the “Watch and Imagine” video to further inspire their creativity.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils close their eyes, think of ideas, and then watch the video, getting ideas for their drawings.

Learning Point: Pupils generate ideas for their independent drawings.

Step 4: Rhyme and Preparation

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcing/Organising

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing “Our Drawing Song” to get them excited and ready. Then, the teacher distributes drawing paper, pencils, and crayons, reminding them to handle materials carefully.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the song with actions and collect their drawing materials.

Learning Point: Pupils are mentally and physically prepared for the drawing activity.

Step 5: Independent Drawing Activity

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitating/Observing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher encourages pupils to start drawing anything they wish. The teacher walks around, offering gentle encouragement, praising effort and creativity (“That’s a wonderful idea!”, “I love how you are using your imagination!”), and reminding them to colour neatly.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils draw their chosen objects independently and begin to colour them.

Learning Point: Pupils practise independent drawing and colouring with confidence.

Step 6: Sharing and Appreciation

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Encouraging/Sharing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks a few pupils to briefly show their drawings to the class and tell everyone what they drew. The teacher praises each child’s effort and unique creation, reinforcing that every drawing is special.

Pupils’ Activity: A few pupils share their drawings and explain what they drew. All pupils appreciate each other’s work.

Learning Point: Pupils gain confidence by sharing their work and appreciating others’.

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.

1. “What did you draw today?” (Asking individual pupils)
2. “Did you draw it all by yourself, using your own ideas?”
3. “Did you feel happy and confident while drawing?”
4. The teacher observes each pupil’s drawing for independence and effort in colouring.

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: Summarising/Closing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises all pupils for their wonderful independent drawings and encourages them to keep drawing and expressing themselves at home. “Remember, you are all amazing artists!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils tidy up their materials and express their happiness about drawing.

Learning Point: Pupils feel a sense of accomplishment and are encouraged to continue being creative.

Lesson Keywords

• Draw – to make a picture using lines and colours.
• Colour – to add different shades to a drawing.
• Express – to show what you feel or think through art.
• Confidence – believing in yourself and your abilities.
• Independent – doing something by yourself without help.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle to start, the teacher can offer a very simple prompt like “Draw something round” or “Draw something that flies,” without dictating the specific object. Provide larger crayons for easier grip. Offer hand-over-hand guidance for initial lines if needed.
• Extension: For pupils who finish quickly, encourage them to add a background to their drawing, draw another object, or use more colours and patterns in their existing drawing. Ask them to tell a short story about their drawing.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Prepare drawing paper, pencils, and a variety of crayons in advance. The main goal of this lesson is to foster self-expression and confidence, so focus on praising effort and creativity rather than perfection. Avoid correcting a child’s drawing or telling them what to draw. Encourage them to be proud of their unique creations. Observe pupils for signs of hesitation or lack of confidence and offer gentle encouragement. The “Our Drawing Song” should be sung with enthusiasm to create a positive and creative atmosphere. Ensure the video chosen is truly about free expression and not a step-by-step tutorial for a specific object.