Friendship Tree for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4

Term: Second Term

Week: 9

Age: 5 years

Duration: 30 minutes

Subject: Creativity

Curriculum Theme: Creativity

Previous Lesson: Exploring different types of lines and shapes in drawing.

Topic: Friendship Tree

Subject Matter: Friendship Tree

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify a tree.
• Recognise their own name.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the concept of friendship.
• Participate enthusiastically in a group creative activity.

Psychomotor Domain

• Attempt to write their name on cardboard with guidance.
• Paste their name onto a designated ‘Friendship Tree’ using masking tape.

Social Domain

• Work cooperatively with classmates during the activity.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
• Early Childhood Care and Education resources

Instructional Materials

• Scissor (for teacher use)
• Cardboard pieces (one for each pupil)
• Pens/markers
• Masking tape
• Large chart paper or a designated wall space with a drawing of a tree trunk and branches
• Pictures of different trees (optional, for discussion)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand and celebrate friendship within their classroom community. By creating a visual “Friendship Tree,” children develop a sense of belonging, recognise their own identity, and practice fine motor skills through writing and pasting, fostering social bonds and creative expression.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can recognise their own names, can hold a pen or crayon, and have a basic understanding of what a tree is.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Friendship Tree

A Friendship Tree is a special tree we create in our classroom. It is a place where we put our names and the names of our friends to show that we are all friends together in our class.

Purpose of the Friendship Tree:

• To celebrate friendship and kindness.
• To help us see everyone’s name in the class.
• To make a special memory for our class.

How to Make a Friendship Tree:

1. First, we need a picture or drawing of a tree trunk and its branches.
2. Then, each of us will write our name on a small piece of cardboard.
3. Finally, we will use masking tape to stick our names onto the branches of our special Friendship Tree.

Key Words

• Friendship – being kind and playing together with others.
• Tree – a tall plant with a trunk, branches, and leaves.
• Name – the word we use to call ourselves.
• Paste – to stick something onto another surface.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

• A large drawing of a tree trunk and branches on chart paper or a wall.
• A demonstration of how to hold a pen and write a name (guiding strokes).
• A demonstration of how to tear a piece of masking tape and use it to stick cardboard.

Friendship Tree Song

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:

Friendship tree, so tall and grand,
Names of friends across the land.
Here we stick our names so bright,
Shining, happy, day and night.
Friendship tree, for me and you,
Happy friends, so kind and true.

Actions:

• “Tall and grand”: Stretch arms up high.
• “Names of friends”: Point to classmates.
• “Stick our names”: Make a sticking motion with hands.
• “Shining, happy”: Wiggle fingers like stars, smile.
• “Me and you”: Point to self, then to a friend.
• “Kind and true”: Hug self.

How to use the rhyme: Sing the song together as a class before or during the pasting activity to reinforce the theme of friendship and the purpose of the tree.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them about their friends in the class. “Who is your friend? What do you like to do with your friends?” The teacher then introduces the idea of making a special “Friendship Tree” for the class.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by naming their friends and sharing what they like to do. They listen attentively to the introduction of the new activity.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the concept of friendship and the lesson’s topic.

Step 2: Exploring Trees

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Observation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of different trees or points to a real tree outside the classroom. The teacher asks, “What do you see on a tree? What are the parts of a tree?” (e.g., trunk, branches). The teacher explains that their Friendship Tree will have a trunk and branches too.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures or real tree, identify parts like the trunk and branches, and share their observations.

Learning Point: Pupils connect the concept of a tree to a familiar object, building context for the creative activity.

Step 3: Introducing the Classroom Friendship Tree

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher unveils the large chart paper or designated wall space with the drawing of a tree trunk and branches. The teacher explains, “This will be our special Friendship Tree! We will put all our names on its branches to show we are a big family of friends.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the prepared ‘tree’ and listen to the teacher’s explanation of its purpose.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the visual representation of the Friendship Tree and its significance for the class.

Step 4: Writing Our Names

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Support

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes small pieces of cardboard and pens to each pupil. The teacher demonstrates how to write a name (e.g., “M-A-R-Y”) and guides pupils to write their own names on their cardboard pieces. The teacher provides assistance as needed, perhaps writing names for pupils to trace or writing their names for them if they are unable.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils carefully attempt to write their names on the cardboard pieces, following the teacher’s guidance.

Learning Point: Pupils practice name recognition and guided writing skills, preparing their ‘leaves’ for the tree.

Step 5: Friendship Tree Song and Movement

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Rhyme/Movement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the class in singing the “Friendship Tree Song” with actions. The teacher encourages all pupils to sing and perform the actions together.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing along with the teacher, performing the actions for the song, reinforcing the theme of friendship.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce the lesson’s theme through song and movement, building group cohesion.

Step 6: Pasting Names on the Tree

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Supervised Activity

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to tear a small piece of masking tape and stick it to the back of the cardboard name, then how to paste the name onto a branch of the Friendship Tree. The teacher then supervises as pupils take turns coming forward to paste their names onto the tree, ensuring safe use of materials.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns, carefully tearing masking tape, sticking it to their name cards, and then pasting their names onto the branches of the Friendship Tree.

Learning Point: Pupils engage in the main creative activity, developing fine motor skills and a sense of contribution to the class tree.

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 we make today?”
2. “Can you point to your name on the Friendship Tree?”
3. “Can you point to a friend’s name on the tree?”
4. “What does our Friendship Tree remind us of?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally by naming the Friendship Tree, pointing to their own names and friends’ names, and stating that it reminds them of being friends.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson and the purpose of the Friendship Tree.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Encouragement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their beautiful Friendship Tree and for working together. The teacher reminds them that the tree shows how special their friendships are and how they are all part of one happy class family.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher’s concluding remarks and admire their completed Friendship Tree.

Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning about friendship and feel a sense of accomplishment and belonging.

Lesson Keywords

• Friendship – being kind and playing together with others.
• Tree – a tall plant with a trunk, branches, and leaves.
• Name – the word we use to call ourselves.
• Paste – to stick something onto another surface.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle with writing, the teacher can pre-write their names for them to trace, or write the name directly on the cardboard. Provide larger pieces of cardboard and masking tape for easier manipulation. Offer hand-over-hand guidance for pasting.
• Extension: For pupils who finish quickly or show advanced skills, encourage them to draw a small, simple picture (like a heart or a smile) next to their name on the cardboard. They could also help a peer find their name on the tree.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have drawn a clear, large outline of a tree (trunk and branches) on chart paper or a designated wall space. Cut the cardboard into small, manageable rectangles, one for each pupil. Prepare enough masking tape strips for easy access, or teach pupils how to tear small pieces safely. Emphasise that the goal is participation and fostering a sense of community, not perfect handwriting. Supervise closely when pupils are handling pens and especially if they are tearing tape. Encourage pupils to place their names anywhere on the branches, making the tree look full and vibrant. The completed Friendship Tree should remain visible in the classroom as a reminder of their bonds.