Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, ensure you have prepared large charts with examples of intersecting slant lines, and that pupils have their writing books, pencils, and erasers ready. The central idea is for pupils to understand what intersecting slant lines look like and to practise drawing them with correct posture and pencil grip. Observe pupils attempting to trace and draw the lines, focusing on their effort and motor skill development rather than perfect replication.
Class: Pre-School Level 2
Term: Second Term
Week: 7
Age: 3 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Handwriting
Curriculum Theme: Handwriting
Previous Lesson: Drawing various types of lines (e.g., vertical, horizontal, slant lines)
Topic: INTERSECTING SLANT LINES: FURTHER WRITING PRACTICE
Subject Matter: Intersecting Slant Lines: Further Writing Practice
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify intersecting slant lines when shown examples.
- Recall the proper way to hold a pencil.
Affective Domain
- Show enthusiasm for handwriting practice.
- Listen attentively to teacher’s instructions.
Psychomotor Domain
- Hold a pencil correctly with a tripod grip.
- Trace and attempt to draw intersecting slant lines in their writing books.
Social Domain
- Participate actively in guided writing activities.
- Take turns showing their work to the teacher or peers.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 2
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources on pre-writing skills
- Age-appropriate handwriting practice books
Instructional Materials
- Whiteboard or large chart paper
- Markers or chalk
- Large picture cards showing intersecting slant lines (e.g., an ‘X’ shape, a cross)
- Pupils’ writing books
- Pencils
- Erasers
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is crucial for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination in 3-year-olds. Practising intersecting slant lines helps children prepare for forming letters like ‘X’, ‘A’, ‘K’, and ‘M’, which are foundational for early literacy development. It also strengthens their pencil grip and control, essential for future writing tasks.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have previously learned to draw different types of lines, including vertical, horizontal, and single slant lines. They also have some experience holding pencils and making marks on paper.Lesson Content/Board Summary
INTERSECTING SLANT LINES: FURTHER WRITING PRACTICE
Intersecting slant lines are lines that cross over each other. Imagine two slant lines meeting and making an ‘X’ shape.
Key Words
- Intersecting – when lines meet and cross each other.
- Slant – a line that goes diagonally, not straight up/down or across.
- Lines – long, thin marks.
- Cross – to go from one side to the other, making an ‘X’ shape.
Movement Rhyme: Crossing Lines
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Lyrics:
Slant line up, and slant line down,
They meet and cross, all around.
One goes left, one goes right,
Making shapes, oh so bright!
Slant line up, and slant line down,
They meet and cross, all around.
Actions: Use fingers to trace a slant line in the air, then another crossing it, making an ‘X’ shape. Repeat the actions with the rhyme.
Watch and Practise
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Begin by showing pupils the large picture cards of intersecting slant lines, pointing out how the lines cross. Use your finger to trace the lines on the chart. Emphasise the ‘X’ shape as a key example. Explain the key words simply, using gestures.
What to show or demonstrate: Demonstrate proper sitting posture and pencil grip clearly. On the whiteboard or chart, draw one slant line, then draw another slant line crossing it to form an ‘X’. Repeat this several times, explaining the direction of each line (“slant down left, then slant down right”).
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Crossing Lines” rhyme after the initial demonstration. Sing it together several times, encouraging pupils to perform the finger-tracing actions. Use it as a fun break and reinforcement during practice.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see how to draw the ‘X’ shape. Play the video, asking pupils to watch carefully. After watching, encourage them to practise tracing the ‘X’ shape in the air with their fingers, just like in the video.
What to watch for: Observe pupils’ pencil grip and sitting posture. Provide gentle correction and encouragement. For the drawing, focus on their effort to make the lines cross, not on perfect straightness or size. Some pupils may need hand-over-hand guidance.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Play-based Learning
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Repetition
- Practical Activity
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to recall different types of lines they have drawn before (e.g., straight up, straight across, slant). The teacher then introduces the topic of “Intersecting Slant Lines” by showing a picture of an ‘X’ and asking what they see.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, respond by naming different lines, and point to the ‘X’ shape, saying “cross” or “X”.
Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are introduced to the new topic.
Step 2: Demonstration of Proper Sitting and Pencil Grip
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Modelling/Instruction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the correct sitting posture (straight back, feet flat) and the proper tripod pencil grip. The teacher explains why this is important for comfortable writing.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher, imitate the sitting posture, and practise holding their pencils correctly.
Learning Point: Pupils learn and practise correct sitting posture and pencil grip.
Step 3: Teacher Demonstrates Intersecting Slant Lines
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher draws large intersecting slant lines (like an ‘X’) on the whiteboard or chart, explaining each stroke clearly (“first line slants down this way, then the second line slants down and crosses it”). The teacher uses the picture cards to reinforce the concept.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstration, identify the crossing lines, and say “cross” or “X”.
Learning Point: Pupils observe and understand how intersecting slant lines are formed.
Step 4: Guided Practice (Air and Finger Tracing)
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Repetition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in air tracing the intersecting slant lines. Then, pupils use their fingers to trace the lines on the picture cards or on their desks. The teacher plays the “Crossing Lines” rhyme and encourages actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils trace the intersecting slant lines in the air and on surfaces with their fingers, singing along and performing actions for the rhyme.
Learning Point: Pupils develop motor memory for the strokes through tracing and repetition.
Step 5: Pupils Practise in Writing Books
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Individual Support
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to open their writing books. The teacher draws a few examples of intersecting slant lines in each pupil’s book or on a designated practice area. Pupils are encouraged to trace over the teacher’s examples and then attempt to draw their own.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils trace the given lines and attempt to draw intersecting slant lines in their writing books under the teacher’s supervision. They show their work to the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils apply their understanding to practical writing practice, developing fine motor control.
Step 6: Video Reinforcement and Further Practice
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Aid/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces and plays the short video on drawing the ‘X’ shape. After the video, the teacher encourages pupils to try drawing a few more intersecting slant lines in their books, focusing on the crossing motion shown in the video.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video, then continue practising drawing intersecting slant lines in their books, trying to replicate the crossing motion.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their learning through visual demonstration and additional practice.
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 kind of lines did we draw today?”
- “Can you show me with your fingers how two lines cross?”
- “Point to an intersecting slant line in your book.”
- “Show me how you hold your pencil.”
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: Summarisation/Closure
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their effort and good work, reminding them to keep practising their lines. The teacher collects their books.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils tidy up their materials and prepare for the next activity.
Learning Point: Pupils receive positive reinforcement and the lesson is brought to a close.
Lesson Keywords
- Intersecting – lines that cross each other.
- Slant – a line that is diagonal.
- Cross – to meet and go over.
- Practice – to do something many times to get better.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, provide larger examples to trace. Use hand-over-hand guidance to help them feel the movement. Focus on making just one crossing motion rather than perfect ‘X’ shapes. Allow them to use thicker pencils or crayons for easier grip.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concept, encourage them to draw multiple intersecting slant lines to create patterns or simple shapes like a star. Challenge them to find examples of intersecting slant lines in the classroom (e.g., on a window frame, a pattern on a mat).
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