Goosy Goosy Gander for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Songs and Rhymes
Previous Lesson: Pupils have learned and recited other simple rhymes.
Topic: GOOSY GOOSY GANDER
Subject Matter: GOOSY GOOSY GANDER.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Recite the rhyme “Goosy Goosy Gander.”
• Identify the main characters in the rhyme: the gander and the old man.
• State a simple moral lesson from the rhyme.

Affective Domain

• Show appreciation for rhymes and songs.
• Demonstrate respect for elders.
• Express the importance of prayer.

Psychomotor Domain

• Sing the song with appropriate actions.
• Dramatize parts of the rhyme.
• Point to a picture of an old man.

Social Domain

• Participate actively in group recitation and dramatization.
• Take turns during role-play.

Reference Materials

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

Instructional Materials

• Chart with the rhyme “Goosy Goosy Gander”
• Pictures of a gander (a male goose)
• Pictures of an old man
• Simple props for dramatization (e.g., a walking stick, a hat)
• Storybooks with nursery rhymes

Rationale for the Lesson

Learning “Goosy Goosy Gander” helps 5-year-olds develop their language skills, memory, and rhythm through an engaging song. Beyond entertainment, the rhyme provides an opportunity to discuss important social habits like respecting elders and the significance of prayer, connecting learning to their daily lives and moral development.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can listen to and repeat short sentences and familiar rhymes. They can identify some common animals and people, including older individuals.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

GOOSY GOOSY GANDER

The rhyme “Goosy Goosy Gander” tells a story about a gander who wanders through a house and meets an old man.

What is a Gander?

A gander is a male goose. It is a type of bird, often white, that can be found near water. In our rhyme, the gander is like a curious friend exploring a house.

The Rhyme: Goosy Goosy Gander

Let’s learn the words to our rhyme. Listen carefully and try to repeat after me.

Goosy, goosy gander,
Whither shall I wander?
Upstairs and downstairs,
And in my lady’s chamber.
There I met an old man
Who wouldn’t say his prayers;
I took him by the left leg,
And threw him down the stairs.

(Teacher’s Note: While teaching the traditional rhyme, emphasize the positive moral lesson about prayer and respecting elders. When dramatizing, focus on the gander wandering and meeting the old man, and the idea of prayer, rather than the violent action. Explain that in stories, we learn lessons, and we always choose kindness and respect in real life.)

Key Words

• Gander – a male goose.
• Wander – to walk around slowly without a specific purpose.
• Chamber – an old word for a room, especially a bedroom.
• Old man – an elderly male person.
• Prayers – words said to God to thank Him or ask for help.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

• Display a large picture of a gander.
• Show a picture of an old man.
• Point to the words on the rhyme chart as you recite them.

Moral Lesson: The Importance of Prayer and Respect

In the rhyme, the old man was not saying his prayers. It is important for us to always say our prayers. Prayer is talking to God. We pray to thank God for everything He gives us, for our family, our food, and our school. We can also ask God to help us and others.

We must also always respect old people. They are wise and deserve our kindness and help.

Prayer Rhyme

Let’s sing a short rhyme about prayer.

Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Lyrics:

Every day, before we sleep,
Our sweet prayers we always keep.
Thank you, God, for all you do,
Love our family, strong and true.
Every day, before we sleep,
Our sweet prayers we always keep.

Actions: Hands together for prayer, point upwards, hug self, point to classmates/imagine family.

How to use the rhyme: Sing this rhyme together to reinforce the idea of daily prayer and gratitude.

Watch and Sing Along

Let’s watch a video of “Goosy Goosy Gander” and sing along!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3SjV1uB67k

(Teacher’s Note: Play the video to help pupils visualize the rhyme and encourage singing.)

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Storytelling, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Role-play, Imitation, Repetition, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Motivation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, sings a short warm-up song, and shows a picture of a gander. “Good morning, children! Today we are going to learn a fun rhyme about a curious bird called a gander. Look at this picture! This is a gander.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, sing along, and observe the picture of the gander.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the main character of the rhyme.

Step 2: Rhyme Presentation

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Recitation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the rhyme “Goosy Goosy Gander” slowly and clearly, using expressive voice and simple actions. The teacher points to the words on the chart as she recites. “Listen carefully as I say our new rhyme.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the teacher’s recitation and observe the actions.

Learning Point: Pupils hear the rhyme and begin to understand its rhythm and words.

Step 3: Guided Recitation and Singing

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Repetition/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the rhyme line by line, encouraging pupils to repeat after her. Then, the teacher guides pupils to sing the rhyme together with simple actions. “Now, let’s say it together, line by line. Then we will sing it!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat each line after the teacher and then sing the rhyme together with actions.

Learning Point: Pupils practice reciting and singing the rhyme, improving memory and pronunciation.

Step 4: Vocabulary and Character Identification

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Picture Talk/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of an old man and clarifies words like “gander,” “chamber,” and “old man.” “Who did the gander meet in the chamber? Look at this picture of an old man. What do you think ‘chamber’ means?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the old man in the picture and listen to the explanations of new words.

Learning Point: Pupils understand key vocabulary and characters from the rhyme.

Step 5: Dramatization and Moral Lesson

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Role-play/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to dramatize parts of the rhyme (e.g., gander wandering, meeting an old man). The teacher then discusses the moral lesson about the importance of prayer and respecting elders. “Let’s pretend to be the gander wandering! Who wants to be the old man? Why do you think the old man should say his prayers? Why is it good to pray?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in dramatizing the rhyme and share their thoughts on prayer and respecting elders.

Learning Point: Pupils connect the rhyme to real-life values and practice social skills through role-play.

Step 6: Reinforcement Activity/Video

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Multimedia/Repetition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the “Goosy Goosy Gander” video and encourages pupils to sing along. The teacher then leads the class in singing the “Prayer Rhyme” from the board summary. “Let’s watch the video and sing along! Now, let’s sing our special prayer rhyme.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video, sing along, and participate in the “Prayer Rhyme.”

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding and enjoyment of the rhyme and the moral lesson.

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. Who can recite the rhyme “Goosy Goosy Gander”?
2. Point to the picture of the gander.
3. Point to the picture of the old man.
4. Can you tell me one good thing we learned from the rhyme (e.g., why prayer is important, or why we should respect old people)?

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: Summary/Closure

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them to always say their prayers and respect elders. “You all did so well today! Remember to always say your prayers and be kind to older people. You can sing this rhyme to your parents at home!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher and respond positively.

Learning Point: Pupils conclude the lesson with a positive reinforcement of the moral message.

Lesson Keywords

• Gander – a male goose.
• Old man – an elderly male person.
• Prayers – talking to God.
• Rhyme – a short poem or song.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle to remember the rhyme, provide more repetition, use larger pictures, and focus on repeating just the first two lines. Encourage them to join in with actions even if they can’t say all the words. Pair them with a stronger peer.
• Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to identify other rhyming words in the rhyme, or to explain the moral lesson in their own words. They could also help lead the actions during dramatization.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have clear, large pictures of a gander and an old man, and the rhyme printed on a chart. When introducing the rhyme, use a clear, engaging voice and simple, repetitive actions to help pupils grasp the rhythm and words. Pay special attention to the moral lesson: while the traditional rhyme has a problematic ending, the focus for preschoolers should be on the positive message of the importance of prayer and respecting elders. Guide the dramatization to avoid any imitation of the violent part. Encourage all pupils to participate, even if it’s just through actions or repeating key words. Observe pupils’ ability to recite, identify characters, and articulate simple moral lessons to gauge their understanding.