Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare simple picture cards or charts showing common preschool scenarios where children might need to say “I’m sorry” (e.g., bumping into a friend, accidentally taking a toy). Have soft toys or puppets ready for demonstrations and role-play. The central idea for pupils is to understand that “I’m sorry” is a kind thing to say when they make a mistake or hurt someone’s feelings, and they should be able to repeat the phrase and demonstrate a simple apology.
Class: Pre-School Level 1
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Age: 2 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Social Habits
Curriculum Theme: Social Habits
Previous Lesson: Learning to share toys and take turns.
Topic: GRACE AND COURTESY
Subject Matter: GRACE AND COURTESY; Learning to say “I’m sorry.” Weekly focus: Grace and Courtesy: Saying I’m Sorry.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify simple situations where they should say “I’m sorry.”
- Understand that saying “I’m sorry” helps friends feel better.
Affective Domain
- Show willingness to say “I’m sorry” when they make a mistake.
- Express care for others’ feelings.
Psychomotor Domain
- Repeat the phrase “I’m sorry” clearly.
- Demonstrate how to say “I’m sorry” through simple actions like looking at the person.
Social Domain
- Participate in simple role-play scenarios involving apologies.
- Practise being kind and polite to friends.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 1
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Picture cards or charts showing children making mistakes (e.g., bumping, taking a toy)
- Posters with the words “I’m sorry” and accompanying pictures
- Soft toys or puppets for demonstrations
- Video clips on saying “I’m sorry” for children
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 2-year-olds as it introduces a fundamental social skill for resolving minor conflicts and showing empathy. Learning to say “I’m sorry” helps children understand the impact of their actions on others and fosters positive social interactions and friendships from an early age.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have some experience with basic social interactions like greeting friends and sharing toys. They can recognise familiar faces and respond to simple instructions.Lesson Content/Board Summary
GRACE AND COURTESY: Learning to say ‘I’m sorry.’
Grace and Courtesy means being kind and polite to others. One very important polite thing to say is “I’m sorry.”
When to say “I’m sorry”:
- When you accidentally bump into a friend.
- When you take a toy without asking.
- When you make a friend feel sad.
How to say “I’m sorry”:
- Look at your friend.
- Say “I’m sorry” clearly.
- You can also say “Oops, I’m sorry.”
Saying “I’m sorry” helps your friend feel better and shows you care.
Key Words
- Sorry – feeling bad about something you did.
- Oops – a sound we make when we make a small mistake.
- Kind – being nice and friendly to others.
The Sorry Song
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Lyrics:
Oops, I made a mistake,
Oops, I’m sorry, for goodness sake.
When I bump or take a toy,
‘I’m sorry,’ brings back joy.
Oops, I made a mistake,
‘I’m sorry,’ for goodness sake.
Actions: Shrug shoulders for “oops,” put hands together for “sorry,” point to self for “I,” hug self for “joy.”
Watch and Practise
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce “Grace and Courtesy” as “being kind and polite.” Use the picture cards to show simple scenarios like bumping or taking a toy. Ask pupils, “What do we say?” and introduce “I’m sorry.” Emphasise looking at the person and saying it clearly. Repeat the phrase several times.
What to show or demonstrate: Use puppets or role-play with another adult to demonstrate simple scenarios and how to say “I’m sorry.” For example, one puppet bumps into another, then says “I’m sorry.” Show the posters with “I’m sorry” written on them and point to the words while saying them.
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing “The Sorry Song” multiple times with the actions. Encourage pupils to join in with the actions and repeat the phrase “Oops, I’m sorry.”
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to learn about saying “I’m sorry.” Play the “Sorry Song” video. After watching, encourage pupils to sing along and mimic the actions from the video. Discuss what they saw and when the characters said “I’m sorry.”
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are able to repeat “I’m sorry” and if they understand the simple situations where it’s used. Watch for their participation in actions and role-play.
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: Engaging/Greeting
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and sings a simple “Good Morning” song. The teacher then asks pupils what it means to be kind to friends.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing along, and offer simple ideas about being kind (e.g., “share,” “play nice”).
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and reminded about being kind to others.
Step 2: Presentation of Concept
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explaining/Visual Aids
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows picture cards or charts of simple situations where a child might make a mistake (e.g., a child bumps another, a child takes a toy). The teacher asks, “What happened here? How does the friend feel?” Then introduces the phrase “I’m sorry.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the pictures, point to the children, and listen to the teacher. They try to identify the feelings (e.g., “sad”).
Learning Point: Pupils identify situations needing an apology and are introduced to “I’m sorry.”
Step 3: Teacher Demonstration
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Modelling/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses two soft toys or puppets to demonstrate simple scenarios. For example, one puppet accidentally “bumps” into another, then turns and says, “Oops, I’m sorry!” The teacher repeats this with another scenario (e.g., taking a toy).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstration with the puppets, observing how to say “I’m sorry.”
Learning Point: Pupils observe a clear model of saying “I’m sorry” in action.
Step 4: Guided Practice and Rhyme
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Repetition/Song
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in repeating “I’m sorry” several times, encouraging them to look at a “friend” (another pupil or toy) while saying it. The teacher then introduces and sings “The Sorry Song” with actions, encouraging pupils to join in.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat “I’m sorry” after the teacher. They sing along with “The Sorry Song” and perform the actions.
Learning Point: Pupils practise saying “I’m sorry” and reinforce the concept through song and movement.
Step 5: Role-Play and Video
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Role-play/Video Integration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher sets up very simple role-play scenarios. For example, the teacher pretends to accidentally bump a pupil, then asks the pupil to say “I’m sorry.” The teacher guides them. The teacher then plays the “Sorry Song” video and encourages pupils to watch and sing along.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in guided role-play, practising saying “I’m sorry.” They watch the video, sing along, and mimic actions.
Learning Point: Pupils apply “I’m sorry” in a practical context and reinforce learning through visual media.
Step 6: Reinforcement Activity
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Game/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays a simple “Oops, I’m Sorry” game. The teacher pretends to drop a toy or make a small mistake and asks, “What should I say?” The teacher guides pupils to say “I’m sorry.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by saying “I’m sorry” when prompted by the teacher’s “mistakes.”
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce the use of “I’m sorry” in a fun, interactive way.
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 do we say when we accidentally bump a friend?”
- “Show me how you say ‘I’m sorry’ to your friend.” (Teacher models a simple scenario)
- “What song did we sing today about saying sorry?”
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/Encouragement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for learning to say “I’m sorry” and reminds them to always use kind words. The teacher ends the lesson with a closing song.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher’s summary and sing the closing song.
Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to practise good social habits.
Lesson Keywords
- Sorry – feeling bad about something you did.
- Oops – a sound we make when we make a small mistake.
- Kind – being nice and friendly to others.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, provide more one-on-one repetition of “I’m sorry.” Use hand-over-hand gestures to help them make the “sorry” action. Use larger, clearer pictures for situations.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, encourage them to identify another simple situation where they might need to say “I’m sorry.” Ask them to help a friend practise saying the phrase.
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