Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before this lesson, prepare picture cards of a cat, a fiddle, a cow, the moon, a dog, and a dish with a spoon. Ensure your audio player is ready with the song if you plan to use it. The central idea is for pupils to learn the rhyme “Hey Diddle Diddle” by repeating the words and performing simple actions. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can recite parts of the rhyme and participate in the suggested role-play movements.

Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Songs and Rhymes
Previous Lesson: Simple rhymes about animals
Topic: HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE
Subject Matter: HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

Recite the rhyme “Hey Diddle Diddle” with some accuracy.
Identify characters and objects from the rhyme such as the cat, fiddle, cow, moon, dog, dish, and spoon.
Answer simple questions about the rhyme.

Affective Domain

Show enjoyment while singing and reciting the rhyme.
Listen attentively to the teacher and peers during the rhyme recitation.

Psychomotor Domain

Perform simple actions related to the rhyme, such as miming playing a fiddle or jumping.
Participate in role-play movements depicting the characters in the rhyme.

Participate cooperatively in group recitation and role-play activities.

Reference Materials

NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3.
Early Childhood Care and Education resources.
Suitable early-years rhyme books.

Instructional Materials

Mp3 player (if using recorded song)
Rhyme book/Chart with “Hey Diddle Diddle” lyrics
Picture cards of a cat, a fiddle, a cow, the moon, a dog, a dish, and a spoon.
Puppets or cut-outs of the rhyme characters (optional).

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps 4-year-olds develop early literacy skills by exposing them to the rhythm and sounds of language through a classic nursery rhyme. Learning “Hey Diddle Diddle” enhances memory, vocabulary, and imagination, while also encouraging social interaction through group recitation and role-play. It provides a fun and engaging way for children to connect with storytelling and expressive movement.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can already listen to and repeat short phrases. They are familiar with some common animals and can follow simple instructions.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE

“Hey Diddle Diddle” is a fun and traditional English nursery rhyme that tells a silly story about animals and objects doing unusual things.

Hey Diddle Diddle Rhyme

Tune: Traditional Nursery Rhyme Tune

Lyrics:

Hey diddle diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon.
The little dog laughed to see such fun,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Actions:

Hey diddle diddle: Wiggle fingers in the air.
The cat and the fiddle: Pretend to play a fiddle.
The cow jumped over the moon: Make a big jump with hands reaching up.
The little dog laughed to see such fun: Hold tummy and laugh.
And the dish ran away with the spoon: Wiggle fingers away quickly.

Key Words

Diddle – A silly sound or word, often used in rhymes.
Fiddle – A musical instrument like a small violin.
Jumped – To push off the ground and go up in the air.
Laughed – To make happy sounds with your mouth.
Ran away – To move quickly to leave a place.

Watch and Sing Along

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

💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary

How to teach the content: Introduce the rhyme by showing picture cards of the characters and objects (cat, fiddle, cow, moon, dog, dish, spoon). Recite the rhyme slowly and clearly, line by line, using expressive voice and gestures. Explain key words like ‘fiddle’ by showing a picture or miming. Encourage pupils to repeat each line after you.

What to show or demonstrate: Show the picture cards as you name each item in the rhyme. Demonstrate the actions for each line of the rhyme clearly and enthusiastically. Use puppets or cut-outs if available to make the characters more tangible during the recitation.

How to use the rhyme/song: Recite the rhyme multiple times, first slowly, then at a normal pace. Encourage pupils to join in, gradually increasing their participation. Use the suggested actions to make the rhyme more engaging and help with memorisation. Sing the rhyme if you know the tune, or play a recorded version from the Mp3 player. Repeat the rhyme and actions several times throughout the lesson.

How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see the rhyme come to life. Play the video once for pupils to watch and listen. Play it again, encouraging them to sing along and do the actions they have learned. After watching, ask pupils to name characters they saw or actions they liked.

What to watch for: Observe if pupils are attempting to repeat the words and perform the actions. Look for engagement and enjoyment. Correct pronunciation gently by modelling the words again. Encourage even shy pupils to participate with simple gestures.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Repetition, Role-play, Imitation.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and starts with a familiar short animal rhyme, e.g., “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” or “Old MacDonald,” to get them ready for singing and moving.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher and sing along to the familiar rhyme, performing simple actions.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready for the lesson.

Step 2: Presentation of New Rhyme

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Introduction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the new rhyme, “Hey Diddle Diddle,” by showing picture cards of the characters (cat, cow, dog, dish, spoon, moon, fiddle). The teacher recites the entire rhyme slowly and clearly, using expressive voice and gestures.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, look at the picture cards, and observe the teacher’s gestures.

Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the rhyme and its characters.

Step 3: Guided Repetition of Lines

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Repetition/Oral Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the rhyme line by line, pausing after each line for pupils to repeat. The teacher uses the picture cards to reinforce understanding of each line. The teacher also introduces simple actions for each line.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat each line after the teacher and begin to imitate the simple actions.

Learning Point: Pupils begin to memorise the rhyme and associate words with actions.

Step 4: Explaining Vocabulary and Actions

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly explains key words like “fiddle” (showing the picture) and “jumped” (demonstrating a jump). The teacher demonstrates the actions for the entire rhyme again, encouraging pupils to follow along.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to explanations, observe the demonstrations, and try to perform the actions for the whole rhyme.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the meaning of key words and can perform the actions.

Step 5: Full Rhyme Practice with Actions

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in reciting the entire rhyme together several times, encouraging them to perform all the actions. The teacher provides gentle correction and encouragement.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils recite the full rhyme with the teacher, performing the actions with increasing confidence.

Learning Point: Pupils gain confidence in reciting and acting out the rhyme.

Step 6: Role-play/Movement

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Role-play/Creative Movement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher encourages pupils to role-play parts of the rhyme, e.g., “the cow jumped over the moon” (pupils jump), “the little dog laughed” (pupils laugh), “the dish ran away with the spoon” (pupils wiggle fingers away). The teacher can assign roles or have everyone do the actions together.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate enthusiastically in the role-play movements, imitating the actions of the characters.

Learning Point: Pupils express creativity and reinforce understanding through movement.

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 jumped over the moon?” (Show picture of cow and moon).
“Who played the fiddle?” (Show picture of cat and fiddle).
“What did the little dog do?” (Encourage pupils to laugh).
“Can you show me how the dish ran away with the spoon?” (Pupils demonstrate action).
Ask pupils to recite their favourite line from the rhyme.

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/Praise

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their active participation and good effort in learning the rhyme. The teacher reminds them to keep practising the rhyme at home.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s praise and say goodbye.

Learning Point: Pupils feel encouraged and motivated.

Lesson Keywords

Hey Diddle Diddle – The name of the rhyme.
Cat – An animal in the rhyme.
Fiddle – A musical instrument.
Cow – An animal that jumped over the moon.
Moon – The bright light in the night sky.
Dog – An animal that laughed.
Dish – A plate for food.
Spoon – An eating utensil.

Differentiation

For pupils who need support, the teacher can provide extra one-on-one repetition of lines, use larger and clearer picture cards, or guide their actions hand-over-hand. For pupils who grasp the rhyme quickly, the teacher can encourage them to lead the actions, identify other rhyming words, or make up a simple new action for a part of the rhyme.