Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, ensure you have a clear, safe space for pupils to move freely without bumping into each other. The central idea is for pupils to understand and physically demonstrate the action of hopping like a frog, focusing on coordination and balance. Observe closely to ensure each child attempts the movement safely and with enthusiasm.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Physical & Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Physical and Health Education
Previous Lesson: Simple movement activities like walking and running.
Topic: Hopping Exercise: Learning to Hop Like a Frog
Subject Matter: Hopping Exercise. Weekly focus: Hopping Exercise: Learning to Hop Like a Frog.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Explain what hopping means in simple terms.
- Identify a frog as an animal that hops.
Affective Domain
- Show enthusiasm while participating in hopping activities.
- Enjoy imitating a frog’s movement.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate hopping like a frog with correct body movement.
- Move different parts of their body during the exercise.
Social Domain
- Participate cooperatively in group movement activities.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Open space/classroom floor
- Picture cards of a frog
- Video demonstrating frog hopping
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it develops their gross motor skills, balance, and coordination through a fun, imitative exercise. Learning to hop like a frog helps children understand different ways of moving their bodies, fostering physical development and an appreciation for animal movements in a playful manner.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can already perform basic movements like walking, running, and simple jumps. They are also familiar with different animals and their sounds.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Hopping Exercise: Learning to Hop Like a Frog
What is Hopping?
Hopping is a type of movement where you jump on one foot, or sometimes both feet together, like a frog. It’s a fun way to move your body!
How to Hop Like a Frog
To hop like a frog, you:
- Bend your knees low, like you are squatting.
- Put your hands on the floor in front of you.
- Push off with your feet and hands at the same time.
- Land softly on your feet, bending your knees again.
It looks like a big jump forward!
Animals that Hop
Many animals hop! A very good example is the frog. Frogs hop to move from one place to another, especially on land.
Movement Rhyme: The Hopping Frog
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Lyrics:
Little froggy, green and grand,
Hops so gently on the land.
Bend your knees and jump so high,
Watch the little froggy fly.
Hop, hop, hop, and hop again,
Hopping with our froggy friend.
Actions: Pupils squat down, then push up and hop forward on two feet, bending knees on landing. Repeat the action with the rhyme.
Watch and Practise
Key Words
- Hopping – jumping on one or both feet.
- Frog – a small, green animal that lives near water and hops.
- Jump – to push off the ground with your feet and go into the air.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Begin by asking pupils if they know how frogs move. Explain hopping as a type of movement, demonstrating with your own body. Use the picture card of a frog to reinforce the animal example. Guide pupils through the steps of “How to Hop Like a Frog” slowly, breaking down each action.
What to show or demonstrate: Clearly demonstrate the frog hop movement several times, emphasizing bending knees, pushing off, and landing softly. Show the picture of a frog and ask pupils to make frog sounds.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce “The Hopping Frog” rhyme after demonstrating the movement. Sing it slowly first, performing the actions. Then, encourage pupils to sing and hop along with you, repeating it 2-3 times to embed the movement and words.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a way to see other children hopping like frogs. Play the video, asking pupils to observe the movements. After watching, encourage them to imitate the movements they saw, focusing on the bending and pushing actions.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are bending their knees sufficiently and pushing off with both feet. Ensure they have enough space and are not bumping into each other. Encourage all pupils to participate, offering gentle guidance for those who are hesitant.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Imitation
- Picture Talk
- Practical Activity
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engaging/Warm-up
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets pupils and asks them to stand in an open space. The teacher asks, “How do you move your body? Can you walk? Can you run? Can you jump?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher and demonstrate walking, running, and jumping in place.
Learning Point: Pupils recall different ways of moving their bodies and prepare for the lesson.
Step 2: Explanation of Hopping
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explaining/Defining
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the topic: “Today, we will learn a new fun way to move called ‘hopping’! Who knows an animal that hops?” The teacher explains that hopping is like jumping, often on both feet together, and shows a picture of a frog, saying, “Frogs love to hop!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, look at the frog picture, and may suggest animals that hop.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of hopping and identify a frog as an animal that hops.
Step 3: Teacher Demonstration
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstrating/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains and demonstrates how to hop like a frog. “First, bend your knees low, like a frog squatting. Put your hands on the floor. Then, push off and jump forward, landing softly on your feet with bent knees.” The teacher repeats the demonstration slowly several times.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration carefully, trying to understand the movements.
Learning Point: Pupils visually learn the sequence of movements for hopping like a frog.
Step 4: Guided Practice
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guiding/Coaching
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to try hopping like a frog. “Let’s try it together! Bend your knees… hands down… now push and hop!” The teacher provides verbal cues and gentle physical assistance where needed, ensuring pupils maintain safe spacing.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to hop like a frog, following the teacher’s instructions and movements. They move their bodies, bending knees and pushing off.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to physically practise and develop coordination for hopping.
Step 5: Rhyme Reinforcement
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcing/Singing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces and leads the pupils in singing “The Hopping Frog” rhyme, performing the actions. The teacher encourages pupils to sing along and hop to the rhythm of the song.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme and hop along, moving their bodies in time with the song.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their hopping skills through a fun, rhythmic activity.
Step 6: Video and Free Practice
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Aid/Facilitating
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the video demonstrating frog hops. After the video, the teacher encourages pupils to freely hop around the designated space, imitating the movements they saw in the video and practised earlier.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and then freely hop like frogs, exploring the movement in their own way.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding and confidence in hopping like a frog.
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 new way of moving did we learn today?”
- “Which animal hops like this?”
- “Show me how a frog hops!”
- “Can you hop from here to that line?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarizing/Cool-down
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their effort and participation. “You all hopped so well today, just like little frogs! Remember to keep practising your hopping!” The teacher leads a simple cool-down stretch.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to praise and participate in a brief cool-down stretch.
Learning Point: Pupils feel a sense of accomplishment and end the lesson calmly.
Lesson Keywords
- Hopping – a movement where you jump on both feet together, or sometimes one foot.
- Frog – a small, green animal that lives near water and moves by hopping.
- Exercise – physical activity that keeps your body healthy and strong.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils struggling with balance, the teacher can hold their hand or provide a stable object to hold onto while they attempt to hop. Start with small, stationary hops before moving forward. Repeat demonstrations more slowly.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly master the hopping skill, encourage them to hop in different directions (forward, backward, sideways), hop for a longer distance, or try hopping over a very small, safe object (e.g., a line on the floor).
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