Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, ensure you have a clear, safe, and open space for pupils to move freely without bumping into each other. The central idea is for pupils to understand and safely practise hopping on one foot and then both feet, mimicking a frog. Observe closely for pupils’ balance and coordination, providing gentle support as they try different hopping movements.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 5
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Physical and Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Various body movements like walking, running, skipping.
Topic: Hopping Movement Practice and Frog-Like Hops
Subject Matter: Hopping Exercise. Weekly focus: Hopping Movement Practice and Frog-Like Hops.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Explain hopping as a type of movement.
- Identify an animal that moves by hopping.
Affective Domain
- Show enthusiasm for physical activity.
- Listen and follow instructions for safe movement.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate hopping on one foot.
- Perform frog-like hops using both feet.
- Move different parts of their body during warm-up.
Social Domain
- Participate actively in group movement activities.
- Take turns and maintain personal space while hopping.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Open playground or clear classroom space
- CD player or device for music (if using the provided CD)
- Pictures of frogs hopping
- Pictures of children hopping
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it develops their gross motor skills, balance, and coordination, which are crucial for overall physical development. Practising hopping also helps children understand different ways their bodies can move and improves their body awareness, preparing them for more complex physical activities.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can already move their bodies in different ways like walking, running, and jumping. They are familiar with various body parts and can follow simple instructions for movement.Lesson Content/Board Summary
Hopping Movement Practice and Frog-Like Hops
Hopping is a way of moving by springing up and down on one foot or both feet. It helps our bodies get strong and balanced.Types of Hopping
- One-Foot Hopping: Lifting one foot off the ground and springing forward or in place using the other foot.
- Two-Feet Hopping (Frog-Like Hops): Bending your knees, squatting down a little, and pushing off the ground with both feet at the same time, just like a frog. Frogs are good at hopping!
Movement Rhyme
Hopping Fun
Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
Hop, hop, hop around,
Little feet on the ground.
One foot up, then two feet down,
Hopping all over town!
Actions:
- “Hop, hop, hop around” – Hop gently in place or around in a circle.
- “Little feet on the ground” – Tap feet gently on the floor.
- “One foot up, then two feet down” – Lift one foot, then hop on both feet.
- “Hopping all over town!” – Continue hopping with enthusiasm.
Watch and Move Along
Key Words
- Hop – to move by springing on one foot or both feet.
- Frog – a small, green animal that lives near water and moves by hopping.
- Jump – to push off the ground with both feet. (Hopping is a type of jumping, often on one foot or with a specific style like a frog).
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Begin by asking pupils to show different ways they can move their bodies. Introduce “hopping” as a new movement. Explain it simply as springing up and down. Use pictures of children hopping to illustrate. Demonstrate one-foot hopping clearly, then demonstrate frog-like hops by squatting low and pushing off with both feet. Emphasize bending knees for frog hops.
What to show or demonstrate: Clearly demonstrate hopping on one foot (e.g., “right foot up, hop on left!”). Then demonstrate hopping on the other foot. Show how to do a frog-like hop by squatting, placing hands on the floor (optional), and pushing off with both feet. Show pictures of frogs hopping to reinforce the idea.
How to use the rhyme/song: Teach the “Hopping Fun” rhyme line by line, demonstrating the actions. Repeat the rhyme several times, encouraging pupils to sing along and perform the actions. Use it as a transition or energy break.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as “The Hopping Song.” Ask pupils to watch how the children in the video hop and try to move along with them. After the video, discuss different ways they saw hopping and encourage them to try those movements.
What to watch for: Observe pupils’ balance during one-foot hopping. For frog-like hops, ensure they are bending their knees and pushing off with both feet, rather than just jumping straight up. Provide individual support for those struggling with balance or coordination.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Imitation
- Practical Activity
- Question and Answer
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction (Warm-up)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Motivation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads them in a simple warm-up, asking them to stretch different body parts (arms up, touch toes, turn heads). The teacher asks, “How many ways can you move your body?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, stretch their bodies, and show different movements like walking, running, or wiggling.
Learning Point: Pupils prepare their bodies for activity and recall various movements.
Step 2: Introduction to Hopping
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the word “hopping” and explains it as a way to move by springing on one foot or both feet. The teacher demonstrates hopping on one foot in place.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and observe the teacher’s demonstration of hopping.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic concept of hopping.
Step 3: Practising One-Foot Hopping
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Correction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to try hopping on one foot. “Lift your right foot, now hop on your left foot!” The teacher encourages and corrects pupils gently, ensuring they have enough space. Then, “Now lift your left foot, hop on your right foot!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to hop on one foot, first on one side, then on the other, following the teacher’s instructions.
Learning Point: Pupils practise and improve their balance and coordination while hopping on one foot.
Step 4: Introducing Frog-Like Hops
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Aid/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of a frog hopping and explains that frogs hop on both feet. The teacher demonstrates “frog-like hops” by squatting low and pushing off with both feet. “Bend your knees like a frog, then hop!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures and the teacher’s demonstration, trying to imitate the frog-like hop.
Learning Point: Pupils learn a new type of hop and associate it with an animal.
Step 5: Rhyme and Video Reinforcement
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Song/Media Integration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing the “Hopping Fun” rhyme with actions. The teacher then plays “The Hopping Song” video and encourages pupils to watch and move along, trying different hopping styles.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme and perform actions. They watch the video and try to hop along with the song, exploring various hopping movements.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce hopping skills through song and visual examples.
Step 6: Hopping Game/Free Practice
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Observation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher organises a simple “Follow the Leader” hopping game or allows pupils to freely hop around the designated space, reminding them to be careful and not bump into others. The teacher observes their movements.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the hopping game or practise hopping freely, exploring their own movements.
Learning Point: Pupils apply their hopping skills in a fun, less structured 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.
- “Show me how you hop on one foot.”
- “Show me how a frog hops.”
- “What animal did we talk about that hops?”
- “Can you hop around the circle?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion (Cool-down)
Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Calming/Recap
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in a cool-down activity, such as slow walking and deep breathing. The teacher praises their effort and reminds them that hopping is a fun way to keep their bodies strong. “Good job hopping today, everyone!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils cool down by walking slowly and taking deep breaths. They acknowledge the teacher’s praise.
Learning Point: Pupils relax their bodies after activity and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Lesson Keywords
- Hop – to move by springing on one foot or both feet.
- Frog – a small animal that hops.
- Movement – how our bodies change position.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils struggling with balance, provide a wall or a peer to hold onto for support during one-foot hopping. Demonstrate slowly and break down the frog-like hop into smaller steps (bend knees, then push). Offer more individual practice time.
- Extension: For pupils who master hopping quickly, challenge them to hop in different directions (forward, backward, sideways) or to hop over a very low, safe object (e.g., a line drawn on the floor). Ask them to count how many hops they can do on one foot.
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