Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, ensure you have a chart with the “Hot Cross Buns” lyrics, pictures of hot cross buns, and some play coins ready. The central idea is for pupils to learn the song and its associated actions, participating actively in singing and a simple role-play. Observe if pupils can repeat the song and mimic the actions, showing their understanding and engagement.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Songs and Rhymes
Previous Lesson: Simple Rhymes and Action Songs
Topic: HOT CROSS BUNS
Subject Matter: HOT CROSS BUNS.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Recite the “Hot Cross Buns” rhyme.
- Identify key words like “buns” and “penny” from the song.
Affective Domain
- Show enthusiasm while singing the song.
- Participate willingly in the role-play activity.
Psychomotor Domain
- Perform the actions associated with the “Hot Cross Buns” song.
- Demonstrate buying and selling actions during role-play.
Social Domain
- Take turns and cooperate during group singing and role-play.
- Engage in shared activity with peers and the teacher.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- MP3 player
- Rhyme book/chart with “Hot Cross Buns” lyrics
- Pictures of hot cross buns
- Play coins (e.g., 1 Naira, 2 Naira)
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson introduces pupils to the traditional “Hot Cross Buns” rhyme, fostering language development, rhythm awareness, and memory skills. Through singing and role-play, children learn about simple transactions and cultural practices, enhancing their social and imaginative play abilities at this crucial age.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can listen to and repeat short phrases, enjoy simple songs, and participate in basic action rhymes.Lesson Content/Board Summary
HOT CROSS BUNS
“Hot Cross Buns” is a traditional English nursery rhyme and street cry. It is often associated with the selling of hot cross buns, a type of spiced sweet bun traditionally eaten on Good Friday. The rhyme helps children learn about rhythm, repetition, and simple concepts like buying and selling.The “Hot Cross Buns” Song
Tune: Traditional Nursery Rhyme
Lyrics:
Hot cross buns!
Hot cross buns!
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot cross buns!
If you have no daughters,
Give them to your sons.
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot cross buns!
Actions:
- “Hot cross buns!”: Clap hands together, then cross arms over chest to make an ‘X’.
- “One a penny”: Hold up one finger.
- “Two a penny”: Hold up two fingers.
- “If you have no daughters, give them to your sons”: Pretend to offer a bun to someone.
Watch and Practise
Key Words
- Hot Cross Buns – a type of sweet, spiced bread roll with a cross on top.
- Penny – a small amount of money or a small coin.
- Two a penny – meaning two items for the price of one penny, suggesting they are cheap.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Begin by showing pictures of hot cross buns and asking if pupils have seen or eaten anything similar. Introduce the rhyme by reciting it slowly, then singing it. Emphasize the words “buns” and “penny.”
What to show or demonstrate: Display the rhyme chart clearly. Demonstrate the actions for each line of the song. Use play coins to show what “one a penny” and “two a penny” might look like. Model the role-play of selling and buying buns.
How to use the rhyme/song: Recite and sing the rhyme multiple times, encouraging pupils to join in. Start with just the first verse, then add the second. Ensure pupils perform the actions along with the singing. Use the MP3 player to play the song for repetition.
How to use the video: Play the provided YouTube video after pupils have had some initial practice. Ask pupils to watch the actions in the video and try to imitate them. Discuss what they saw in the video, such as the buns and the people selling them.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are attempting to sing along and perform the actions. Check for understanding of the simple concept of “one” and “two” for a “penny.” Encourage all pupils to participate in the role-play, even if just by mimicking.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Role-play, Repetition, Picture Talk.Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Motivation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them if they like singing and eating yummy snacks. The teacher shows a picture of hot cross buns and asks what they think it is.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, express their likes, and try to identify the picture.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the topic of buns.
Step 2: Introduce the Rhyme
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Modelling/Recitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the “Hot Cross Buns” rhyme clearly and slowly, pointing to the words on the chart. The teacher then sings the rhyme once.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the teacher’s recitation and singing.
Learning Point: Pupils become familiar with the sound and words of the rhyme.
Step 3: Repetition and Actions
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the rhyme line by line, asking pupils to repeat after them. The teacher introduces and demonstrates the simple actions for each line, encouraging pupils to imitate.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat the lines of the rhyme and imitate the teacher’s actions.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to learn the rhyme and associate actions with words.
Step 4: Practice with Music/Video
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Visual Aid
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the “Hot Cross Buns” song using the MP3 player or the YouTube video. The teacher encourages pupils to sing along and perform the actions as they watch/listen.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing along with the music/video and perform the actions.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their learning through auditory and visual input.
Step 5: Role-play “Selling Buns”
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Role-play/Interactive Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher initiates a simple role-play. The teacher pretends to be a bun seller, holding imaginary buns and calling out “Hot Cross Buns! One a penny, two a penny!” The teacher uses play coins to demonstrate buying and selling.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns pretending to be buyers, offering play coins for imaginary buns, and some may act as sellers.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of buying and selling from the rhyme in a practical way.
Step 6: Discussion and Reinforcement
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Concept Check
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils what they were “selling” and “buying.” The teacher shows the play coins again and reminds them of “one a penny, two a penny.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer the teacher’s questions and point to the play coins.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of the rhyme’s context and key words.
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.
- “Can you sing the ‘Hot Cross Buns’ song for me?”
- “Show me the actions for ‘one a penny, two a penny’.”
- “What kind of food is the song about?”
- “What do we use to buy things, like the buns in the song?” (Show play coins)
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: Summarization/Praise
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their active participation and good singing. The teacher reminds them to keep singing the song at home.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher and respond with claps or cheers.
Learning Point: Pupils feel encouraged and motivated to continue learning.
Lesson Keywords
- Hot Cross Buns – a sweet bread roll with a cross.
- Penny – a small coin.
- Sing – to make musical sounds with your voice.
- Actions – movements you make with your body.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who find it challenging, focus only on the first two lines of the song and the clapping action. Provide more one-on-one repetition and hand-over-hand guidance for actions.
- Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to sing a line or two solo. Ask them to think of other foods they like to sing about or to create a new action for a part of the song.
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