Insects Meaning and Examples for Pre-School Level 3

Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 7
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Basic Science and Technology
Curriculum Theme: Basic Science and Technology
Previous Lesson: Animals in our environment
Topic: Insects Meaning and Examples
Subject Matter: Insects Meaning and Examples.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Define insects as small living things.
• Identify and name common insects such as cockroach, mosquito, and ant.

Affective Domain

• Show interest in observing different types of insects.
• Appreciate insects as part of the natural environment.

Psychomotor Domain

• Point to specific insects on a chart or in pictures when named.
• Mimic simple movements of some insects (e.g., flying like a butterfly).

Social Domain

• Participate actively in group discussions about insects.
• Share observations about insects with peers.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
• Early Childhood Care and Education resources
• Suitable early-years science workbook

Instructional Materials

• Real insects (safely contained in clear jars, e.g., dead specimens of a cockroach, ant, or fly)
• Large picture cards of common insects (cockroach, mosquito, ant, fly, butterfly, beetle)
• Insect chart
• Video documentary on insects for preschoolers

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson introduces 4-year-olds to the concept of insects as small living things found in their environment. Understanding insects helps children develop observational skills, learn about biodiversity, and appreciate the natural world around them, fostering early scientific curiosity.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have some knowledge of living things and different types of animals in their environment.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Insects Meaning and Examples

Insects are small living things. Most insects have six legs and sometimes wings. They can crawl, fly, or jump.

Examples of Insects:

• Cockroach: A common insect that crawls.
• Mosquito: A small flying insect that can bite.
• Ant: A tiny insect that lives in groups and crawls on the ground.
• Fly: A common flying insect.
• Butterfly: A beautiful flying insect with colourful wings.
• Beetle: An insect with a hard outer shell.

Key Words

• Insects – small living things.
• Six legs – a common feature of insects.
• Crawl – to move slowly on hands and knees or on the belly.
• Fly – to move through the air with wings.

Our Insect Friends Rhyme

Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Lyrics:

Insects, insects, small and neat,
Six little legs and tiny feet.
Cockroach crawls and ant runs by,
Butterfly flies up in the sky.
Mosquito buzzes, fly goes too,
Insects everywhere, for me and you!

Actions: Wiggle fingers for “small and neat”, count fingers for “six little legs”, crawl hands for “cockroach crawls”, flutter hands for “butterfly flies”, make buzzing sound for “mosquito buzzes”, point around for “everywhere”.

Watch and Learn About Insects

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ3q-2uN_48

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Songs and Rhymes, Observation, Repetition.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, sings a short welcome song, and asks them to name some living things they know, like plants or animals.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing along, and name familiar living things.

Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge about living things.

Step 2: Presentation (Meaning of Insects)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces insects as small living things. The teacher shows the safely contained real insects (e.g., a dead cockroach or ant in a jar) and explains that these are insects. The teacher briefly mentions they have six legs.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the real insects from a safe distance and listen to the teacher’s explanation. They repeat “Insects are small living things.”

Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic meaning of insects.

Step 3: Demonstration (Examples of Insects)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identification/Naming

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays the insect chart and individual picture cards of common insects (cockroach, mosquito, ant, fly, butterfly, beetle). The teacher points to each insect, names it clearly, and makes a simple sound or action for it (e.g., “buzz” for mosquito, “flutter” for butterfly).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the chart and picture cards, listen to the names, and repeat the names after the teacher. They may mimic the sounds or actions.

Learning Point: Pupils begin to recognise and name common insects.

Step 4: Guided Practice (Identifying Insects)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher calls out the name of an insect and asks pupils to point to it on the chart or picture cards. The teacher also points to an insect and asks pupils to name it. The teacher provides support and correction as needed.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils point to the named insects and try to name the insects pointed to by the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils practice identifying and naming insects with guidance.

Step 5: Reinforcement (Rhyme and Video)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing the “Our Insect Friends Rhyme” with actions. After the rhyme, the teacher plays the short educational video about insects, encouraging pupils to watch and identify the insects they see.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the video, trying to identify familiar insects.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their learning through song and visual media.

Step 6: Application (Discussion and Movement)

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to name their favourite insect or one insect they saw today. The teacher encourages pupils to make a movement like an insect (e.g., crawl like an ant, fly like a butterfly).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils name an insect and mimic its movement.

Learning Point: Pupils apply their knowledge 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.

1. “What are insects? (Small living things)”
2. “Point to the cockroach on the chart.”
3. “Name this insect (teacher points to a mosquito picture).”
4. “Can you show me how a butterfly flies?”

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/Closure

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them that insects are all around us. The teacher encourages them to observe insects safely at home.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and say “Thank you, teacher.”

Learning Point: Pupils conclude the lesson with a positive reinforcement and a call to observe their environment.

Lesson Keywords

• Insects – small living things with often six legs.
• Cockroach – a common crawling insect.
• Mosquito – a small flying insect that bites.
• Ant – a tiny insect that lives in colonies.
• Butterfly – a beautiful flying insect with colourful wings.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who are struggling, use only 2-3 very distinct insect pictures (e.g., cockroach, butterfly) and focus on repetitive naming and pointing. Provide hand-over-hand guidance for pointing.
• Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concept, ask them to name other insects not shown, or describe a simple feature of an insect (e.g., “The butterfly has wings,” “The ant is tiny”).