Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, ensure you have a clear, safe, and open space (like a playground or large classroom area) where pupils can move freely without bumping into each other. The central idea is for pupils to understand and actively demonstrate hopping on both feet together, mimicking a kangaroo. Watch for pupils who might struggle with balance or coordination and provide gentle support. Successful learning will be evident when pupils can confidently perform a two-footed hop.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 7
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Physical & Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Physical and Health Education
Previous Lesson: Simple movement exercises like walking and running.
Topic: KANGAROO HOP: PRACTICAL HOPPING EXERCISE
Subject Matter: Kangaroo Hop: Practical Hopping Exercise
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify a kangaroo from a picture.
- Describe how a kangaroo moves.
Affective Domain
- Show enthusiasm while participating in hopping exercises.
- Enjoy imitating the movements of a kangaroo.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate a two-footed hop, keeping feet together.
- Perform a series of kangaroo hops across a short distance.
Social Domain
- Take turns and participate cooperatively in group hopping activities.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Pictures of kangaroos
- Video of kangaroos hopping or children hopping
- Open playground or large classroom space
- Music for movement (optional)
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it develops gross motor skills, balance, and coordination through a fun and engaging activity. Hopping strengthens leg muscles and helps children understand their body’s capabilities, which are crucial for overall physical development and active play.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can already move their bodies in various ways, such as walking, running, and jumping. They can also follow simple instructions and imitate actions.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
KANGAROO HOP: PRACTICAL HOPPING EXERCISE
A Kangaroo Hop is a fun way to move by jumping forward with both feet together at the same time. Just like a kangaroo!
- Kangaroo are animals that live far away.
- They have strong legs and a big tail.
- Kangaroo move by hopping on their two strong back legs, keeping them together.
- We can also hop like a kangaroo by keeping our feet together and jumping forward.
How to do a Kangaroo Hop:
- Stand tall with your feet together.
- Bend your knees a little.
- Swing your arms gently forward as you push off the ground.
- Jump forward, landing softly on both feet at the same time.
- Keep your feet together as you hop!
Movement Rhyme: The Kangaroo Hop
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Lyrics:
Kangaroo, kangaroo, hop, hop, hop,
Feet together, never stop.
Up and down, we go so high,
Hopping, hopping, to the sky.
Kangaroo, kangaroo, hop, hop, hop,
Feet together, never stop.
Actions: Pupils stand with feet together, bend knees, and hop gently on the spot or forward as they sing. Swing arms like a kangaroo.
Watch and Practise
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce the concept of a kangaroo hop by showing pictures of kangaroos and discussing how they move. Emphasize “feet together” as the key action. Use simple, clear language.
What to show or demonstrate: Clearly demonstrate the kangaroo hop several times in an open space, highlighting keeping both feet together and landing softly. Show pictures of real kangaroos hopping.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Kangaroo Hop” rhyme after explaining the movement. Sing it slowly first, performing the actions. Then, encourage pupils to join in, singing and hopping along. Repeat it several times to reinforce the movement and rhythm.
How to use the video: Play the video for pupils, encouraging them to watch how the children hop. After watching, have pupils imitate the hopping actions shown in the video. Pause and replay sections if needed to focus on specific movements.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are keeping their feet together when hopping. Some might naturally jump with one foot or spread their feet. Gently guide them to keep their feet close. Also, ensure they have enough space to hop safely.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Imitation
- Songs and Rhymes
- Practical Activity
- Question and Answer
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engaging/Warm-up
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and leads a short warm-up activity like stretching arms and legs, and wiggling fingers and toes. The teacher asks, “Who can tell me about animals that jump?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, participate in the warm-up, and may name animals like frogs or rabbits.
Learning Point: Pupils are ready for the lesson and recall animals that jump.
Step 2: Presentation of Kangaroo Hop
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explaining/Visual Aids
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of kangaroos and asks, “What animal is this? How does it move?” The teacher explains that kangaroos move by hopping with both feet together and introduces the “Kangaroo Hop.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the kangaroo, observe the pictures, and listen to the explanation of how kangaroos move.
Learning Point: Pupils recognise a kangaroo and understand its unique movement.
Step 3: Teacher Demonstration
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Modelling/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher moves to an open space and clearly demonstrates the kangaroo hop several times, emphasizing keeping feet together and jumping forward. The teacher says, “Watch me! Feet together, hop, hop, hop!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstration carefully, observing the movement of the feet and body.
Learning Point: Pupils visually understand the correct technique for a kangaroo hop.
Step 4: Guided Practice with Rhyme
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Singing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the “Kangaroo Hop” rhyme and leads the pupils in singing it while performing the hopping actions together. The teacher encourages pupils to keep their feet together.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme and attempt to hop like a kangaroo, following the teacher’s lead and actions.
Learning Point: Pupils practise the kangaroo hop with rhythmic support and repetition.
Step 5: Group Hopping Activity
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Facilitating/Observation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher organises pupils into a line or small groups and guides them to hop like kangaroos across a short distance in the open space. The teacher provides encouragement and gentle correction.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns or hop together in groups, practising the kangaroo hop across the designated area.
Learning Point: Pupils apply the hopping skill in a group setting, developing coordination and spatial awareness.
Step 6: Video and Further Practice
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Visual Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the video of children hopping like kangaroos and encourages pupils to watch and then imitate the movements they see. The teacher asks, “What did you see in the video?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and then practise hopping again, trying to mimic the actions from the video.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their hopping skills through visual examples and further practice.
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 show me how a kangaroo hops?” (Pupils demonstrate).
- “What do we do with our feet when we hop like a kangaroo?” (Pupils respond: “Keep them together”).
- “What animal did we learn to hop like today?” (Pupils respond: “Kangaroo”).
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: Summarising/Cool-down
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and effort. The teacher leads a short cool-down activity, like gentle stretching or deep breaths, and reminds them to keep practising their hops.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the cool-down and listen to the teacher’s concluding remarks.
Learning Point: Pupils end the lesson calmly and are encouraged to continue practising the skill.
Lesson Keywords
- Kangaroo – A large animal that hops on two strong legs.
- Hop – To jump on both feet together.
- Feet together – Keeping both feet close to each other when jumping.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who find it difficult to balance or coordinate, the teacher can hold their hands and guide them through the hopping motion. Provide a slower pace and more frequent demonstrations.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly master the hop, challenge them to hop further, hop in different directions (forward, backward, sideways), or count how many hops they can do in a row.
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