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 safely imitate the hopping movement of a kangaroo, developing their gross motor skills and balance. Observe pupils’ ability to bend their knees, push off the ground, and land softly, encouraging them to try again if they find it challenging.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 7
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Physical and Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Physical and Health Education
Previous Lesson: Simple body movements like jumping and stretching.
Topic: KANGAROO MOVEMENT: HOPPING LIKE A KANGAROO
Subject Matter: KANGAROO MOVEMENT. Weekly focus: Kangaroo Movement: Hopping Like a Kangaroo.
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 (hops).
Affective Domain
- Show enthusiasm while participating in hopping activities.
- Listen attentively to the teacher’s instructions and demonstrations.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate the hopping movement like a kangaroo.
- Practise hopping safely in an open space.
Social Domain
- Participate actively in group movement activities.
- Take turns and respect personal space while hopping.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education curriculum resources
Instructional Materials
- Pictures of a kangaroo
- Video of kangaroos hopping or children hopping like kangaroos
- Open playground or clear classroom space
Rationale for the Lesson
Learning kangaroo movement is important for 4-year-olds as it significantly contributes to their gross motor skill development, balance, and coordination. This active lesson also helps children understand different animal movements, encouraging physical activity and body awareness in a fun and engaging way.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can already perform simple movements like walking, running, and basic jumping. They may also have seen pictures of different animals.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
KANGAROO MOVEMENT: HOPPING LIKE A KANGAROO
A kangaroo is an animal that lives in Australia. Kangaroos are known for their strong legs and how they move by hopping or jumping.
To hop like a kangaroo, we need to:
- Bend our knees.
- Push off the ground with both feet at the same time.
- Land softly on both feet.
- Keep our body balanced.
Movement Rhyme: The Hopping Kangaroo
Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”
Lyrics:
The kangaroo hops all around, all around, all around,
The kangaroo hops all around, in the bush and on the ground.
Bend your knees and push up high, push up high, push up high,
Bend your knees and push up high, like a kangaroo in the sky.
Land so soft upon your feet, upon your feet, upon your feet,
Land so soft upon your feet, hopping is so very neat!
Actions:
- For “hops all around”: Bend knees and hop gently, moving around.
- For “Bend your knees and push up high”: Bend knees deeply, then jump up high with arms swinging slightly forward.
- For “Land so soft upon your feet”: Land gently, bending knees to absorb impact.
Watch and Move Along
Key Words
- Kangaroo – A large animal that hops on its strong back legs.
- Hop – To jump on both feet at the same time.
- Pouch – A pocket on a female kangaroo’s tummy where she carries her baby.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Begin by showing pupils a clear picture of a kangaroo and asking them what they know about it. Explain simply that kangaroos move by hopping. Demonstrate the hopping movement clearly, breaking it down into bending knees, pushing off, and landing softly. Emphasize safety and control.
What to show or demonstrate: Show the picture of a kangaroo. Physically demonstrate the hopping movement several times, exaggerating the bend in the knees and the soft landing. You can also show how a kangaroo uses its small front paws for balance.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce “The Hopping Kangaroo” rhyme after the initial demonstration. Sing it several times, encouraging pupils to join in with the actions. Use it as a fun way to reinforce the movement and encourage participation. Repeat it as needed throughout the activity.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a chance to see real kangaroos or other children hopping. Play the video, encouraging pupils to watch closely and try to imitate the movements they see. After the video, discuss what they observed and how it relates to their own hopping practice.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are bending their knees before hopping and landing softly. Look for balance and coordination. Provide individual encouragement and gentle correction, reminding them to use their whole body to hop.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Play-based Learning
- Songs and Rhymes
- Imitation
- Question and Answer
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads them in a simple warm-up exercise like stretching arms and legs. The teacher then shows a picture of a kangaroo and asks, “What animal is this? How do you think it moves?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, participate in warm-up stretches, and respond to the teacher’s questions about the kangaroo.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the topic.
Step 2: Explanation and Demonstration
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that kangaroos move by “hopping” and describes the action: bending knees, pushing off, and landing softly. The teacher then demonstrates the kangaroo hopping movement clearly and safely.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the explanation and watch the teacher’s demonstration carefully.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of hopping and observe the correct movement.
Step 3: Initial Guided Practice
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Correction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher invites pupils to stand up and gently guides them to try hopping like a kangaroo. The teacher provides verbal cues like “Bend your knees, up you go, land softly!” and offers individual support.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to hop like a kangaroo, following the teacher’s guidance and cues.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to practise the hopping movement with support.
Step 4: Movement Rhyme Reinforcement
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Song/Rhyme Integration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces “The Hopping Kangaroo” rhyme and sings it, demonstrating the actions. The teacher encourages pupils to sing along and perform the hopping actions with the rhyme.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme and perform the hopping actions, reinforcing the movement.
Learning Point: Pupils practise hopping in a fun, rhythmic way.
Step 5: Video Reinforcement
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Aid/Observation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the video, stating that pupils will see kangaroos or children hopping. The teacher plays the video and encourages pupils to watch and move along if they wish.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video, observe the hopping movements, and may try to move along with the video.
Learning Point: Pupils gain visual understanding and motivation for kangaroo movement.
Step 6: Extended Guided Practice in Open Space
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Supervised Practice/Movement Management
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher takes pupils to the playground or open space. The teacher reminds them about safe spacing and encourages them to practise hopping like kangaroos, moving around freely but carefully. The teacher observes and provides encouragement.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practise hopping like kangaroos in the designated open space, being mindful of others.
Learning Point: Pupils develop confidence and skill in hopping through extended practice.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 3 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?”
- “What do you do with your knees when you hop?”
- “What animal did we learn to move like today?”
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: Summarization/Cool-down
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their participation and effort. The teacher leads them in a short cool-down activity, like gentle swaying or deep breaths. The teacher reminds them that being active is good for their bodies.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the cool-down and listen to the teacher’s concluding remarks.
Learning Point: Pupils end the lesson feeling accomplished and relaxed.
Lesson Keywords
- Kangaroo – A large animal from Australia that has strong legs for hopping.
- Hop – To jump on both feet at the same time.
- Movement – The way something moves or changes position.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils struggling with balance, the teacher can hold their hand while they try to hop or encourage them to start with smaller, less vigorous hops. Provide more verbal cues and one-on-one demonstrations.
- Extension: For pupils who master the hopping movement quickly, encourage them to hop in different directions (forward, backward, sideways) or to count how many hops they can do in a short period. Ask them to name other animals that hop or jump.
Community Join the conversation Open discussion +