Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have the “Little Jack Horner” rhyme lyrics ready, either on a chart or in a book, and an MP3 player if using audio. The central idea is for pupils to learn the rhyme through repetition and actions, understanding simple vocabulary. Observe pupils actively repeating the rhyme and performing the actions to confirm successful learning.

Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 7
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Listening to and repeating simple rhymes.
Topic: LITTLE JACK HORNER
Subject Matter: LITTLE JACK HORNER.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

Recite the “Little Jack Horner” rhyme from memory.
Identify key words from the rhyme like “corner” and “plum.”
Answer simple questions about the rhyme, such as “Who is Little Jack?”

Affective Domain

Show enjoyment while singing and repeating the rhyme.
Listen attentively to the teacher and peers during the lesson.

Psychomotor Domain

Perform simple actions related to the rhyme, such as miming eating a pie or pulling out a plum.
Participate in role-playing the rhyme.

Take turns and share during group activities.
Participate cooperatively in singing and role-playing with others.

Reference Materials

NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources

Instructional Materials

Mp3 player
Rhyme book or chart with “Little Jack Horner” lyrics
Picture cards showing a boy, a pie, a corner, and a plum
A small pretend pie and a toy plum (optional, for role-play)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps 4-year-olds develop their language skills, memory, and rhythm through the engaging “Little Jack Horner” rhyme. It also encourages imaginative play and social interaction as they repeat the words and act out the story, building a foundation for literacy and creative expression.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have previously listened to and repeated simple songs and rhymes, and can follow basic instructions. They are familiar with common objects like pies and fruits.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

LITTLE JACK HORNER

This rhyme tells the story of a boy named Jack who sits in a corner, eats a pie, and finds a plum, feeling proud of himself.

The Rhyme: Little Jack Horner

Tune: Traditional Nursery Rhyme

Lyrics:

Little Jack Horner
Sat in a corner,
Eating his Christmas pie;
He put in his thumb,
And pulled out a plum,
And said, “What a good boy am I!”

Actions:

Little Jack Horner: Point to self or a friend.
Sat in a corner: Pretend to sit, point to a corner.
Eating his Christmas pie: Mime eating a pie.
He put in his thumb: Wiggle thumb.
And pulled out a plum: Pretend to pull something out of the pie.
And said, “What a good boy am I!”: Pat chest proudly.

Key Words

Horner – A name for the boy in the rhyme.
Corner – The place where two walls meet.
Pie – A baked food, often with fruit inside.
Thumb – The short, thick finger on your hand.
Plum – A sweet, juicy fruit.

Watch and Practise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_j4z0g1S4k

💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary

How to teach the content: Begin by introducing the rhyme as a story about a boy. Recite the rhyme clearly and slowly, line by line, allowing pupils to hear the rhythm and words. Use the picture cards to help pupils visualise “corner,” “pie,” and “plum.”

What to show or demonstrate: Demonstrate each action for the rhyme clearly. Show pictures of a pie and a plum. Point to a corner in the classroom. Emphasise the actions for “eating his Christmas pie,” “put in his thumb,” and “pulled out a plum.”

How to use the rhyme/song: Recite the rhyme several times, first by yourself, then with pupils repeating after you, line by line. Gradually encourage them to join in with the actions. Sing it together as a class, repeating until pupils are confident.

How to use the video: Play the video after pupils have had some oral practice with the rhyme. Ask them to watch the actions and listen carefully. After watching, encourage pupils to imitate the actions they saw in the video while reciting the rhyme together.

What to watch for: Observe if pupils are attempting to repeat the words and perform the actions. Provide extra support to those who find it difficult by guiding their hands for actions or repeating lines slowly for them.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Motivation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and starts by asking if they like stories or songs about children. “Today, we will learn a fun rhyme about a boy named Jack and his pie!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and show excitement for a new rhyme.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready to learn.

Step 2: Presentation of the Rhyme

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Recitation/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the “Little Jack Horner” rhyme clearly and slowly, using the rhyme chart or book. The teacher performs simple actions as they recite.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the rhyme and watch the teacher’s actions.

Learning Point: Pupils hear the rhyme and observe the actions.

Step 3: Vocabulary and Explanation

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Picture Talk

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses picture cards to explain key words like “corner,” “pie,” and “plum.” “This is a corner (points to a corner), this is a yummy pie (shows pie picture), and this is a sweet plum (shows plum picture).”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the pictures and repeat the new words after the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the meaning of key words in the rhyme.

Step 4: Guided Repetition with Actions

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Repetition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the rhyme again, line by line, encouraging pupils to repeat each line and perform the actions together. “Let’s say ‘Little Jack Horner’ and point to ourselves!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat each line of the rhyme and try to perform the actions along with the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils begin to memorise the rhyme and associate words with actions.

Step 5: Singing and Reinforcement

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Singing/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the “Little Jack Horner” song from the MP3 player or sings it, encouraging all pupils to sing along and do the actions. The teacher may play the video at this point for visual reinforcement.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with the teacher and perform the actions, enjoying the song.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their learning through singing and visual aids.

Step 6: Role-Play and Application

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Role-play/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher invites a few pupils to role-play Little Jack Horner, sitting in a corner, miming eating a pie, and pulling out a plum. The teacher provides simple props if available.

Pupils’ Activity: Selected pupils take turns role-playing, while others watch and clap.

Learning Point: Pupils apply their understanding of the rhyme through imaginative play.

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.

“Who is the boy in our rhyme?” (Expected: Little Jack Horner)
“What was Jack eating?” (Expected: A pie)
“What did he pull out of his pie?” (Expected: A plum)
Ask pupils to show the action for “sat in a corner.”

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: Closure/Encouragement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and effort. “You all did so well learning about Little Jack Horner! Keep practising the rhyme at home.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to praise and look forward to practising the rhyme.

Learning Point: Pupils feel encouraged and motivated to continue learning.

Lesson Keywords

Jack Horner – The name of the boy in the rhyme.
Corner – A place where two walls meet.
Pie – A baked food, often sweet.
Plum – A small, sweet fruit.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who are struggling, the teacher can provide more one-on-one repetition, use hand-over-hand guidance for actions, or allow them to simply listen and clap along. Use larger, clearer picture cards.
Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the rhyme, encourage them to lead the actions for the class, or ask them to describe what Jack might have done after pulling out the plum.