Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, ensure you have a clear, spacious area (either an open classroom or playground) where children can move freely and safely. The core of this lesson is active participation in the “London Bridge” song and game, emphasizing rhythm, movement, and cooperative play. Pupils should be able to recite parts of the song and demonstrate the actions, especially forming the ‘bridge’ with a partner and catching others.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 6
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Physical & Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Simple movement and body awareness.
Topic: LONDON BRIDGE
Subject Matter: LONDON BRIDGE.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Recall the lyrics of the “London Bridge is Falling Down” song.
- Identify the actions associated with the “London Bridge” game.
Affective Domain
- Enjoy participating in the “London Bridge” song and game.
- Cooperate with peers during the role-play activity.
Psychomotor Domain
- Recite the “London Bridge is Falling Down” song with appropriate rhythm.
- Move their bodies in rhythm to the song.
- Role-play the “London Bridge” game by forming an arch and catching others.
Social Domain
- Take turns and play cooperatively with classmates.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Videos of the “London Bridge is Falling Down” song
- Rhyme book (optional, for lyrics reference)
- Open playground or spacious classroom
- Music player (optional, for background music or song playback)
- Pictures of bridges (optional, to introduce the concept)
Rationale for the Lesson
The “London Bridge” lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it promotes physical development through movement and coordination, enhances listening skills, and encourages social interaction. Engaging in the song and game helps children develop a sense of rhythm, follow instructions, and learn to play cooperatively with their peers, which are crucial skills for their overall growth and development.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can listen to simple songs, follow basic instructions, and perform simple movements like walking and clapping.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
LONDON BRIDGE
London Bridge is a very old and famous bridge in a city called London. There is a fun children’s song and game about it! We will learn to sing the song and play the game where we make a ‘bridge’ with our hands and catch our friends.
London Bridge Song Lyrics and Actions
Tune: Traditional Nursery Rhyme
Lyrics:
London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.
Build it up with wood and clay,
Wood and clay, wood and clay.
Build it up with wood and clay,
My fair lady.
Wood and clay will wash away,
Wash away, wash away.
Wood and clay will wash away,
My fair lady.
Build it up with iron bars,
Iron bars, iron bars.
Build it up with iron bars,
My fair lady.
Actions:
- “London Bridge is falling down”: Two children form an arch with their hands (the bridge). Other children walk under the arch in a line. As the song ends, the two children forming the arch lower their arms to “catch” the child passing through.
- “Falling down”: Wiggle fingers downwards.
- “Build it up with wood and clay”: Make building motions with hands, patting imaginary clay.
- “Wood and clay will wash away”: Wiggle hands like water flowing.
- “Build it up with iron bars”: Make strong arm motions, like building with heavy bars.
Watch and Move Along
Key Words
- Bridge – A structure built over a river or road for people or cars to cross.
- Rhythm – A strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound.
- Role-play – To act out a part or a situation, like playing a game.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Begin by asking pupils if they know what a bridge is. Show a picture of a bridge if available. Introduce the “London Bridge” song as a fun game. Recite the lyrics clearly, line by line, and have pupils repeat after you. Explain the simple actions for each verse.
What to show or demonstrate: Demonstrate the actions for each line of the song. Most importantly, demonstrate how two pupils can form an arch with their hands to be the “bridge” and how other pupils walk under. Show how the “bridge” lowers its arms to “catch” a child at the end of the verse.
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing the song slowly at first, emphasizing the rhythm. Gradually increase speed as pupils become familiar. Encourage pupils to do the actions as they sing. Repeat the song and game multiple times to allow everyone a chance to be part of the ‘bridge’ and to be ‘caught’.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a way to see other children playing the game. Play the video and encourage pupils to sing along and perform the actions they have learned. After the video, discuss what they saw and reinforce the actions.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are following the rhythm, performing the actions correctly, and cooperating when forming the bridge and passing through. Ensure all pupils get a turn to participate in different roles.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Role-play
- Imitation
- Repetition
- Practical Activity
- 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 a short warm-up activity like clapping and marching. The teacher then asks pupils if they know what a bridge is and shows a picture if available, introducing the idea of a famous bridge in London.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, participate in warm-up, and share their ideas about bridges.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the concept of a bridge.
Step 2: Presentation of the Song
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the “London Bridge is Falling Down” song. The teacher recites the first verse slowly, explaining the meaning of “falling down” and “building up.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the teacher reciting the song and explanation.
Learning Point: Pupils become familiar with the song’s title and initial lyrics.
Step 3: Recitation and Actions (Teacher-led)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Repetition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the entire song, demonstrating the actions clearly for each verse. The teacher encourages pupils to watch and try to imitate the actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstration and attempt to imitate the actions and repeat parts of the lyrics.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to associate actions with the song lyrics and develop a sense of rhythm.
Step 4: Guided Practice (Pupil-Teacher)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Correction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the song together, guiding them through the actions. The teacher provides gentle correction and encouragement for rhythm and movement.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing along with the teacher and perform the actions, trying to keep in rhythm.
Learning Point: Pupils gain confidence in reciting the song and performing the actions.
Step 5: Role-play the London Bridge Game
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Group Activity
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains how to play the “London Bridge” game. Two pupils stand facing each other, joining hands to form an arch (the bridge). Other pupils walk under the arch in a line. As the song ends, the ‘bridge’ lowers its arms to ‘catch’ a pupil. The teacher supervises to ensure safety and turn-taking.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils form pairs to create the bridge and take turns walking under, getting ‘caught’, and forming new bridges.
Learning Point: Pupils actively role-play the game, developing cooperation and physical coordination.
Step 6: Video Reinforcement
Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Aid/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the “London Bridge is Falling Down” video. The teacher encourages pupils to sing along and perform the actions as they watch.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video, sing along, and move their bodies in rhythm to the song.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their learning through visual and auditory stimulation.
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 a part of the London Bridge song?”
- “Show me how the bridge falls down.”
- “Who can show me how to build the bridge with a friend?”
- “What do we do when the bridge falls down in the game?”
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/Praise
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their active participation and good rhythm. The teacher reminds them that playing games like “London Bridge” is fun and helps them move their bodies. The teacher leads a final, quick round of the song.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to praise and participate in the final song round.
Learning Point: Pupils feel accomplished and understand the importance of physical activity.
Lesson Keywords
- Bridge – A path built over water or land.
- Rhythm – The beat of a song or movement.
- Role-play – To pretend to be someone or something else in a game.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who find it difficult to remember the lyrics or actions, the teacher should provide more one-on-one guidance, slow down the song, repeat actions multiple times, or pair them with a peer who can model the movements. The teacher can also use hand-over-hand guidance for forming the arch.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the song and game, encourage them to lead a small group, suggest different ways to move under the bridge (e.g., hopping, skipping), or ask them to create a simple new action for a part of the song.
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