Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Third Term
Week: 8
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Creativity
Curriculum Theme: Creativity
Previous Lesson: Drawing and Colouring Shapes
Topic: Making Cards
Subject Matter: Making Cards

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

Identify materials used for making cards.
Describe simple steps for making a card.

Affective Domain

Show interest in creating their own cards.
Appreciate the value of handmade cards for communication.

Psychomotor Domain

Fold cardboard neatly to make a card shape.
Safely cut simple shapes from cardboard with guidance.
Decorate a card using various materials.
Write simple words or draw a picture on their card.

Share materials respectfully with classmates.
Take turns when using shared resources like scissors or glue.

Reference Materials

NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources

Instructional Materials

Cardboard (various colours and sizes)
Child-safe scissors
Pencils
Markers/Crayons
Glue sticks or liquid glue
Decorative items (e.g., glitter, stickers, old magazine cut-outs, coloured paper scraps, yarn)
Examples of different types of finished cards

Rationale for the Lesson

Making cards is an excellent activity for Pre-School Level 4 pupils as it fosters creativity, develops fine motor skills through cutting, folding, and decorating, and encourages early literacy by prompting them to write or draw messages. This practical lesson also helps children understand how to express feelings and communicate with others through a handmade gift.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can identify basic shapes and colours, hold a pencil or crayon correctly, and have some experience with drawing and colouring. They also have some experience with simple cutting activities.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Making Cards

A card is a special piece of paper or cardboard that we use to send messages to people. We can make cards for birthdays, holidays, or just to say “I love you” or “Thank you”.

Materials for Making Cards:

Cardboard
Scissors
Glue
Pencils, markers, crayons
Things to decorate with (stickers, glitter, coloured paper)

Simple Steps to Make a Card:

Choose your cardboard.
Fold the cardboard in half to make a card shape.
Decorate the outside of your card. You can draw, colour, or stick things on it.
Open your card and write a message inside, or draw a picture for someone special.

Key Words

Card – a folded piece of paper or cardboard used for sending messages.
Fold – to bend something over on itself.
Decorate – to make something look pretty by adding things to it.
Write – to make letters or words on a surface.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

The teacher should show:

Different examples of simple greeting cards.
How to hold child-safe scissors correctly.
How to fold a piece of cardboard neatly in half.
How to apply glue and stick decorative items.
How to write simple words like “Mum,” “Dad,” “Love,” or “Thank You” on the board.

Card Making Rhyme

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:

Cardboard, cardboard, soft and bright,
Fold it gently, hold it tight.
Decorate with colours new,
Stickers, glitter, just for you.
Write a message, sweet and clear,
Happy card for someone dear!

Actions:

“Cardboard, cardboard, soft and bright”: Hold up a piece of cardboard.
“Fold it gently, hold it tight”: Pretend to fold the cardboard.
“Decorate with colours new”: Make decorating motions with hands.
“Stickers, glitter, just for you”: Wiggle fingers like sprinkling glitter.
“Write a message, sweet and clear”: Pretend to write with a pencil.
“Happy card for someone dear!”: Hold hands together like presenting a card.

How to use the rhyme: Sing the rhyme as pupils are folding and decorating their cards to reinforce the steps and bring joy to the activity.

Watch and Practise

The teacher will show a short video demonstrating how to make a simple card, reinforcing the steps shown by the teacher.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY6b0M9a_7Q

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Manipulation of Objects, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Motivation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them if they have ever received a special message or a gift card. The teacher shows examples of different simple cards (e.g., birthday card, thank you card) and asks what they are for.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions, share their experiences, and look at the cards shown by the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils understand what cards are and their purpose.

Step 2: Materials Identification

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identification/Naming

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays all the materials needed for card making (cardboard, scissors, glue, markers, decorative items). The teacher names each item and asks pupils to repeat the names.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and name the materials, repeating after the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils recognise and name the tools and materials for the activity.

Step 3: Demonstration (Folding & Cutting)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to take a piece of cardboard and fold it neatly in half to create a card shape. The teacher then shows how to safely hold child-safe scissors and make a simple cut (e.g., to trim edges or cut a simple shape if desired).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe carefully how the teacher folds and cuts, paying attention to safety.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the initial steps of card making and safe tool handling.

Step 4: Guided Practice (Folding & Cutting)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Supervision

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes cardboard and guides pupils to fold their cardboard in half. The teacher provides child-safe scissors and supervises closely as pupils attempt to make a simple cut or trim their card edges.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practice folding their cardboard and, with close supervision, make simple cuts to shape their cards.

Learning Point: Pupils develop fine motor skills through folding and cutting.

Step 5: Demonstration & Guided Practice (Decorating)

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Creativity/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to decorate the card using markers, crayons, glue, and decorative items. The teacher encourages pupils to be creative. The teacher then distributes the decorating materials.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils choose their materials and begin decorating the front of their cards, using their imagination.

Learning Point: Pupils express creativity through decorating their cards.

Step 6: Writing/Drawing on the Card

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Literacy/Expression

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to open their cards and write a simple message inside (e.g., “To Mum,” “Love Dad,” “Thank You”) or draw a picture for the person they want to give the card to. The teacher writes example words on the board.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to write simple words or draw a picture inside their cards.

Learning Point: Pupils practice early writing skills and express personal messages.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

“Show me your card.”
“What materials did you use to decorate your card?”
“What message did you put inside your card?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate, showing their finished cards.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson by presenting their handmade cards.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Recap/Closure

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their beautiful cards and encourages them to give their cards to someone special. The teacher reminds them that making things with their hands is fun.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils hold up their cards proudly and tidy up their workspace.

Learning Point: Pupils feel proud of their creations and remember the joy of making cards.

Lesson Keywords

Card – A folded piece of paper or cardboard used to send messages or greetings.
Fold – To bend something over on itself, like bending paper in half.
Decorate – To make something look attractive by adding ornaments or colours.
Scissors – A tool with two blades used for cutting.
Message – A short piece of information or news passed from one person to another.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who struggle with cutting, the teacher can pre-cut the cardboard into card shapes or provide cards with lighter lines for them to cut along. Provide hand-over-hand guidance for folding and writing. Offer larger stickers or pre-cut shapes for easier decoration.
Extension: For pupils who finish quickly, encourage them to make a second card, perhaps for a different person or with a more detailed drawing. They could also try to cut out more complex shapes or write their full name or a longer simple message.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure all materials are prepared and easily accessible. Have enough child-safe scissors for small groups or individual use, and clearly demonstrate how to use them safely. Emphasise that cards are for sending special messages, which adds meaning to the activity. Encourage pupils to be creative and express themselves freely through their decorations and messages. For the writing part, accept drawings or scribbles as valid forms of communication for those not yet writing full words. Circulate constantly to provide individual support, especially during cutting and writing. Praise effort and creativity over perfection. The observable action showing understanding will be pupils successfully creating a card, decorating it, and making an attempt to write or draw a message inside.