Mary Had a Little Lamp for Pre-School Level 3

Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Songs and Rhymes
Previous Lesson: Listening to and repeating simple rhymes and songs.
Topic: MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB
Subject Matter: Learning and reciting the rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify characters (Mary, lamb) from the rhyme.
• Recite parts of the “Mary Had a Little Lamb” rhyme.
• Answer simple questions about the rhyme, such as “Is Mary’s lamb big or small?”

Affective Domain

• Show enthusiasm while singing and repeating the rhyme.
• Listen attentively to the song played on the MP3 player.

Psychomotor Domain

• Perform simple actions related to the rhyme (e.g., walking like a lamb).
• Participate in a simple role-play of Mary and the lamb.

Social Domain

• Take turns and cooperate during group singing and role-play.
• Engage with peers and the teacher during the lesson.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
• Early Childhood Care and Education Resources
• Suitable early-years rhyme books

Instructional Materials

• MP3 player with “Mary Had a Little Lamb” song
• Picture cards of Mary, a lamb, and a school
• Rhyme book (optional, for teacher reference)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps 4-year-olds develop language and memory skills through the repetition of a familiar rhyme. It also fosters social interaction and imaginative play as children participate in role-playing, connecting the rhyme to actions and simple concepts. Learning songs and rhymes builds a foundation for literacy and communication.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have previously listened to and enjoyed simple songs and rhymes, and can repeat short phrases or actions after the teacher.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB

“Mary Had a Little Lamb” is a classic nursery rhyme that tells the story of a girl named Mary and her pet lamb that followed her everywhere, even to school. The rhyme teaches about friendship, loyalty, and following rules.

Lyrics: Mary Had a Little Lamb

Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow;
And everywhere that Mary went,
The lamb was sure to go.

It followed her to school one day,
That was against the rule;
It made the children laugh and play,
To see a lamb at school.

And so the teacher turned it out,
But still it lingered near,
And waited patiently about,
Till Mary did appear.

Key Words

• Mary – A girl’s name.
• Lamb – A baby sheep.
• Fleece – The woolly coat of a sheep.
• Snow – White, soft ice that falls from the sky.
• School – A place where children learn.

Watch and Practise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy8TDg_Q_bY

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

• Play-based Learning
• Demonstration
• Guided Practice
• Songs and Rhymes
• Picture Talk
• Repetition
• Role-play

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up

Teacher’s Activity: Greets pupils and starts with a familiar warm-up song like “Good Morning to You.” Asks pupils if they have ever seen a sheep or a lamb.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and sing along. Some may share if they have seen a sheep or lamb.

Learning Point: Pupils are settled and ready for the lesson.

Step 2: Presentation of Rhyme Topic

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Introduction/Visual Aid

Teacher’s Activity: Introduces the topic “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Shows picture cards of Mary, a lamb, and a school. Explains that the rhyme is about a girl named Mary and her special lamb.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the picture cards and listen to the teacher’s explanation. They may point to Mary or the lamb.

Learning Point: Pupils recognise the main characters and theme of the rhyme.

Step 3: Listening to the Song

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Auditory Learning

Teacher’s Activity: Plays the “Mary Had a Little Lamb” song on the MP3 player. Encourages pupils to listen carefully to the words and tune.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the song, some may hum along or sway to the music.

Learning Point: Pupils become familiar with the melody and rhythm of the rhyme.

Step 4: Guided Repetition of Rhyme

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Repetition/Oral Practice

Teacher’s Activity: Recites the rhyme line by line, or in short phrases, and asks pupils to repeat after her. Repeats challenging lines multiple times. Uses hand gestures to aid memory.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat the rhyme lines and phrases after the teacher, trying to remember the words.

Learning Point: Pupils begin to memorise and recite the rhyme.

Step 5: Actions and Movement

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Kinesthetic Learning/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: Demonstrates simple actions for the rhyme (e.g., walking like a lamb, pointing to self for “Mary,” pretending to go to school). Leads pupils in performing the actions while reciting the rhyme together.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils imitate the teacher’s actions while singing or repeating the rhyme.

Learning Point: Pupils connect words with actions, enhancing memory and engagement.

Step 6: Role-Play Activity

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Creative Expression/Role-play

Teacher’s Activity: Invites a few pupils to role-play Mary and the lamb. Guides them to walk like Mary and the lamb, pretending to follow each other to school. Encourages the rest of the class to sing the rhyme for them.

Pupils’ Activity: Selected pupils participate in role-play. Other pupils sing along, watching their classmates.

Learning Point: Pupils engage in imaginative play and demonstrate understanding of the story.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

1. “Who is the girl in our song?” (Point to Mary’s picture).
2. “What animal followed Mary?” (Point to lamb’s picture).
3. “Can you sing the first line of ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’?”
4. “Is Mary’s lamb big or small?”

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: Reinforcement/Praise

Teacher’s Activity: Praises pupils for their participation and effort. Briefly recaps the fun they had learning about Mary and her lamb. Leads a final group recitation of the rhyme.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to praise and participate in the final recitation.

Learning Point: Pupils feel a sense of accomplishment and retain the rhyme.

Lesson Keywords

• Mary – A girl.
• Lamb – A baby sheep.
• School – A place for learning.
• Fleece – Wool on a lamb.
• Snow – White and cold.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle, provide more one-on-one repetition of phrases. Use larger picture cards and point to characters as the rhyme is recited. Encourage them to only focus on the actions first.
• Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the rhyme, encourage them to sing it independently or lead a small group. Ask them to think of other animals that might follow someone to school, or to draw Mary and her lamb.