Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare your charts or pictures of domestic animals, ensuring they are clear and colourful for young eyes. Have real animal toys or puppets ready if available. The central idea is for pupils to recognise and name common domestic animals and understand they are animals that live with people. Observe if pupils can point to and say the names of at least two domestic animals by the end of the lesson.
Class: Pre-School Level 1
Term: Second Term
Week: 5
Age: 2 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Pre-Science
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: General observation of things around the home.
Topic: DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Subject Matter: Meaning of domestic animals (animals found at home); Examples of domestic animals.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify pictures of domestic animals.
- Name at least two domestic animals.
- Repeat the sounds of common domestic animals.
Affective Domain
- Show interest in learning about animals.
- Listen attentively to the teacher.
Psychomotor Domain
- Point to specific domestic animals on charts or pictures.
- Attempt to colour pictures of domestic animals.
Social Domain
- Participate in classroom activities like singing and making animal sounds.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 1
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
- Suitable early-years picture books on animals
Instructional Materials
- Charts and posters showing various domestic animals (dog, cat, goat, chicken, cow)
- Real animal toys or puppets (e.g., dog, cat)
- MP4 Player or tablet for video playback
- Colouring sheets with outlines of domestic animals
- Crayons
Rationale for the Lesson
Learning about domestic animals helps 2-year-olds understand the living things in their immediate environment. It fosters observation skills, vocabulary development, and an appreciation for animals that live close to humans, connecting classroom learning to their daily experiences at home or in their community.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can recognise common objects and may have seen some animals around their homes or in their neighbourhood.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
What are Domestic Animals?
Domestic animals are animals that live with people at home or on a farm. People take care of them.
Examples of Domestic Animals:
- Dog: A friendly animal that barks. (Woof! Woof!)
- Cat: A soft animal that mews. (Meow! Meow!)
- Goat: An animal that bleats. (Meeeh! Meeeh!)
- Chicken: A bird that clucks and lays eggs. (Cluck! Cluck!)
- Cow: A big animal that gives us milk. (Moo! Moo!)
Key Words
- Domestic – animals that live with people.
- Animals – living things that move and eat.
- Home – where we live.
Domestic Animals Song
Tune: “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”
Lyrics:
I have animals at my home, E-I-E-I-O!
And on my home, I have a dog, E-I-E-I-O!
With a woof-woof here and a woof-woof there,
Here a woof, there a woof, everywhere a woof-woof!
I have animals at my home, E-I-E-I-O!
I have animals at my home, E-I-E-I-O!
And on my home, I have a cat, E-I-E-I-O!
With a meow-meow here and a meow-meow there,
Here a meow, there a meow, everywhere a meow-meow!
I have animals at my home, E-I-E-I-O!
Actions:
- Point to self on “I have animals”.
- Make barking motions for “dog” and “woof-woof”.
- Make purring motions or stroke an imaginary cat for “cat” and “meow-meow”.
- Clap hands on “E-I-E-I-O!”.
Watch and Learn About Domestic Animals
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Use the charts and pictures to introduce each animal. Point to the animal and say its name clearly. Emphasize that these animals live with people. Repeat the names and sounds several times, encouraging pupils to imitate. Keep explanations very brief and use simple language.
What to show or demonstrate: Show pictures of each domestic animal. Make the sound of each animal clearly and encourage pupils to copy. If you have animal toys, show them and let pupils touch them (if appropriate).
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing the “Domestic Animals Song” slowly and clearly. Demonstrate the actions for the dog and cat. Encourage pupils to join in with the sounds and simple actions. Repeat the song two or three times to reinforce learning.
How to use the video: Introduce the video by saying, “Let’s watch more animals that live with us!” Play the short video. After watching, pause and ask pupils to point to animals they remember or make their sounds. You can replay short segments if pupils are particularly engaged.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are able to point to the correct animal when named and if they attempt to make the animal sounds. Encourage all pupils to participate, even if they only make small sounds or gestures.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Picture Talk
- Songs and Rhymes
- Guided Practice
- Question and Answer
- Imitation
- Manipulation of Objects (toys)
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Greeting
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and leads a short “Good Morning” song. The teacher then makes a few animal sounds (e.g., “Woof! Meow!”) and asks, “What animals make these sounds?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the greeting, sing along, and try to guess the animal sounds.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the topic of animals.
Step 2: Meaning of Domestic Animals
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a chart with various domestic animals. The teacher explains simply, “These are animals that live with us at home. They are called domestic animals.” The teacher points to a dog and says, “A dog lives with us. It’s a domestic animal.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the chart, listen to the teacher, and point to the animals as the teacher names them.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that domestic animals live with people.
Step 3: Examples of Domestic Animals (Dog and Cat)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Naming/Sound Association
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a clear picture or toy of a dog. “This is a dog! What sound does a dog make?” (Woof! Woof!). The teacher then shows a cat. “This is a cat! What sound does a cat make?” (Meow! Meow!). The teacher repeats the names and sounds, encouraging pupils to imitate.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the pictures/toys, repeat “dog” and “cat”, and make the “woof” and “meow” sounds.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and name “dog” and “cat” and associate them with their sounds.
Step 4: More Examples of Domestic Animals (Goat and Chicken)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Naming/Sound Association
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces pictures of a goat and a chicken, following the same pattern as Step 3. “This is a goat! Meeeh! Meeeh!” “This is a chicken! Cluck! Cluck!” The teacher ensures pupils repeat the names and sounds.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the goat and chicken, say their names, and imitate their sounds.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and name “goat” and “chicken” and associate them with their sounds.
Step 5: Domestic Animals Song
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Singing/Movement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Domestic Animals Song” (to the tune of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”), focusing on the dog and cat verses. The teacher demonstrates the actions and encourages pupils to join in.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing along, make animal sounds, and perform the simple actions.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce learning through song and movement.
Step 6: Video and Colouring Activity
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Learning/Fine Motor
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the short video on domestic animals. After the video, the teacher distributes colouring sheets with outlines of domestic animals (e.g., a dog and a cat) and crayons, guiding pupils to colour.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and then attempt to colour the domestic animals on their sheets.
Learning Point: Pupils visually reinforce animal recognition and develop fine motor skills through colouring.
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.
- “Point to the dog on the chart.”
- “What sound does a cat make?”
- “Show me the chicken.”
- “Name one animal that lives at home.”
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: Recap/Closure
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and briefly reminds them that they learned about domestic animals like dogs, cats, goats, and chickens. The teacher leads a short goodbye song.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, respond to praise, and sing the goodbye song.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate learning and end the lesson positively.
Lesson Keywords
- Domestic – animals that live with people.
- Animals – living things that move and eat.
- Home – where we live.
- Dog – a domestic animal that barks.
- Cat – a domestic animal that mews.
- Goat – a domestic animal that bleats.
- Chicken – a domestic bird that clucks.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, provide more one-on-one repetition of animal names and sounds. Use larger, clearer pictures. Guide their hands gently for colouring.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concepts, encourage them to identify other domestic animals they might know (e.g., sheep, rabbit) or make the sounds of all the animals learned without prompting.
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