Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, prepare clear pictures or charts showing a church, a mosque, and possibly a traditional shrine, along with images of people worshipping in these places. The central idea for pupils is to recognize that people have different ways of believing in God and different places where they go to worship, fostering an early sense of respect for diversity. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can name at least two types of religion and their corresponding places of worship.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 6
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Civic Education
Curriculum Theme: Civic Education
Previous Lesson: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Topic: Religious Institutions
Subject Matter: Meaning and types of religion and places of worship.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- State a simple meaning of religion.
- Name at least two types of religion found in their locality.
- Identify the places of worship for different religions.
Affective Domain
- Show respect for people of different religious beliefs.
- Appreciate the diversity of worship places in their community.
Psychomotor Domain
- Point to pictures of different places of worship when named.
- Participate in discussions about different religions.
Social Domain
- Share simple observations about religious practices they have seen.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Chart showing different types of religion and their places of worship
- Posters or picture cards of a Church, Mosque, and a traditional shrine/grove
- Pictures of people praying in different ways
- Audio recording of simple religious greetings (optional)
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds to begin understanding the diverse community they live in. Learning about different religions and places of worship at an early age helps children develop respect, tolerance, and an appreciation for the beliefs of others, which are foundational civic values.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify different buildings in their community and understand that people go to different places for different activities (e.g., school for learning, market for buying). They may also have observed family members or neighbours going to places of worship.Lesson Content/Board Summary
Meaning and Types of Religion and Places of Worship
What is Religion?
Religion is how people believe in God or a higher power and show their love and respect. It is how they worship and live their lives according to their beliefs.
Types of Religion in our Locality:
- Christianity: People who believe in Jesus Christ.
- Islam: People who believe in Allah and Prophet Muhammad.
- Traditional African Religion: People who worship ancestors and spirits of nature.
Places of Worship:
- Christians go to a Church to worship.
- Muslims go to a Mosque to worship.
- People who practice Traditional African Religion may worship in a Shrine or a sacred grove.
Key Words
- Religion – How people believe in God and worship.
- Church – A place where Christians worship.
- Mosque – A place where Muslims worship.
- Shrine – A place where traditional worshippers worship.
Our Worship Places Rhyme
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
Church, Mosque, Shrine, so grand,
Different places in our land.
People go to pray and sing,
Love and peace, their hearts they bring.
Church, Mosque, Shrine, so bright,
All worship in God’s light.
Actions: Point upwards for “grand,” sweep hands around for “land,” bring hands to heart for “love and peace,” make a steeple shape for “Church,” a dome shape for “Mosque,” and a tree shape for “Shrine.”
Watch and Learn About Places of Worship
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Explain “religion” simply as how people believe and show love to God. Use the chart/pictures to introduce each religion and its place of worship. Emphasize that all people are good and deserve respect, regardless of their religion.
What to show or demonstrate: Show clear pictures of a Church, Mosque, and a traditional shrine. Point to each picture as you name the religion and its place of worship. You can also show pictures of people praying in different ways (e.g., kneeling, bowing, standing).
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Our Worship Places Rhyme” after discussing the different places. Sing it twice or thrice, encouraging pupils to join in with the actions. The actions should help them remember the different places.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a way to see more places of worship around the world. Play the video, pausing if necessary to point out familiar places or discuss new ones. After watching, ask pupils what new places they saw or what they remember about the places discussed.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils can correctly identify and name at least two places of worship. Watch for any signs of disrespect or confusion, and gently guide them towards understanding and acceptance.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Discussion, Repetition.Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and leads them in a familiar “Good Morning” song. The teacher then asks pupils what different buildings they see in their community (e.g., school, market, big house). The teacher then says, “Today, we will talk about special places where people go to talk to God.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing along, and name different buildings they know.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and prepared for the lesson.
Step 2: Meaning of Religion
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Concept Introduction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains in simple terms what religion means: “Religion is how we believe in God and show our love to God. It’s how we worship and live.” The teacher gives simple examples like saying prayers or singing songs to God.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and may share simple examples of how their families worship (e.g., “My mummy prays”).
Learning Point: Pupils understand a simple meaning of religion.
Step 3: Types of Religion in the Locality
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Identification/Guided Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks, “Do you know different ways people believe in God here in our community?” The teacher guides pupils to name common religions like Christianity and Islam. The teacher introduces pictures of people practising these religions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils try to name religions they know, guided by the teacher. They observe the pictures.
Learning Point: Pupils identify common religions in their locality.
Step 4: Places of Worship
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Association/Visual Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses charts/posters to show pictures of a Church, Mosque, and a traditional shrine. For each picture, the teacher says, “Christians go to a Church,” “Muslims go to a Mosque,” “Traditional worshippers go to a Shrine.” The teacher asks pupils to point to each place as it is named.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the pictures, listen to the names, and point to the correct place of worship.
Learning Point: Pupils associate religions with their places of worship.
Step 5: Rhyme and Video Reinforcement
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Auditory & Visual Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing the “Our Worship Places Rhyme” with actions. After the rhyme, the teacher introduces and plays the short video about different places of worship, encouraging pupils to watch carefully.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the video, pointing out places they recognize.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their learning through song and visual media.
Step 6: Discussion and Application
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Application/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher holds up pictures of a Church, Mosque, and Shrine again. The teacher asks, “Who goes to the Church?” “Who goes to the Mosque?” “What do people do in these places?” The teacher encourages pupils to share simple answers and emphasizes respecting all places of worship.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions, naming the people who go to each place and sharing simple activities.
Learning Point: Pupils apply their knowledge and practice respectful discussion.
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.
- What is religion? (Simple answer)
- Name one religion you know.
- Point to the picture of a Church.
- Point to the picture of a Mosque.
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/Closure
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes by saying, “Today we learned that people have different ways of believing in God and different places to worship. We must always respect everyone’s beliefs and their places of worship.” The teacher leads a closing song.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and sing the closing song.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the main message of respect and diversity.
Lesson Keywords
- Religion – How people believe in God and worship.
- Church – A place where Christians worship.
- Mosque – A place where Muslims worship.
- Shrine – A place where traditional worshippers worship.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who are struggling, the teacher can use larger, more distinct pictures, repeat names of places and religions more often, and guide their hands to point to the correct images. Focus on identifying just one religion and its place of worship initially.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concepts quickly, the teacher can ask them to name other places of worship they might have seen or heard about, or discuss why it’s important to be kind to everyone, no matter their religion.
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