Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, prepare pictures or charts of various animals (e.g., frog, horse, bird, snake, fish, dog, monkey). Ensure a clear space in the classroom for pupils to safely mimic animal movements. The central idea for pupils is that animals move in different ways. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can identify and demonstrate at least three different animal movements.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 9
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Basic Science and Technology
Curriculum Theme: Basic Science and Technology
Previous Lesson: Identifying common animals in our environment.
Topic: ANIMAL MOVEMENT
Subject Matter: Meaning of animal movement and examples of how animals move.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Explain in simple terms that animals move from one place to another.
- Identify at least three different ways animals move.
- Name animals that move in specific ways (e.g., a bird flies).
Affective Domain
- Show interest in observing how different animals move.
- Participate actively in mimicking animal movements.
Psychomotor Domain
- Mimic the movement of at least three common animals (e.g., hop like a frog, fly like a bird).
Social Domain
- Take turns and share space during group movement activities.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3.
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources on animals.
- Relevant picture books or charts showing animals in motion.
Instructional Materials
- Charts showing various animals and their movements.
- Picture cards of animals (frog, horse, bird, snake, fish, dog, monkey, rabbit).
- Open space for movement activities.
- Video player/screen for showing animal movement video.
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps 4-year-olds understand that living things, especially animals, are active and move in diverse ways. It connects to their daily observations of animals around them and encourages physical activity, coordination, and an appreciation for nature.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify and name several common domestic and wild animals. They also have some experience with simple body movements like walking, running, and jumping.Lesson Content/Board Summary
ANIMAL MOVEMENT
What is Movement?
Movement means to go from one place to another. Animals move to find food, find shelter, or escape danger.
How Animals Move:
- Hop: A frog hops. A rabbit hops.
- Gallop: A horse gallops.
- Fly: A bird flies. A butterfly flies.
- Crawl: A snake crawls. A snail crawls.
- Swim: A fish swims. A duck swims.
- Run/Walk: A dog runs. A cat runs. A human walks.
- Swing/Climb: A monkey swings on trees.
Key Words
- Movement – going from one place to another.
- Hop – to jump on one or both feet.
- Gallop – to run fast with long steps.
- Fly – to move through the air with wings.
- Crawl – to move on hands and knees or on the belly.
- Swim – to move through water.
Movement Rhyme
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Animals move in many ways,
Through the nights and through the days.
A bird can fly up in the sky,
A fish can swim so far and nigh.
A frog can hop, a snake can crawl,
Animals move, one and all!
Actions:
- “Animals move in many ways” – wiggle fingers.
- “A bird can fly” – flap arms like wings.
- “A fish can swim” – make swimming motion with hands.
- “A frog can hop” – hop gently on the spot.
- “A snake can crawl” – make crawling motion with hands on the floor.
- “Animals move, one and all!” – clap hands.
Watch and Move Along
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Start by asking pupils what “move” means. Explain that animals move to find food or stay safe. Use the charts and picture cards to show each animal and demonstrate its movement. Encourage pupils to repeat the animal’s name and its movement word.
What to show or demonstrate: Show pictures of a frog hopping, a horse galloping, a bird flying, a snake crawling, a fish swimming, and a dog running. Physically demonstrate each movement in an exaggerated, fun way, inviting pupils to join in.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Movement Rhyme” after discussing a few animal movements. Sing it slowly with actions, repeating it 2-3 times. Encourage pupils to perform the actions with you.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see more animals moving. Ask pupils to watch carefully and try to mimic the movements they see. After the video, discuss some of the animals and their movements shown.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are able to link the animal to its specific movement and if they can safely mimic the actions. Encourage shy pupils to participate by joining them in the movements.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Imitation
- Practical Activity
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to stand up and walk around the classroom, then sit down. The teacher asks, “What did you just do?” and introduces the idea of “movement.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, stand up, walk around, and sit down. They respond to the question, “We moved!”
Learning Point: Pupils understand that moving means going from one place to another.
Step 2: Explanation of Animal Movement
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Concept Development
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that animals also move from one place to another, but they move in different ways. The teacher shows pictures of various animals and asks, “How do you think this animal moves?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and observe the animal pictures. They offer ideas on how the animals might move.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp that animals move and that there are different ways of moving.
Step 3: Demonstrating Animal Movements (Part 1)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a picture of a frog and says, “A frog hops!” The teacher demonstrates hopping. Then, the teacher shows a picture of a horse and says, “A horse gallops!” The teacher demonstrates galloping.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstrations and try to mimic hopping like a frog and galloping like a horse.
Learning Point: Pupils learn and practice “hop” and “gallop” movements.
Step 4: Demonstrating Animal Movements (Part 2)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher continues by showing pictures and demonstrating movements for a bird (fly), a snake (crawl), and a fish (swim). The teacher guides pupils to imitate each movement.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher and mimic flying like a bird, crawling like a snake, and swimming like a fish.
Learning Point: Pupils learn and practice “fly,” “crawl,” and “swim” movements.
Step 5: Rhyme and Video Reinforcement
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Integration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing the “Movement Rhyme” with actions. Afterwards, the teacher plays the short video on animal movements, encouraging pupils to watch and move along.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the video, attempting to mimic the animal movements shown.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of animal movements through song and visual examples.
Step 6: Listing and Identifying Movements
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Application/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to name an animal and tell how it moves. The teacher shows various animal pictures and asks, “How does this animal move?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils name animals and describe their movements, or identify the movement for a given animal picture.
Learning Point: Pupils apply their knowledge by linking animals to their specific movements.
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.
- What does it mean to move?
- Show me how a frog moves.
- How does a bird move?
- Show me how a snake moves.
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: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their active participation and reminds them that all animals move in different, special ways. The teacher encourages them to observe animals moving around them.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and acknowledge the teacher’s concluding remarks.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are encouraged to observe their environment.
Lesson Keywords
- Move – to go from one place to another.
- Hop – to jump on one or both feet.
- Fly – to move through the air.
- Crawl – to move on the ground on hands and knees or belly.
- Swim – to move in water.
- Gallop – to run fast like a horse.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who find it difficult to mimic movements, the teacher can provide more direct hand-over-hand guidance or simplify the movements. Use larger, clearer picture cards and repeat instructions slowly. Focus on just two or three key movements.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concepts, the teacher can ask them to name other animals and guess how they move, or challenge them to combine two different animal movements in a sequence.
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