Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare clear pictures or flashcards of various school staff members like the Principal, Security Guard, Cleaner, and Nurse. The central idea is for pupils to identify these people and understand their simple roles in keeping the school running and safe. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can name at least two staff members and mention one thing they do.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 6
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Social Habits
Curriculum Theme: Social Habits
Previous Lesson: Understanding basic school rules and routines
Topic: MY SCHOOL (PEOPLE IN MY SCHOOL)
Subject Matter: MY SCHOOL (PEOPLE IN MY SCHOOL).
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify at least three different people who work in the school.
- Name the roles or duties of some school staff members (e.g., Principal, Security Guard, Cleaner).
- State why these people are important to the school.
Affective Domain
- Appreciate the work done by various people in the school.
- Show respect towards all school staff members.
Psychomotor Domain
- Point to pictures of different school staff when named.
- Demonstrate simple actions related to the duties of school staff (e.g., sweeping, greeting).
Social Domain
- Participate in discussions about people in the school.
- Interact positively with classmates during role-play activities.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3.
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources.
Instructional Materials
- Chart showing pictures of different school staff (Principal, Security Guard, Cleaner, Librarian, Nurse, Cook, Bus Driver).
- Posters depicting various school activities and the staff involved.
- Audio recording of a song about school helpers.
- Simple props for role-play (e.g., a small broom, a toy phone, a duster).
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps 4-year-olds understand that a school is a community where many people work together. Knowing who these people are and what they do helps pupils feel safer, build a sense of belonging, and learn to respect everyone’s contributions to their learning environment. It also teaches them who to approach for different needs.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils know their class teacher and some basic school rules. They can identify the school building and understand that it is a place for learning.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
MY SCHOOL (PEOPLE IN MY SCHOOL)
Our school is a place where we learn and play. Many people work in our school to help us and keep us safe. Let’s learn about some of them:
- The Principal/Head Teacher: The Principal is the head of the school. They make sure everyone is learning well and that the school is organised.
- Our Class Teachers: Teachers teach us new things, help us read and write, and guide us in class.
- The Security Guard: The Security Guard keeps us safe. They watch the gate and make sure only authorised people come into the school.
- The Cleaner: The Cleaner helps to keep our classrooms, toilets, and school compound neat and tidy. They sweep and mop.
- The School Nurse: The Nurse helps us when we are not feeling well or when we have a small injury.
- The School Cook: The Cook prepares yummy food for us to eat during break time.
- The Bus Driver: The Bus Driver drives the school bus to take some children safely to and from school.
Everyone in the school has an important job to do!
Key Words
- Principal – The head of the school.
- Security Guard – The person who keeps the school safe.
- Cleaner – The person who keeps the school tidy.
- Nurse – The person who helps when we are sick or hurt.
- Cook – The person who prepares food.
- Driver – The person who drives the school bus.
People in Our School Rhyme
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Principal, Principal, helps us grow,
Security keeps us safe, you know.
Cleaner sweeps and makes things neat,
Nurse helps when we hurt our feet.
Cook prepares our food so good,
Everyone helps, like they should!
Actions:
- Principal: Point to head.
- Security: Make a “safe” gesture with hands.
- Cleaner: Pretend to sweep.
- Nurse: Rub arm gently.
- Cook: Rub tummy.
- Everyone helps: Clap hands together.
Watch and Learn About School Helpers
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce each staff member one by one, using their picture or a chart. Explain their role in simple, clear sentences. Ask pupils to repeat the names and a simple duty for each. Emphasise the importance of each person.
What to show or demonstrate: Use large, clear pictures of the Principal, Security Guard, Cleaner, Nurse, Cook, and Bus Driver. Point to specific features in the pictures that show their job (e.g., a uniform, a broom, a first-aid kit). You can also demonstrate simple actions like sweeping or greeting.
How to use the rhyme/song: Teach the “People in Our School Rhyme” line by line, demonstrating the actions. Sing it several times with the pupils, encouraging them to join in with the actions and words. This helps reinforce the names and roles in a fun way.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a song about “people who help us in school.” Play the video for the pupils. After watching, discuss the different people they saw in the video and what they do. Encourage pupils to sing along or do the actions if the video includes them.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils can correctly identify the staff members from pictures and articulate their roles. Correct any misconceptions about who does what job in the school.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Role-play, Repetition, Discussion.
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Greeting
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and leads them in a short “Good Morning” song. The teacher then asks, “Who helps us learn in school?” and “Who keeps our school clean?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing along, and offer simple answers like “Teacher!” or “Cleaner!”
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and recall some familiar people in the school.
Step 2: Identification of School Staff (Principal/Head Teacher)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Identification/Description
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a picture of the Principal/Head Teacher. “This is our Principal/Head Teacher. She/He is in charge of the whole school! She/He makes sure everyone is happy and learning.” The teacher asks pupils to repeat “Principal” and points to the picture.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the picture, repeat “Principal,” and listen to the description.
Learning Point: Pupils identify the Principal and understand her/his main role.
Step 3: Identification of School Staff (Security Guard/Cleaner)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Recognition/Role Description
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of the Security Guard and the Cleaner. “This is our Security Guard. He keeps us safe!” and “This is our Cleaner. She keeps our school neat and tidy!” The teacher asks pupils to point to each person as their role is described.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures, repeat the names, and point to the correct person.
Learning Point: Pupils recognise the Security Guard and Cleaner and know their duties.
Step 4: Identification of School Staff (Nurse/Cook/Bus Driver)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Association/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays pictures of the School Nurse, Cook, and Bus Driver. “Who helps us when we are sick? The Nurse!” “Who makes our yummy food? The Cook!” “Who drives the school bus? The Bus Driver!” The teacher then leads the class in singing the “People in Our School Rhyme.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the Nurse, Cook, and Bus Driver from their pictures and sing the rhyme with actions.
Learning Point: Pupils associate staff members with their specific roles and reinforce learning through song.
Step 5: Video and Discussion
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Audio-visual Learning/Comprehension
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the video: “Now let’s watch a video about more people who help us in school!” The teacher plays the video “People in Our School Song” by The Kiboomers. After the video, the teacher asks, “Who did you see in the video?” and “What did they do?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video, listen to the song, and respond by naming people they saw and their actions.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of school staff and their roles through a different medium.
Step 6: Simple Role-Play
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Practical Application/Imitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils in a simple role-play. “Let’s pretend to be the Cleaner, sweeping the floor!” (Teacher demonstrates sweeping motion). “Now let’s pretend to be the Security Guard, waving hello at the gate!” (Teacher demonstrates waving). The teacher encourages all pupils to participate.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils imitate the teacher’s actions, pretending to be different school staff members.
Learning Point: Pupils physically demonstrate understanding of staff duties.
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.
- “Who is the head of our school?” (Show Principal’s picture).
- “Who keeps our school safe?” (Show Security Guard’s picture).
- “Point to the person who makes our school clean.” (Show Cleaner’s picture).
- “Name one other person who works in our school.”
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/Closure
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the lesson by reminding pupils that everyone in the school is important and helps them. The teacher encourages pupils to always greet and respect all school staff. “Let’s thank all the people who help us in school!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, repeat the importance of respecting staff, and say “Thank you!”
Learning Point: Pupils appreciate the contributions of all school staff and learn to show respect.
Lesson Keywords
- School – A place where children learn.
- People – All the men and women who work in the school.
- Principal – The leader of the school.
- Security – Keeping people safe.
- Cleaner – Someone who cleans.
- Nurse – Someone who helps sick people.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who are struggling, provide larger pictures, repeat names and roles more frequently, and use hand-over-hand guidance during role-play. Focus on identifying just two key staff members.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, ask them to name more people in the school, describe their duties in slightly more detail, or discuss why a particular staff member’s job is important (e.g., “Why is the Cleaner’s job important?”).
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