Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare picture cards of different modes of transportation, especially a ship, car, bus, train, and plane. Ensure you are familiar with the lyrics and actions of “Oh the Big Ship Sails” (traditional version). The central idea is for pupils to learn and recite the rhyme while understanding that different vehicles help us move. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can sing the rhyme with actions and identify various forms of transportation.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 5
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Songs and Rhymes
Previous Lesson: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Topic: OH THE BIG SHIP SAILS
Subject Matter: OH THE BIG SHIP SAILS.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Recite the rhyme “Oh the Big Ship Sails” with some accuracy.
- Identify different modes of transportation mentioned in the rhyme (ship, car, bus, train, plane) from pictures.
- State simple actions associated with each mode of transportation.
Affective Domain
- Show enthusiasm while singing and performing actions for the rhyme.
- Listen attentively to the teacher and their peers.
Psychomotor Domain
- Perform simple actions corresponding to the rhyme’s lyrics.
- Participate in role-playing movements of different vehicles.
Social Domain
- Take turns when speaking or demonstrating.
- Participate cooperatively in group singing and movement activities.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3.
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources.
Instructional Materials
- Picture cards of a ship, car, bus, train, and plane.
- Chart with the lyrics of “Oh the Big Ship Sails”.
- Audio recording or video of the rhyme (optional).
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps 4-year-olds develop language and memory skills through the repetition and rhythm of a song. It also introduces them to common modes of transportation, connecting their learning to the world around them and fostering an understanding of how people travel.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can already sing simple songs and identify some common objects in their environment. They may have seen or ridden in different types of vehicles.Lesson Content/Board Summary
OH THE BIG SHIP SAILS
The rhyme “Oh the Big Ship Sails” helps us learn about different ways people travel. It talks about a ship that sails on the water, and other vehicles like cars, buses, trains, and planes that move on land or in the air.The Big Ship Sails Rhyme
Tune: Traditional Children’s Song
Lyrics:
Oh, the big ship sails on the alley-alley-o,
The alley-alley-o, the alley-alley-o.
Oh, the big ship sails on the alley-alley-o,
On the fifth of November.
Oh, the captain said, “It will never, never do,”
Never, never do, never, never do.
Oh, the captain said, “It will never, never do,”
On the fifth of November.
Oh, the little boat goes up and down,
Up and down, up and down.
Oh, the little boat goes up and down,
On the fifth of November.
Oh, the big ship sails on the alley-alley-o,
The alley-alley-o, the alley-alley-o.
Oh, the big ship sails on the alley-alley-o,
On the fifth of November.
Actions:
- “Oh, the big ship sails…”: Sway arms like waves, moving hands forward.
- “The alley-alley-o…”: Continue swaying.
- “Oh, the captain said…”: Put hand to forehead like a salute or looking far away.
- “It will never, never do…”: Shake head side to side.
- “Oh, the little boat goes up and down…”: Move hands up and down.
Understanding Transportation
- Ship: Travels on water. (Show picture of a ship)
- Car: Travels on land (roads). (Show picture of a car)
- Bus: Travels on land (roads), carries many people. (Show picture of a bus)
- Train: Travels on land (tracks). (Show picture of a train)
- Plane: Travels in the air. (Show picture of a plane)
Key Words
- Ship – A very large boat that travels on water.
- Sails – Moves on water using wind or an engine.
- Car – A vehicle with wheels that travels on roads.
- Bus – A large vehicle that carries many passengers on roads.
- Train – A vehicle that runs on railway tracks.
- Plane – A flying vehicle with wings.
Watch and Sing Along
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce the rhyme by asking pupils if they know how people travel. Read the rhyme aloud clearly, line by line, several times. Use the picture cards to introduce each mode of transportation as it is mentioned or discussed. Emphasise the movement associated with each vehicle.
What to show or demonstrate: Display the chart with the rhyme lyrics. Show picture cards of a ship, car, bus, train, and plane. Demonstrate the actions for each line of the rhyme clearly and slowly, then repeat at a normal pace.
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing the rhyme slowly at first, encouraging pupils to join in. Repeat the rhyme several times, gradually increasing speed. Encourage pupils to perform the actions with you. Focus on clear pronunciation and rhythm.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see and hear the rhyme. Play the video once for pupils to watch and listen. Play it again, encouraging them to sing along and do the actions. After watching, ask pupils to name the different vehicles they saw.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are attempting to sing along and perform the actions. Check if they can point to or name the different transportation pictures when asked. Encourage shy pupils to participate by providing gentle prompts and praise.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Songs and Rhymes
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Picture Talk
- Repetition
- Role-play
- Question and Answer
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them how they came to school today (e.g., by car, bus, walking). The teacher then introduces the idea of different ways to travel.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively.
Learning Point: Pupils recall and share their experiences of travelling.
Step 2: Presentation of the Rhyme
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Modelling/Oral Delivery
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the rhyme “Oh the Big Ship Sails” and explains that it talks about different ways to travel. The teacher recites the entire rhyme clearly, pointing to the words on the chart.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher recite the rhyme and watch the chart.
Learning Point: Pupils become familiar with the sound and words of the rhyme.
Step 3: Demonstration of Actions and First Sing-Along
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guided Imitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the actions for each line of the rhyme. The teacher then sings the rhyme slowly, performing the actions, and encourages pupils to join in with the actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s actions and try to imitate them while listening to the song.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to associate actions with the words of the rhyme.
Step 4: Repeated Practice of Rhyme with Actions
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Repetition/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the rhyme several more times, encouraging full participation in both singing and actions. The teacher provides gentle correction for actions or words.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme together with the teacher, performing the actions enthusiastically.
Learning Point: Pupils gain confidence and fluency in reciting the rhyme and performing its actions.
Step 5: Discussion of Transportation Types
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Picture Talk/Concept Building
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses picture cards to show and name the different modes of transportation mentioned in the rhyme (ship, car, bus, train, plane). The teacher asks pupils where each vehicle travels (water, land, air).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and name the vehicles from the pictures and respond to questions about where they travel.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about different types of transportation and their environments.
Step 6: Movement and Role-Play
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Practical Activity/Role-play
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to pretend to be a ship sailing, a car driving, a bus moving, a train chugging, or a plane flying. The teacher guides their movements.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils engage in imaginative movement, mimicking the actions of different vehicles.
Learning Point: Pupils physically connect with the concept of transportation and movement.
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.
- “Can you sing ‘Oh the Big Ship Sails’ with me one more time?”
- “Show me the action for the big ship sailing.”
- “Which picture shows a vehicle that flies in the air?” (Teacher holds up pictures).
- “What kind of vehicle travels on water?”
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/Praise
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them that there are many ways to travel. The teacher leads a final, quick sing-through of the rhyme.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s praise and participate in the final song.
Learning Point: Pupils feel a sense of accomplishment and reinforce their learning.
Lesson Keywords
- Ship – A large boat that travels on water.
- Sail – To move on water.
- Car – A vehicle that moves on land.
- Plane – A vehicle that flies in the air.
- Travel – To go from one place to another.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who find it difficult to remember the lyrics, provide more one-on-one repetition. Use larger, clearer picture cards for identification. Focus only on the main actions for the ship.
- Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to name other vehicles they know that are not in the rhyme. Ask them to describe one vehicle in their own words.
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