Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, ensure you have an MP3 player ready with the “Pat-a-cake” song, along with pictures of a baker, a cake, and an oven. Prepare some playdough or simple craft materials for pupils to pretend to make cakes. The central idea is for pupils to learn the rhyme and its actions through repetition and active role-play. Observe pupils enthusiastically singing, performing the actions, and participating in the baking role-play to confirm successful learning.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Songs and Rhymes
Previous Lesson: Learning and reciting simple action rhymes
Topic: PAT – A – CAKE
Subject Matter: PAT – A – CAKE.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Recite the “Pat-a-cake” rhyme from memory.
- Identify key words and actions related to baking in the rhyme.
Affective Domain
- Show enjoyment while singing and performing the rhyme.
- Listen attentively to the teacher and the song.
Psychomotor Domain
- Perform the actions associated with the “Pat-a-cake” rhyme.
- Participate in a simple role-play activity related to baking.
Social Domain
- Take turns and cooperate with peers during group activities.
- Participate actively in the class role-play.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education curriculum resources
Instructional Materials
- MP3 player with “Pat-a-cake” song
- Rhyme book/chart with “Pat-a-cake” lyrics
- Picture cards of a baker, a cake, an oven
- Playdough or soft clay for pretending to make cakes
- Small apron and chef hat (optional, for role-play)
Rationale for the Lesson
Learning rhymes like “Pat-a-cake” is important for 4-year-olds as it enhances language development, memory skills, and phonological awareness. It also encourages creative expression through actions and role-play, connecting language to real-world activities like baking, which is a familiar concept for many children.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have previously listened to and participated in simple action songs and rhymes. They are familiar with common objects found in a kitchen, such as cakes.Lesson Content/Board Summary
PAT – A – CAKE
The “Pat-a-cake” rhyme is a traditional English nursery rhyme that introduces children to simple actions and words related to baking.
Rhyme Lyrics and Actions
Tune: Traditional Nursery Rhyme
Lyrics:
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man,
Bake me a cake as fast as you can;
Pat it and prick it and mark it with ‘B’,
And put it in the oven for Baby and me.
Actions:
- Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake: Clap hands together, then pat knees.
- baker’s man: Point to an imaginary baker or to self.
- Bake me a cake as fast as you can: Roll hands over each other quickly.
- Pat it: Pat hands together.
- and prick it: Poke index finger into palm of other hand.
- and mark it with ‘B’: Draw a ‘B’ in the air with a finger (or simply tap forehead).
- And put it in the oven: Mime opening an oven and placing something inside.
- for Baby and me: Point to a baby (doll/picture) and then to self.
Key Words
- Pat – to tap gently with the open hand.
- Baker – a person who bakes bread and cakes.
- Cake – a sweet food baked in an oven.
- Oven – a hot box used for baking food.
Watch and Practise
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce the concept of baking a cake. Show pictures of a baker and a cake. Recite the rhyme clearly and slowly first, then sing it using the MP3 player. Emphasize the actions for each line.
What to show or demonstrate: Display the picture cards of a baker, cake, and oven. Demonstrate each action for the rhyme clearly and repeatedly. Use playdough to show how to “pat” and “prick” a small cake.
How to use the rhyme/song: Recite the rhyme several times, line by line, having pupils repeat after you. Then sing the full rhyme with the MP3 player, encouraging pupils to join in. Repeat the song and actions at least 3-4 times for memorization.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see others sing and do the actions. Play the video once for pupils to watch, then play it again, encouraging them to sing along and perform the actions they have learned. Discuss what they saw in the video after watching.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are attempting the actions, repeating the words, and showing enthusiasm. Correct pronunciation gently and guide actions as needed. Encourage all pupils to participate in the role-play.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Role-play, Imitation, Question and Answer, Repetition, Picture Talk.Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engaging/Warm-up
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets pupils and starts with a simple warm-up song. The teacher then asks pupils if they like cakes and who makes cakes.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing along, and share their ideas about cakes and bakers.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the topic of cakes and baking.
Step 2: Introduction to the Rhyme
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Presentation/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the “Pat-a-cake” rhyme. The teacher recites the rhyme clearly and then plays the “Pat-a-cake” song from the MP3 player, showing pictures of a baker and a cake.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the rhyme and song, looking at the pictures.
Learning Point: Pupils are exposed to the “Pat-a-cake” rhyme and its theme.
Step 3: Explaining and Demonstrating Actions
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Instruction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates each action for the “Pat-a-cake” rhyme, explaining what each action means (e.g., “pat-a-cake” means clapping hands, “baker’s man” means pointing).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstration and try to imitate the actions.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the actions associated with the rhyme.
Step 4: Guided Repetition of Rhyme and Actions
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Repetition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in repeating the rhyme line by line, encouraging them to perform the actions. The teacher repeats the full rhyme with actions several times, providing support and correction.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat the rhyme lines and perform the actions along with the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to memorize the rhyme and coordinate words with actions.
Step 5: Group Singing and Role-Play
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Role-play
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher encourages pupils to sing the entire rhyme together with actions. The teacher then initiates a simple role-play, where some pupils pretend to be bakers using playdough to “pat” and “prick” cakes, while others pretend to be customers.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and actively participate in the baking role-play, taking on different roles.
Learning Point: Pupils apply their learning in a creative and interactive way, enhancing social skills.
Step 6: Video Reinforcement
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the “Pat-a-cake” video, encouraging pupils to watch and sing along with the actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and sing/perform actions along with the characters on screen.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding and enjoyment of the rhyme through visual and auditory aids.
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 made the cake in our rhyme?
- Can you show me the “pat-a-cake” action?
- Can you sing the first two lines of the rhyme?
- What did the baker mark the cake with?
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: Summarizing/Encouragement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their participation and good singing. The teacher reminds them that they can sing “Pat-a-cake” at home and sings the rhyme one last time with them.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to praise and sing the rhyme one last time with enthusiasm.
Learning Point: Pupils feel accomplished and are encouraged to continue practising the rhyme.
Lesson Keywords
- Pat – to tap gently.
- Baker – a person who bakes.
- Cake – a sweet, baked food.
- Oven – a hot place for baking.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who are struggling, the teacher can provide more one-on-one repetition, use hand-over-hand guidance for actions, and allow them to just listen and clap along. Focus on repeating key phrases rather than the whole rhyme.
- Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to lead the actions for a line or two, or to identify other items a baker might make. They can also be asked to suggest other actions for the rhyme or to draw a picture of a cake.
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