Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare clear, large pictures or charts of a church, a mosque, and a traditional shrine. The central idea for pupils is to recognise and name these three distinct places of worship. Ensure the pictures are age-appropriate and respectful. Observe pupils’ ability to point to and name each place when prompted, showing they understand the visual and verbal association.
Class: Pre-School Level 2
Term: Second Term
Week: 3
Age: 3 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Social Habits
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Three Major Religions in Nigeria and Their Modes of Worship for Pre-School Level 2
Topic: PLACES OF WORSHIP: CHURCH, MOSQUE AND SHRINE
Subject Matter: Place of Worship: Church, Mosque, Shrine. Weekly focus: Places of Worship: Church, Mosque and Shrine.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify and name a church, a mosque, and a shrine from pictures.
- State one activity done in each place of worship.
Affective Domain
- Show respect for different places of worship.
- Listen attentively when others talk about their places of worship.
Psychomotor Domain
- Point to the correct picture when a place of worship is named.
- Participate in singing a song about places of worship.
Social Domain
- Share simple observations about places of worship in their community.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 2
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
- Relevant picture books on community places
Instructional Materials
- Large pictures/charts of a church, a mosque, and a traditional shrine
- Flashcards with names of the places of worship
- Video clip on different places of worship
- Posters showing people worshipping in different places
Rationale for the Lesson
Learning about places of worship helps 3-year-olds understand the diversity in their community and the world around them. It introduces them to different cultures and promotes respect for various beliefs, fostering social awareness and tolerance from an early age. This lesson connects to their daily experiences by helping them recognise important buildings in their environment.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify different buildings in their community, such as houses and schools. They also understand that people do different activities in different places.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Places of Worship: Church, Mosque and Shrine
Places of worship are special buildings or spots where people go to pray, worship God, or connect with their beliefs.
1. Church
- A church is a place where Christians go to worship God.
- People pray, sing songs, and learn about God in church.
- Churches often have a cross and a bell.
2. Mosque
- A mosque is a place where Muslims go to worship Allah.
- People pray and learn about Allah in the mosque.
- Mosques often have a dome and tall towers called minarets.
3. Shrine
- A shrine is a special place for traditional worshippers to pray and make offerings.
- Shrines can be natural places like a sacred tree or rock, or a small structure with special objects.
- People go there to connect with their ancestors or traditional deities.
Key Words
- Church – A place where Christians worship.
- Mosque – A place where Muslims worship.
- Shrine – A special place for traditional worshippers.
- Pray – To talk to God or a deity.
Places to Pray Rhyme
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
Places where we go to pray,
Every single special day.
Church for Christians, tall and grand,
Mosque for Muslims, across the land.
Shrine for others, old and true,
Different places, me and you.
Actions: Point up for “tall and grand”, sweep hand across for “across the land”, make praying hands for “go to pray”, point to self and friends for “me and you”.
Watch and Learn About Places of Worship
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce the concept of places of worship by asking pupils where people go to pray. Show the pictures one by one, naming each place clearly (Church, Mosque, Shrine). For each picture, ask simple questions like “Who goes here?” and “What do they do?”. Emphasise that these are all special places for different people.
What to show or demonstrate: Display the large pictures of the church, mosque, and shrine clearly. Point to key features in each picture as you describe them. Use the flashcards to show the written names along with the pictures.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Places to Pray Rhyme” after describing all three places. Sing it slowly first, demonstrating the actions. Repeat the rhyme 2-3 times, encouraging pupils to join in with the words and actions. This helps reinforce the names and the idea of different places.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a way to see more places of worship. Play the video, pausing if necessary to point out the church, mosque, and shrine when they appear. After the video, ask pupils what new things they saw or what they remember about the places we discussed.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils can correctly identify and name each place when you point to a picture or say its name. Listen for their ability to repeat the key words and participate in the rhyme.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Picture Talk
- Demonstration
- Question and Answer
- Songs and Rhymes
- Guided Practice
- Video Presentation
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads them in a short welcome song. The teacher then asks pupils to name different buildings they see on their way to school (e.g., houses, shops, schools).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing along, and name familiar buildings.
Learning Point: Pupils recall different types of buildings in their community.
Step 2: Presentation of Church
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Identification/Naming
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a large picture of a church. The teacher names it “Church” clearly and asks, “Who goes to church?” and “What do people do there?” The teacher explains that Christians go to church to pray and sing.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the picture, listen to the name, and respond to questions. They repeat “Church” after the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and name a church and know who goes there.
Step 3: Presentation of Mosque
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Identification/Naming
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a large picture of a mosque. The teacher names it “Mosque” clearly and asks, “Who goes to the mosque?” and “What do people do there?” The teacher explains that Muslims go to the mosque to pray.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the picture, listen to the name, and respond to questions. They repeat “Mosque” after the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and name a mosque and know who goes there.
Step 4: Presentation of Shrine
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Identification/Naming
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a large picture of a traditional shrine. The teacher names it “Shrine” clearly and asks, “Who goes to a shrine?” and “What do people do there?” The teacher explains that traditional worshippers go to shrines to pray and make offerings.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the picture, listen to the name, and respond to questions. They repeat “Shrine” after the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and name a shrine and know who goes there.
Step 5: Reinforcement through Rhyme and Video
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Auditory/Visual Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing the “Places to Pray Rhyme” with actions. The teacher then plays the short video on different places of worship, pointing out the church, mosque, and shrine as they appear.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the video attentively.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their recognition of places of worship through song and video.
Step 6: Guided Practice and Application
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Matching/Pointing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher mixes the pictures of the church, mosque, and shrine. The teacher calls out a name (e.g., “Show me the church!”) and asks pupils to point to the correct picture. The teacher also shows a picture and asks, “What is this place called?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils point to the correct pictures and name the places of worship when prompted.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate ability to identify and name the places of worship.
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.
- “Point to the church.”
- “What is this place called?” (Teacher shows a picture of a mosque).
- “Where do Christians go to pray?”
- “Can you tell me one thing people do in a shrine?”
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: Summary/Closure
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the lesson by reminding pupils that different people go to different places to worship, and it is important to respect everyone’s beliefs. The teacher leads a goodbye song.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and sing the goodbye song.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the importance of respecting different places of worship.
Lesson Keywords
- Church – A building where Christians go to pray.
- Mosque – A building where Muslims go to pray.
- Shrine – A special place where traditional worshippers pray.
- Pray – To talk to God or a spiritual being.
- Worship – To show respect and love for God or a deity.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who need extra help, use larger, very distinct pictures. Focus on identifying just two places first (e.g., church and mosque) before introducing the third. Provide hand-over-hand guidance for pointing. Repeat names and actions more frequently.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, ask them if they have seen any of these places in their neighbourhood. Encourage them to draw a simple picture of their favourite place of worship or one they know.
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