Plasticine Moulding, Identifying and Making Objects for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Third Term
Week: 1
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Creativity
Curriculum Theme: Creativity
Previous Lesson: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Topic: Plasticine Moulding: Identifying and Making Objects
Subject Matter: Plasticine Moulding: Identifying and Making Objects

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify plasticine by sight and touch.
• Name simple objects that can be made with plasticine.
• Describe basic actions for moulding plasticine (e.g., rolling, pinching).

Affective Domain

• Show enthusiasm for creative activities.
• Appreciate the fun of making things with plasticine.

Psychomotor Domain

• Mould simple objects like a ball or a snake using plasticine.
• Manipulate plasticine with their hands and fingers.

Social Domain

• Share plasticine and tools with classmates.
• Take turns when using shared materials.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
• Early Childhood Care and Education resources
• Relevant early-years creativity workbook

Instructional Materials

• Different colours of plasticine
• A flat, clean surface for moulding (e.g., table, individual mats)
• Pictures or real examples of simple objects (e.g., ball, snake, cup, fruit)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for 5-year-olds as it develops their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creativity. Working with plasticine allows children to express their imagination, learn about shapes and forms, and build confidence in their ability to create tangible objects, which are crucial developmental steps at this age.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have previously engaged in play-based activities, handled various soft materials like playdough, and are familiar with identifying common objects around them.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Plasticine Moulding: Identifying and Making Objects

Plasticine is a soft, colourful material that we can use to make many different shapes and objects. It is fun to squish, roll, and mould with our hands.

How to use Plasticine:

• Roll: You can roll plasticine between your palms or on a flat surface to make a ball or a long snake.
• Pinch: You can pinch small pieces off or pinch parts of a shape to make details.
• Flatten: You can press it down with your hand to make a flat shape like a pancake or a plate.
• Twist: You can twist two pieces together to make patterns.

Today, we will learn to identify plasticine and then use our hands to mould different objects like balls, snakes, and perhaps even a cup or a fruit!

Key Words

• Plasticine – A soft, colourful material used for making shapes and objects.
• Mould – To shape something with your hands.
• Roll – To move something over and over to make it round or long.
• Pinch – To squeeze something between your fingers.
• Flatten – To press something down to make it flat.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

The teacher should display different colours of plasticine. The teacher will demonstrate how to roll plasticine into a ball, then into a snake, and then flatten a piece into a disc.

Plasticine Fun Rhyme

Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Lyrics:
Plasticine, plasticine, soft and bright,
Moulding shapes with all my might!
Roll it, roll it, round and round,
A little ball is what I’ve found!

Pinch it, pinch it, long and thin,
A wiggly snake can now begin!
Squash it, flatten, make it wide,
A little plate where snacks can hide!

Actions:
Line 1: Show hands, point to plasticine.
Line 2: Pretend to mould plasticine.
Line 3: Roll hands in a circle.
Line 4: Make a ball shape with hands.
Line 5: Pinch fingers together, stretch hands apart.
Line 6: Wiggle hands like a snake.
Line 7: Press hands together, flatten them.
Line 8: Make a flat plate shape with hands.

How to use the rhyme: The teacher leads pupils in singing the rhyme while performing the actions. This helps reinforce the vocabulary and actions associated with plasticine moulding.

Video Demonstration

Watch this short video to see how to make a simple snake with plasticine.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Manipulation of Objects, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Motivation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and asks them if they like playing with soft, colourful things. The teacher then brings out the plasticine and asks, “What do you think this is?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and questions, showing curiosity about the plasticine.

Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the lesson topic and material.

Step 2: Identifying Plasticine

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identification/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows different colours of plasticine, allowing pupils to touch and feel it. The teacher says, “This is plasticine! It is soft and colourful. We can mould it into many things.” The teacher asks, “What does it feel like?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils touch the plasticine, describe its texture (soft, squishy), and repeat the word “plasticine.”

Learning Point: Pupils identify plasticine by sight and touch.

Step 3: Demonstration of Basic Moulding

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to roll a piece of plasticine into a ball, then into a long snake, and then flatten it into a disc. The teacher explains each action clearly: “Watch how I roll it to make a ball,” “Now I’m rolling it long like a snake,” “I’m pressing it flat like a pancake.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration carefully.

Learning Point: Pupils learn basic plasticine moulding techniques.

Step 4: Guided Practice – Making Simple Shapes

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Support

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes small pieces of plasticine to each pupil. The teacher guides them step-by-step to make a ball by rolling it between their palms. Then, the teacher guides them to roll the ball into a snake. The teacher provides individual help as needed.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to roll plasticine into a ball and then a snake, following the teacher’s instructions and demonstration.

Learning Point: Pupils practise basic moulding skills with support.

Step 5: Reinforcement with Rhyme and More Objects

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Creativity

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Plasticine Fun Rhyme” with actions. After the rhyme, the teacher shows pictures of simple objects like a cup or a fruit and demonstrates how to make one by combining basic shapes (e.g., a cup from a flattened circle and a small handle).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the teacher’s demonstration of making a slightly more complex object.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce moulding actions and see how to combine shapes.

Step 6: Application – Creative Moulding

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Application/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher encourages pupils to try making any object they like using their plasticine. The teacher walks around, observes their creations, and offers praise and gentle suggestions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils independently mould different objects, showing their creativity.

Learning Point: Pupils apply their moulding skills to create objects of their choice.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

1. “What is this soft, colourful material called?” (Teacher shows plasticine).
2. “Show me the ball you made.”
3. “Show me the snake you made.”
4. “What other object did you make?” (Pupils show their creations).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill by showing their moulded objects.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson by identifying plasticine and showing their moulded objects.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarising/Closure

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their beautiful creations and effort. The teacher reminds them to always tidy up after playing with plasticine. “You all did a wonderful job moulding with plasticine today! Remember to put our plasticine away neatly.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils tidy up their plasticine and listen to the teacher’s concluding remarks.

Learning Point: Pupils conclude the lesson and learn the importance of tidiness.

Lesson Keywords

• Plasticine – A soft, colourful material used for making shapes and objects.
• Mould – To shape something with your hands.
• Roll – To move something over and over to make it round or long.
• Pinch – To squeeze something between your fingers.
• Flatten – To press something down to make it flat.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who find it difficult to mould, the teacher can provide larger pieces of plasticine, offer hand-over-hand guidance, or focus on just one simple shape (e.g., only a ball).
• Extension: For pupils who quickly master basic moulding, the teacher can challenge them to create more complex objects, combine different colours, or try to make a specific object from a picture.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have enough plasticine for each pupil or small groups, preferably in various colours. Prepare a clean, flat surface for each child to work on. The main idea children must understand is that plasticine is a versatile material that can be shaped in many ways using simple hand movements. Demonstrate each moulding action slowly and clearly, repeating as necessary. Encourage pupils to experiment and express their creativity. Observe pupils closely during the guided practice and application stages to provide individual support. Praise effort and creativity rather than just perfect results. Emphasize safe handling of materials and tidying up. Observable actions like pupils correctly identifying plasticine, demonstrating rolling or pinching, and showing a moulded object will indicate understanding.