Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, prepare simple props like a blanket or a large cloth to simulate a “moonlight” setting, and gather picture cards depicting cultural scenes or characters from common folktales. The central idea for pupils is to actively listen to and participate in sharing simple cultural stories and poems, fostering an appreciation for their heritage. Ensure a comfortable, safe space for pupils to sit and move during the storytelling and “Ewi” (poetry) sharing. Successful learning will be observed as pupils enthusiastically listen, repeat short phrases, and attempt to share their own simple stories or actions.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 9
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Civic Education
Curriculum Theme: Civic Education
Previous Lesson: Pupils have some general awareness of their community and simple social habits.
Topic: CULTURAL ACTIVITIES PRACTICAL
Subject Matter: Practising cultural activities through folktales, tales by moonlight and Ewi.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify folktales and Ewi as cultural activities.
- Recall simple details from a short folktale.
- Recognise the importance of listening to stories.
Affective Domain
- Show interest and enjoyment in listening to folktales and Ewi.
- Appreciate cultural storytelling and poetry.
- Develop a sense of pride in their cultural heritage.
Psychomotor Domain
- Participate in simple actions or sounds related to a story.
- Attempt to recite a short Ewi or a part of a story.
- Move safely within the storytelling area.
Social Domain
- Take turns listening and speaking during storytelling.
- Participate respectfully in group cultural activities.
- Share simple ideas with peers during the “competition.”
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Playground (for outdoor activities if applicable)
- Picture cards of animals, people, and cultural scenes
- Storybooks with simple folktales
- A large cloth or blanket to simulate “moonlight”
- Chart showing pictures of people telling stories
- Audio recording of a short Ewi (optional)
- Video display for cultural stories
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson introduces 4-year-olds to the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria through engaging activities like folktales, “Tales by Moonlight,” and “Ewi.” It helps children connect with their roots, develop listening skills, and express themselves creatively, fostering a strong sense of identity and community from an early age.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils are familiar with listening to simple stories and songs at home and in school. They can recognise some familiar animals and objects.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES PRACTICAL
Cultural activities are special things we do that show who we are and where we come from. They are fun ways to learn about our traditions and share them with others.
Folktales
Folktales are old stories passed down from our grandparents and great-grandparents. They often teach us good lessons and have animal characters like Tortoise, Rabbit, or Lion. We learn about being kind, wise, or brave from these stories.
Tales by Moonlight
This is a special way of telling folktales, usually at night under the moon. Families gather together, and elders tell stories to the children. It’s a time for sharing, listening, and learning in a calm, lovely setting.
Ewi (Short Local Poetry)
Ewi are short, traditional poems or chants, often in local languages. They can be about people, places, or things, and sometimes they are sung. Ewi helps us learn about our language and culture in a rhythmic way.
Our Culture Story Song
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Stories, stories, old and new,
Tales of wisdom, strong and true.
Under moonlight, we all meet,
Sharing words, so soft and sweet.
Ewi chants, we love to say,
Culture shining every day!
Actions: Clap hands for “stories,” make a moon shape with hands for “moonlight,” point to self for “we,” sway gently for “sweet,” tap chest for “culture.”
Watch and Practise
Key Words
- Culture – special ways of life, stories, and traditions of a group of people.
- Folktales – old stories that teach lessons.
- Ewi – short, traditional poems or chants.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce cultural activities as fun things we do from our past. Explain folktales using simple language and a very short, familiar example (e.g., why the tortoise has a cracked shell). Describe “Tales by Moonlight” by creating a cozy, dim setting with a blanket or cloth. Introduce Ewi by reciting a very short, simple, rhythmic chant, perhaps about an animal or a local food, and encourage pupils to repeat. Keep explanations brief and concrete.
What to show or demonstrate: Use picture cards of story characters (animals, people) and cultural scenes. Demonstrate actions for the rhyme. Show how to sit quietly for storytelling and how to clap or sway for Ewi.
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing “Our Culture Story Song” multiple times, encouraging pupils to join in with the actions. Use it as a transition or a way to reinforce the lesson’s theme.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a special story from our culture. Play the verified YouTube video “The Tortoise and the Pot of Wisdom” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kF6jPjY2fQ). After watching, ask pupils simple questions about the characters or what the tortoise learned. Encourage them to retell parts of the story in their own words or act out a scene.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are engaged, listening attentively, and attempting to participate in the actions or repetitions. Watch for any pupils who might be shy and encourage them gently.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Storytelling
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Question and Answer
- Role-play
- Imitation
- Video Observation
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Motivation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and asks them if they like listening to stories. The teacher introduces the idea of special stories and poems from our culture.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and questions, showing excitement for stories.
Learning Point: Pupils are motivated and introduced to the concept of cultural stories.
Step 2: Exploring Folktales
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Storytelling/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what a folktale is using simple language and tells a very short, familiar Nigerian folktale (e.g., about Tortoise and his tricks) using picture cards. The teacher asks simple questions about the story.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the folktale, observe the picture cards, and answer simple questions about the characters or events.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what a folktale is and listen to a cultural story.
Step 3: Understanding Tales by Moonlight
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Contextualisation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains “Tales by Moonlight” as a special way of telling stories at night. The teacher creates a “moonlight” setting using a blanket or dimming the lights, and pretends to tell another short, simple story in this setting.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the “moonlight” setting, listen to the story, and imagine being under the moonlight.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of “Tales by Moonlight” as a cultural storytelling tradition.
Step 4: Introducing Ewi (Local Poetry)
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Recitation/Imitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces “Ewi” as short, traditional poems. The teacher recites a very short, simple Ewi (e.g., a chant about a market, a child, or a local food) and encourages pupils to repeat after them, focusing on rhythm.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the Ewi and attempt to repeat the short phrases or sounds after the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to Ewi as a form of cultural poetry and practise simple recitation.
Step 5: Practising Our Culture Story Song and Video
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Visual Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing “Our Culture Story Song” with actions. The teacher then introduces and plays the video “The Tortoise and the Pot of Wisdom,” asking pupils to watch and listen carefully.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the song with actions and watch the video attentively, engaging with the story.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce learning through song and visual media, deepening their understanding of folktales.
Step 6: Cultural Activity Sharing (Healthy Competition)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Encouragement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher organises a simple “cultural sharing” activity. Pupils are encouraged to share a part of a story they remember, act out a character, or repeat a short Ewi. The teacher praises all efforts, fostering a sense of healthy competition and participation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils voluntarily share a short story part, act out a character, or recite a simple Ewi, taking turns and listening to their peers.
Learning Point: Pupils practise cultural activities and build confidence in sharing.
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.
- What is a folktale? (Show a picture of a tortoise).
- What did we do when we pretended to tell stories under the “moonlight”?
- Can you say a short part of the Ewi we learned?
- What did you enjoy most about our cultural activities today?
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: Summarisation/Closure
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their active participation and encourages them to ask their parents and grandparents to tell them more folktales and Ewi at home. The teacher reminds them that cultural activities are fun and important.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and respond with enthusiasm, promising to ask for more stories at home.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the value of continuing to engage with cultural activities.
Lesson Keywords
- Culture – our special ways of life and traditions.
- Folktales – old stories that teach us lessons.
- Tales by Moonlight – telling stories at night, often outside.
- Ewi – short, traditional poems or chants.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who are shy or struggling, the teacher can provide more prompts, use larger picture cards, allow them to participate by making animal sounds, or repeat short, simple phrases after the teacher. Peer support can be encouraged by pairing them with more confident pupils.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concepts quickly, the teacher can ask them to recall more details from the stories, invent a simple action for a character, or try to create a very short, two-line “Ewi” about something familiar like their favourite food or toy.
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