Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, ensure your MP3 player is ready with the “Rain, Rain, Go Away” song. The central idea is for pupils to learn the rhyme by heart and understand simply that rain is water falling from the sky, a natural part of our world. Encourage active participation through singing and simple actions. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can sing along and answer what rain gives us.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Songs and Rhymes
Previous Lesson: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Topic: Rain, Rain, Go Away
Subject Matter: Rain, Rain, Go Away
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Recite the “Rain, Rain, Go Away” rhyme.
- State that rain is water falling from the sky.
- Identify one benefit of rain.
Affective Domain
- Show enjoyment while singing the rhyme.
- Appreciate rain as a natural part of the environment.
Psychomotor Domain
- Perform simple actions related to the “Rain, Rain, Go Away” rhyme.
- Clap hands to the rhythm of the song.
Social Domain
- Participate cooperatively in group singing activities.
- Take turns answering questions about rain.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
- A suitable early-years rhyme book
Instructional Materials
- MP3 player with “Rain, Rain, Go Away” song
- Picture cards showing rain, clouds, plants, and children playing in the rain (safely)
- Small umbrella (optional, for demonstration)
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps 4-year-olds develop their language and listening skills through the repetitive and rhythmic nature of the “Rain, Rain, Go Away” rhyme. It also introduces them to a basic understanding of a common natural phenomenon, rain, connecting classroom learning to their everyday experiences and the world around them.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have heard and seen rain before. They can listen to and repeat short phrases and have participated in simple songs or rhymes.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Rain, Rain, Go Away
The Rhyme: Rain, Rain, Go Away
Tune: Traditional Nursery Rhyme
Lyrics:
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day.
Little [Child’s Name] wants to play,
Rain, rain, go away.
Actions:
- “Rain, rain, go away”: Wave hands downwards like falling rain, then push hands away.
- “Come again another day”: Beckon hands forward.
- “Little [Child’s Name] wants to play”: Point to self or a friend, then make playing motion.
- “Rain, rain, go away”: Repeat waving hands downwards and pushing away.
What is Rain?
Rain is water that falls from the clouds in the sky. It is a natural phenomenon, meaning it happens by itself in nature.
- Clouds get full of water.
- When clouds are too full, the water drops down as rain.
What does Rain give us?
Rain is very important!
- It helps plants and trees grow.
- It fills up rivers and lakes with water.
- It gives us water to drink and use.
Watch and Sing Along
Key Words
- Rain – water falling from the sky.
- Clouds – white or grey masses in the sky where water collects.
- Natural phenomenon – something that happens in nature by itself.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce the topic by asking pupils if they like rain or what they do when it rains. Use the picture cards to show clouds and rain. Explain simply that rain is water from the sky, a “natural phenomenon” means it’s part of nature, and it helps plants grow. Keep explanations short and use familiar examples.
What to show or demonstrate: Show pictures of rain, clouds, and plants benefiting from rain. If available, open and close a small umbrella to represent rain starting and stopping. Model the actions for the rhyme clearly.
How to use the rhyme/song: Play the “Rain, Rain, Go Away” song from the MP3 player multiple times. First, let pupils listen. Then, sing along slowly, line by line, encouraging pupils to repeat. Introduce the actions and practise them together. Replace “[Child’s Name]” with different pupils’ names to increase engagement.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to sing the rhyme with actions. Play the video once for pupils to watch. Play it again, encouraging them to sing along and do the actions they see. After watching, ask pupils what they saw in the video and what the children in the video were doing.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are repeating the rhyme accurately and performing the actions. Listen for their understanding when asked about what rain gives us. Correct pronunciation gently and encourage all pupils to participate.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Songs and Rhymes
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Picture Talk
- Question and Answer
- Repetition
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engaging/Activating prior knowledge
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets pupils and asks them about the weather. “Is it sunny today? Has it rained recently? What do you do when it rains?” The teacher then introduces the topic: “Today we will learn a fun rhyme about rain!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions about the weather and listen attentively.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready for the lesson.
Step 2: Presentation of the Rhyme
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Modelling/Listening
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the “Rain, Rain, Go Away” song from the MP3 player. The teacher sings along, modelling the words and simple actions. The teacher plays it twice for pupils to listen carefully.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the song and watch the teacher’s actions.
Learning Point: Pupils are exposed to the rhyme and its melody.
Step 3: Guided Practice of Rhyme with Actions
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Repetition/Action-based learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils to sing the rhyme line by line, encouraging them to repeat after her. The teacher introduces and demonstrates the simple actions for each line, guiding pupils to imitate. The teacher replaces “[Child’s Name]” with different pupils’ names.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat the rhyme lines and perform the actions with the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to memorise the rhyme and associate actions with words.
Step 4: Explanation of Rain
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explaining/Visual aids
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of clouds and rain. The teacher explains simply, “Rain is water that falls from the clouds in the sky. It is a natural phenomenon, meaning it happens by itself in nature.” The teacher asks, “Where does rain come from?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures and listen to the explanation. They respond to the teacher’s question.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that rain comes from clouds and is a natural occurrence.
Step 5: Discussion on Uses of Rain
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Connecting to real life
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks, “What does rain give us? Why is rain important?” The teacher guides pupils to understand that rain helps plants grow, fills rivers, and gives us water to drink. The teacher shows pictures of healthy plants.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils offer ideas and listen to the benefits of rain, looking at the pictures.
Learning Point: Pupils recognise the importance and benefits of rain.
Step 6: Full Rhyme Practice with Video
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Engagement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the “Rain, Rain, Go Away” video and encourages all pupils to sing along loudly with the video, performing the actions. The teacher participates actively with the pupils.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the entire rhyme with actions, following the video and the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils confidently sing the complete rhyme with actions.
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.
- “Let’s sing ‘Rain, Rain, Go Away’ together one more time!”
- “What is rain?” (Guide them to say “water from the sky/clouds”).
- “Rain gives us what?” (As per seed: Guide them to say “water” or “helps plants grow”).
- “Can you show me the action for ‘Rain, rain, go away’?”
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: Summarising/Praise
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and good singing. The teacher reminds them that rain is important for our world. “Well done, everyone! You all sang beautifully and learned about rain!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the praise and prepare for the next activity.
Learning Point: Pupils feel a sense of accomplishment.
Lesson Keywords
- Rain – water falling from the sky.
- Clouds – white or grey masses in the sky.
- Natural phenomenon – something that happens in nature.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, the teacher can provide more one-on-one repetition of the rhyme, use hand-over-hand guidance for actions, and point directly to pictures when explaining rain. They can be encouraged to just hum along or perform one simple action.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the rhyme and concept, the teacher can ask them to name other things that need rain, or discuss other types of weather they know (e.g., sunshine, wind). They could also be encouraged to lead a line of the rhyme.
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