Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, ensure you have a clear space for pupils to move and practise actions. Prepare picture cards of familiar characters or objects that can be “behind the door” for role-play. The central idea is for pupils to learn the rhyme, repeat it with enthusiasm, and participate in simple role-play, showing their understanding through actions and repetition.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 5
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Songs and Rhymes
Previous Lesson: Pupils have previously learned and recited other simple rhymes and songs.
Topic: RAT-TA-TAT-TAT
Subject Matter: Learning and reciting the “RAT-TA-TAT-TAT” rhyme with actions.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify the sound “rat-a-tat-tat” as knocking.
- Recall the words of the “RAT-TA-TAT-TAT” rhyme.
Affective Domain
- Show enjoyment while singing and performing the rhyme.
- Listen attentively to the teacher and peers during the rhyme.
Psychomotor Domain
- Perform the actions associated with the “RAT-TA-TAT-TAT” rhyme.
- Participate in a simple role-play based on the rhyme.
Social Domain
- Take turns during role-play activities.
- Interact positively with peers during group recitation.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education curriculum resources
Instructional Materials
- MP4 Player
- MP3 Player
- Rhyme book (or printed lyrics)
- Picture cards of familiar characters (e.g., postman, friend, mum, dad, animal)
- An imaginary door (can be a classroom wall or designated space)
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps 4-year-olds develop their listening and speaking skills through the engaging medium of songs and rhymes. Learning “RAT-TA-TAT-TAT” encourages auditory memory, vocabulary acquisition, and coordination through actions, making learning fun and interactive. It also introduces simple social interaction concepts like greeting and identifying visitors.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can listen to and repeat short phrases. They are familiar with simple actions like clapping and pointing.Lesson Content/Board Summary
RAT-TA-TAT-TAT
The “RAT-TA-TAT-TAT” rhyme is a fun way to learn about knocking on a door and guessing who might be there. It helps us practise listening, speaking, and doing actions.The “RAT-TA-TAT-TAT” Rhyme
Tune: Original classroom chant
Lyrics:
Rat-a-tat-tat, rat-a-tat-tat! (Knock, knock, knock, knock)
Who is knocking at the door? (Cup hand to ear)
Rat-a-tat-tat, rat-a-tat-tat! (Knock, knock, knock, knock)
Let’s open and see who’s there! (Pretend to open a door)
(Teacher shows a picture card, e.g., a postman)
It’s the postman, with a letter for me! (Point to the picture, then to self)
Hello, postman, thank you, you see! (Wave and smile)
Rat-a-tat-tat, rat-a-tat-tat! (Knock, knock, knock, knock)
Who is knocking at the door? (Cup hand to ear)
Rat-a-tat-tat, rat-a-tat-tat! (Knock, knock, knock, knock)
Let’s open and see who’s there! (Pretend to open a door)
(Teacher shows another picture card, e.g., a friend)
It’s my friend, coming to play! (Point to the picture, then make a playing gesture)
Hello, friend, let’s play all day! (Wave and clap hands)
Actions:
- “Rat-a-tat-tat”: Make knocking motions with a fist on an imaginary door.
- “Who is knocking at the door?”: Cup hand to ear as if listening.
- “Let’s open and see who’s there!”: Make a motion of pulling open a door.
- “It’s the postman/my friend”: Point to the picture card.
- “With a letter for me”: Pretend to hold a letter.
- “Coming to play”: Make a playful gesture.
- “Hello…”: Wave.
- “Thank you/let’s play all day”: Smile, clap hands.
Key Words
- Rat-a-tat-tat – The sound of knocking on a door.
- Knocking – Tapping on a door or surface to get attention.
- Postman – A person who delivers letters and parcels.
- Friend – A person you know and like.
Watch and Practise
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce the sound “rat-a-tat-tat” by knocking on a table or door. Explain that it’s a way to ask “Who’s there?”. Recite the rhyme slowly, line by line, encouraging pupils to repeat after you. Emphasize the rhythm and the sound.
What to show or demonstrate: Demonstrate the knocking action clearly. Use the picture cards to show who might be at the door (postman, friend, a family member, or even a friendly animal). Show how to cup a hand to the ear to listen and how to pretend to open a door. Model the actions for each part of the rhyme.
How to use the rhyme/song: Recite the rhyme several times, first slowly, then at a normal pace. Encourage pupils to join in with the words and actions. Use the MP3 player to play the rhyme if you have an audio version, or simply lead the singing yourself. Gradually introduce different characters behind the “door” using the picture cards to extend the role-play.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as another way to see and hear a “knocking” song. Play the video, asking pupils to watch the actions. After watching, encourage them to imitate the actions and sing along with the parts they remember. Discuss who was knocking in the video and what they did.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are making the knocking sound correctly, performing the actions, and repeating the words of the rhyme. Encourage all pupils to participate, gently prompting those who are shy. Ensure they understand the concept of “who’s there?” and “opening the door”.
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: Engagement/Motivation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher starts by knocking gently on a table or the classroom door, making the “rat-a-tat-tat” sound. “Good morning, children! What sound did you hear? Rat-a-tat-tat! Who do you think is knocking?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the knocking sound and try to guess who might be knocking. They may say “mummy,” “daddy,” or “teacher.”
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the sound of knocking and its meaning.
Step 2: Presenting the Rhyme
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Recitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the entire “RAT-TA-TAT-TAT” rhyme once, performing all the actions clearly. “Listen carefully to our new rhyme about knocking!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the teacher’s recitation and observe the actions.
Learning Point: Pupils hear the full rhyme and see its associated actions.
Step 3: Guided Repetition of Rhyme (Part 1)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Repetition/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the first part of the rhyme (“Rat-a-tat-tat… Let’s open and see who’s there!”) line by line, encouraging pupils to repeat each line and perform the actions after her. “Now, let’s say it together!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat each line of the rhyme and imitate the teacher’s actions (knocking, listening, opening the door).
Learning Point: Pupils begin to learn the words and actions of the rhyme through guided repetition.
Step 4: Introducing Characters and Role-play
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Picture Talk/Role-play
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the first character (e.g., postman) using a picture card after the “Let’s open and see who’s there!” line. She then leads pupils in saying “It’s the postman…” and performing the greeting actions. “Look! It’s the postman! Let’s say hello!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the character from the picture card, repeat the lines, and perform the greeting actions.
Learning Point: Pupils connect the knocking sound to a visitor and practise simple greetings.
Step 5: Guided Repetition of Rhyme (Full)
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Choral Speaking/Action Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in reciting the full rhyme, including the character part, several times. She encourages energetic participation and clear actions. The teacher can use the MP3 player here if an audio version is available. “Let’s sing our whole ‘Rat-a-tat-tat’ rhyme with all the actions!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils recite the entire rhyme with actions, showing increasing confidence and enthusiasm.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning of the rhyme and actions.
Step 6: Video Reinforcement
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Media Integration/Observation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the verified YouTube video of a similar knocking song. “Let’s watch a video about knocking and see who comes to the door!” After the video, she asks pupils what they saw and heard. “Did you see who was knocking? What did they say?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and try to identify the characters or actions shown. They respond to the teacher’s questions.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding through visual and auditory stimulation from the video.
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 sound do we make when we knock on a door?” (Teacher makes the knocking sound.)
- “Can you show me the actions for ‘Rat-a-tat-tat’?”
- “Let’s recite the rhyme together one more time.”
- “Who might be at the door when we hear ‘Rat-a-tat-tat’?” (Show a picture card.)
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: Summarization/Closure
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their participation and reminds them that knocking is a polite way to get attention. “You all did so well learning our ‘Rat-a-tat-tat’ rhyme! Remember, it’s nice to knock politely.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s praise and participate in a final group cheer or clap.
Learning Point: Pupils feel a sense of accomplishment and recall the main idea of the lesson.
Lesson Keywords
- Rat-a-tat-tat – The sound of knocking.
- Knock – To tap on a door or surface.
- Door – An opening to a room or building.
- Postman – Someone who brings letters.
- Friend – Someone you like to play with.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who are struggling, use hand-over-hand guidance for actions. Provide more one-on-one repetition of short phrases. Use larger, clearer picture cards for identification.
- Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to suggest other characters who might be at the door (e.g., “It’s my grandma!”, “It’s a cat!”). They can also lead a small group in reciting the rhyme or demonstrate the actions independently.
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