Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before this lesson, ensure you have a real pin (or a similar small, sharp object like a needle or small piece of broken glass) to show pupils, along with a broom and dustpan for demonstration. The core message for pupils is to understand that small, sharp objects can be dangerous and that they should always tell a trusted adult if they see one, rather than picking it up themselves. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can recite the rhyme and clearly state that they must inform an adult about sharp objects.

Class: Pre-School Level 3

Term: Third Term

Week: 3

Age: 4 years

Duration: 30 minutes

Subject: Songs and Rhymes

Curriculum Theme: Songs and Rhymes

Previous Lesson: Not separately stated in the scheme.

Topic: See a Pin and Pick It Up

Subject Matter: See a Pin and Pick It Up.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

Recite the rhyme “See a Pin and Pick It Up.”
Identify a pin as a small, sharp object.
State why pins and similar objects can be dangerous.

Affective Domain

Appreciate the importance of being careful around small, sharp objects.
Show a willingness to tell an adult if they see a dangerous object.

Psychomotor Domain

Perform simple actions related to the rhyme.
Demonstrate the correct way to inform an adult about a dangerous object.

Participate actively in group recitation and discussion about safety.

Reference Materials

NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3.
Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources.

Instructional Materials

A real pin (or a similar small, blunt object for demonstration, e.g., a paperclip, to avoid actual danger).
Picture cards showing a pin, broken glass, a nail, etc.
Picture cards showing children telling an adult about a dangerous object.
A broom and a dustpan.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it introduces a traditional rhyme while integrating crucial safety awareness. Learning about pins and other sharp objects helps children understand potential dangers in their environment and teaches them the vital habit of seeking adult help, thereby preventing injuries and promoting a safer play and learning space.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can identify common classroom objects and have been introduced to basic safety rules like not running indoors or not touching hot objects.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

See a Pin and Pick It Up

The rhyme “See a Pin and Pick It Up” teaches us to be careful and safe when we see small, sharp objects.

The Rhyme

Tune: Traditional Nursery Rhyme

Lyrics:

See a pin and pick it up,
All the day you’ll have good luck.
See a pin and let it lay,
Bad luck you’ll have all the day.

Actions:

“See a pin”: Point to the floor.
“Pick it up”: Pretend to pick something up carefully.
“All the day you’ll have good luck”: Smile and pat your chest.
“Let it lay”: Shake head “no” and point to the floor.
“Bad luck you’ll have all the day”: Frown and shake head.

Understanding the Rhyme for Safety

A “pin” is a very small, sharp object. Other small, sharp things can be broken glass, nails, or needles.

Why are they dangerous? They can prick or cut your skin and make you bleed.
What does “pick it up” mean for safety? It means to notice it and make sure it is removed safely. For children, this means telling a grown-up immediately.
What does “good luck” mean here? It means you stay safe and don’t get hurt because you were careful and told an adult.

Safety Rule

If you see a pin, broken glass, or any sharp object on the floor:

DO NOT TOUCH IT!
Tell an adult immediately (e.g., Mummy, Daddy, Teacher, Auntie).
The adult will pick it up safely using a broom and dustpan or other tools.

Key Words

Pin – A small, thin, sharp piece of metal used for fastening things.
Pick up – To lift something from the ground or a surface.
Safe – Not in danger; protected from harm.
Careful – Paying attention to avoid danger or mistakes.

💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary

How to teach the content: Begin by introducing the rhyme. Recite it clearly with actions. Explain that while the rhyme talks about “luck,” for our lesson, “good luck” means staying safe. Emphasize that pins and similar objects are dangerous for children to touch. Use simple language to explain why they are sharp and can cause injury. Focus on the safety rule: tell an adult, do not touch.

What to show or demonstrate: Show a real pin (or a safe substitute like a paperclip, explaining it’s like a pin but not sharp). Show picture cards of other sharp objects like broken glass or nails. Demonstrate how an adult would safely pick up a “pin” using a broom and dustpan, without touching it directly with hands. Role-play a child seeing a pin and immediately telling the teacher.

How to use the rhyme/song: Recite the rhyme several times, encouraging pupils to join in with the words and actions. Explain the actions clearly. After reciting, discuss the safety message of the rhyme, linking “picking it up” to adult action and “good luck” to being safe.

What to watch for: Observe if pupils understand the danger of sharp objects and if they can correctly identify the action to take (telling an adult). Correct any misconception that they should pick up sharp objects themselves.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Songs and Rhymes
Demonstration
Guided Practice
Picture Talk
Question and Answer
Role-play
Repetition

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and starts a brief discussion about things that can hurt us if we are not careful (e.g., fire, sharp knife). “Today, we will learn a rhyme about something small that can also be dangerous if we don’t know how to be safe.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher and share ideas of things that can hurt them.

Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the idea of safety and danger.

Step 2: Presentation of the Rhyme

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Recitation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the rhyme “See a Pin and Pick It Up” clearly, with appropriate actions. The teacher repeats the rhyme two to three times.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and watch the teacher’s actions.

Learning Point: Pupils become familiar with the rhyme and its rhythm.

Step 3: Explanation and Discussion of Safety

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a real pin (or a safe substitute like a paperclip, explaining its sharpness). The teacher asks, “What is this? Is it safe to touch? Why not?” The teacher explains that pins are sharp and can hurt. The teacher then explains that when the rhyme says “pick it up,” it means to make sure it’s removed safely, and for children, this means telling an adult.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pin, answer questions, and listen to the explanation about its danger and the safety rule.

Learning Point: Pupils understand that pins are dangerous and that telling an adult is the safe action.

Step 4: Guided Practice (Recitation with Meaning)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Repetition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in reciting the rhyme together, focusing on the words and actions. The teacher pauses to reinforce the safety message after each line, e.g., “See a pin and pick it up (tell an adult to pick it up safely!).” “All the day you’ll have good luck (because you stayed safe!).”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils recite the rhyme with the teacher, performing the actions and engaging with the safety explanation.

Learning Point: Pupils practice the rhyme while internalizing its safety message.

Step 5: Role-Play and Reinforcement

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Role-play/Practical Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher places a “pretend pin” (e.g., a small piece of paper) on the floor. The teacher asks, “What should you do if you see this?” The teacher then role-plays a child finding it and telling an adult, and the adult (teacher) safely sweeping it away with a broom and dustpan. Pupils are encouraged to imitate telling an adult.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the correct action (tell an adult) and practice role-playing telling the teacher about the “pin.”

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate the practical application of the safety rule.

Step 6: Generalizing Safety

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Generalization/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows picture cards of other sharp objects (e.g., broken glass, a nail). The teacher asks, “Are these safe to touch? What should you do if you see them?” The teacher reinforces the universal rule: “Always tell an adult about sharp or dangerous things.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify other dangerous objects and repeat the safety rule.

Learning Point: Pupils understand that the safety rule applies to all sharp, dangerous objects.

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.

“Can you recite the rhyme ‘See a Pin and Pick It Up’?”
“What is a pin?” (Show a picture of a pin).
“If you see a pin on the floor, what is the first thing you should do?”
“Who should pick up a pin or broken glass?”

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: Summarization

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them to always be careful and tell an adult about anything sharp or dangerous they see. “Remember, staying safe makes you have good luck every day!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and repeat the safety message.

Learning Point: Pupils consolidate the main safety message of the lesson.

Lesson Keywords

Pin – A small, sharp object.
Safe – Not in danger; protected from harm.
Careful – Paying attention to avoid danger.
Adult – A grown-up person.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who struggle to recite the rhyme, the teacher can use hand-over-hand actions, repeat lines slowly, or have them focus only on the key safety phrase “Tell an adult.” Use larger, clearer pictures of dangerous objects.
Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, the teacher can ask them to name other sharp objects they might see at home or school, or draw a picture of themselves telling an adult about a dangerous object.