Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare clear picture cards showing children quietly learning, eating, and resting. The central idea is for pupils to understand and begin to observe silence during these specific times. An observable action showing successful learning will be pupils demonstrating quiet behaviour during a short role-play or by identifying pictures of appropriate quiet conduct.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 9
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Personal Development
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Good manners at school.
Topic: Silence Time during Learning, Meals and Rest
Subject Matter: Silence Time. Weekly focus: Silence Time during Learning, Meals and Rest.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify situations where silence is important (learning, meals, rest).
- State simple reasons why silence is needed during these times.
Affective Domain
- Appreciate the importance of observing silence.
- Show willingness to be quiet during learning, meals, and rest.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate quiet behaviour during a short role-play of learning, eating, or resting.
- Point to pictures showing children observing silence.
Social Domain
- Participate in discussions about good classroom behaviour.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Learner Environmental Studies
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Chart showing children learning quietly.
- Picture cards of children eating silently.
- Images of children resting peacefully.
- A “Quiet Please” sign or symbol.
- Small mats or cushions for a rest time demonstration.
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is crucial for 4-year-olds as it introduces them to essential self-regulation and social skills. Learning to observe silence helps children focus better during activities, show respect for others during meals, and allows for proper rest and rejuvenation, contributing to a more orderly and productive learning environment.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have some understanding of general classroom rules and good behaviour, such as listening to the teacher and sharing toys.Lesson Content/Board Summary
Silence Time during Learning, Meals and Rest
What is Silence Time?
Silence time means being quiet, not talking loudly, and not making noise. It helps us to concentrate and respect others.
Why is Silence Time important?
- During Learning:
- It helps us listen to the teacher.
- It helps us think and understand our work.
- It helps our friends learn too, without distractions.
- During Meals:
- It helps us chew our food properly.
- It helps us enjoy our food.
- It prevents us from disturbing our friends who are eating.
- During Rest:
- It helps our bodies and minds relax.
- It helps us get energy for more play and learning.
- It helps our friends sleep or rest peacefully.
Key Words
- Silence – being quiet, not talking or making noise.
- Learning – when we study and gain knowledge.
- Meals – when we eat our food.
- Rest – when we relax our bodies and minds.
Quiet Time Rhyme
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Lyrics:
Quiet time, quiet time,
When we learn, it’s quiet time.
Mouths are closed, ears are open wide,
Good ideas we keep inside.
Quiet time, quiet time,
When we learn, it’s quiet time.
Quiet time, quiet time,
When we eat, it’s quiet time.
Chew our food, no loud sound,
Happy tummies all around.
Quiet time, quiet time,
When we eat, it’s quiet time.
Quiet time, quiet time,
When we rest, it’s quiet time.
Close our eyes, take a nap,
Energy for every clap!
Quiet time, quiet time,
When we rest, it’s quiet time.
Actions: For learning, point to mouth then ear. For eating, mime chewing. For rest, close eyes and put head on hands. For clap, clap hands.
Watch and Practise
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Explain “Silence Time” using simple language and relatable examples. Use the picture cards to illustrate each situation (learning, meals, rest). Ask pupils to describe what they see in the pictures and why the children are quiet. Emphasize that being quiet helps everyone.
What to show or demonstrate: Display the “Quiet Please” sign. Model quiet behaviour for each situation: sitting quietly with a book (learning), miming eating slowly and silently (meals), and gently closing eyes (rest). Encourage pupils to imitate these actions.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Quiet Time Rhyme” after discussing each situation. Sing it slowly and clearly, demonstrating the actions. Repeat the rhyme several times, encouraging pupils to join in with the words and actions. Use it as a transition or reminder throughout the day.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a “Quiet Time Song.” Ask pupils to watch and listen for how the children in the video show they are quiet. After watching, discuss actions seen in the video that relate to being quiet during learning, meals, and rest. Encourage pupils to practise being quiet like the children in the song.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils can identify the appropriate times for silence and if they attempt to demonstrate quiet behaviour. Watch for pupils who may struggle with self-regulation and offer gentle reminders and positive reinforcement.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Question and Answer
- Role-play
- Imitation
- Repetition
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recap
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to remember some good manners they learned. The teacher then introduces the topic of “Silence Time” by asking, “Who knows what it means to be quiet?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and share ideas about good manners. They attempt to answer what “quiet” means.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the concept of quietness.
Step 2: Silence Time during Learning
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a picture of children learning quietly. The teacher explains why silence is important during learning (to listen, to think, to help others). The teacher models sitting quietly with a book.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the picture and the teacher’s demonstration. They listen to the explanation and try to sit quietly like the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the need for silence during learning.
Step 3: Silence Time during Meals
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Picture Talk
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a picture of children eating silently. The teacher discusses why it’s good to be quiet during meals (to enjoy food, not to disturb others). The teacher mimes chewing food quietly.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the picture and discuss. They observe the teacher’s mime and may try to imitate quiet eating.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about observing silence during meal times.
Step 4: Silence Time during Rest
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a picture of children resting peacefully. The teacher explains that silence helps our bodies and minds rest. The teacher models closing eyes gently and resting their head.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the picture and the teacher’s demonstration. They listen and may try to close their eyes and rest their heads.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the importance of silence for rest.
Step 5: Rhyme and Video Reinforcement
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Songs and Rhymes/Media Integration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing the “Quiet Time Rhyme” with actions, focusing on each part (learning, meals, rest). The teacher then plays the “Quiet Time Song for Kids” video and encourages pupils to watch and follow along with any quiet actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions. They watch the video and try to imitate the quiet actions shown.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of silence through song and visual aids.
Step 6: Role-play and Application
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Role-play
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to do a short role-play: “Let’s pretend we are all learning quietly,” or “Let’s pretend we are eating our snacks quietly.” The teacher uses the “Quiet Please” sign as a visual cue.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the role-play, attempting to demonstrate quiet behaviour for each scenario as guided by the teacher and the sign.
Learning Point: Pupils apply their understanding by demonstrating quiet behaviour.
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.
- Show me how you sit quietly when we are learning.
- Is it good to talk loudly during meal time? (Pupils respond “No”)
- Point to the picture where children are resting quietly.
- Name one time when we should be quiet.
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 remember “Silence Time” during learning, meals, and rest. The teacher leads a final round of the “Quiet Time Rhyme.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, respond, and sing the rhyme one last time.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are encouraged to practise the habit.
Lesson Keywords
- Silence – Being quiet, not making noise.
- Learning – When we do our school work and listen to the teacher.
- Meals – When we eat our food, like breakfast or lunch.
- Rest – Taking a break to relax our bodies and minds.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, use larger, clearer picture cards and provide more one-on-one modelling. Use hand gestures and a soft voice to cue quietness. Repeat instructions and the rhyme more frequently.
- Extension: Encourage pupils who grasp the concept quickly to identify other times when silence might be important (e.g., in the library, when someone is speaking, during assembly). Ask them to explain in their own simple words why silence is needed in these extra situations.
Community Join the conversation Open discussion +