Sing a Song of Sixpence, Recitation, Singing and Role-Play for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Third Term
Week: 6
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Songs and Rhymes
Previous Lesson: Listening to and repeating simple rhymes
Topic: SING A SONG OF SIXPENCE: RECITATION, SINGING AND ROLE-PLAY
Subject Matter: Sing a Song of Sixpence: Recitation, Singing and Role-Play

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Recite the rhyme “Sing a Song of Sixpence.”
• Sing the song “Sing a Song of Sixpence.”
• Identify the main characters in the rhyme.
• Name Nigerian currency (Naira and Kobo) as an example of money.

Affective Domain

• Show enjoyment while singing and reciting the rhyme.
• Participate enthusiastically in role-play activities.

Psychomotor Domain

• Perform simple actions related to the rhyme.
• Role-play the characters and their actions from the song.

Social Domain

• Take turns and cooperate with peers during role-play.
• Listen attentively when others are reciting or singing.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
• Early Childhood Care and Education resources

Instructional Materials

• Picture cards of a bird (blackbird), money (old coins, play Naira notes), and bread
• A large picture chart of the “Sing a Song of Sixpence” rhyme
• Simple props for role-play: a toy bird, a small pie or plate, a toy crown, a small apron, a clothesline and pegs (optional)
• Audio recording or video of the song “Sing a Song of Sixpence”

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps 5-year-olds develop language and memory skills through the repetition and rhythm of the rhyme. It also fosters creativity and social development as they engage in role-play, understanding different characters and their actions. Learning about “sixpence” and comparing it to Nigerian currency introduces a simple concept of money.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have listened to and repeated other simple rhymes and songs. They can identify common objects like birds and bread.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

SING A SONG OF SIXPENCE: RECITATION, SINGING AND ROLE-PLAY

The Rhyme: Sing a Song of Sixpence

Lyrics:

Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye,
Four and twenty blackbirds,
Baked in a pie.

When the pie was opened,
The birds began to sing;
Wasn’t that a dainty dish,
To set before the king?

The king was in his counting-house,
Counting out his money;
The queen was in the parlour,
Eating bread and honey.

The maid was in the garden,
Hanging out the clothes,
When down came a blackbird,
And pecked off her nose.

Key Words

• Sixpence – An old type of money.
• Blackbirds – Small, dark birds.
• Pie – Food baked inside a pastry crust.
• King – A male ruler of a country.
• Queen – A female ruler of a country.
• Maid – A woman who works in a house.

Characters and Their Actions

• Blackbirds: Hidden in a pie, then fly out and sing. One pecks the maid’s nose.
• King: Counting his money in the counting-house.
• Queen: Eating bread and honey in the parlour.
• Maid: Hanging clothes in the garden.

Money Comparison

The rhyme talks about “sixpence,” which is old money. In Nigeria, we use Naira and Kobo.

Watch and Sing Along

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s022p-u5g_o

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Storytelling, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Role-play, Imitation, Repetition

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Motivation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and starts with a warm-up song or chant. The teacher then introduces the topic by asking if they like birds or pies, and mentions they will learn a fun rhyme about them.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, participate in the warm-up, and show interest in the new topic.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready to learn.

Step 2: Recitation of the Rhyme

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Repetition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the entire rhyme “Sing a Song of Sixpence” clearly, using the picture chart to illustrate. The teacher then recites it line by line, encouraging pupils to repeat after her.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the rhyme and repeat each line after the teacher.

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

Step 3: Singing the Song

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Singing/Action Guidance

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher sings the rhyme to a simple, familiar tune, demonstrating actions for each part (e.g., pretending to hold a pie, flapping hands for birds, counting money). The teacher encourages pupils to sing along and imitate the actions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing along with the teacher and perform the actions.

Learning Point: Pupils learn to sing the song and associate actions with the lyrics.

Step 4: Discussion and Vocabulary

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the characters (king, queen, maid, blackbirds) using picture cards. The teacher explains “sixpence” as old money and shows play Naira and Kobo, asking pupils to name them. The teacher asks what each character was doing.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify characters, name Naira and Kobo, and describe simple actions from the rhyme.

Learning Point: Pupils understand key vocabulary and the roles of the characters.

Step 5: Introducing Role-Play

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Organisation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that they will act out the song. The teacher assigns simple roles (e.g., King, Queen, Maid, Blackbirds) to a few pupils and demonstrates the actions they should perform.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to instructions, observe the teacher’s demonstration, and understand their assigned roles.

Learning Point: Pupils prepare for active role-play.

Step 6: Guided Role-Play

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Encouragement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides the pupils through the role-play, singing the song while pupils perform their assigned actions. The teacher provides gentle prompts and encouragement.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils act out their roles as the song is sung, imitating the actions demonstrated by the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils develop social skills and reinforce understanding of the rhyme through active participation.

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.

1. “Can you recite the first verse of ‘Sing a Song of Sixpence’?”
2. “Who was eating bread and honey in the song?”
3. “What is the name of our money in Nigeria?”
4. “Show me how the blackbirds sang.”

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: Reinforcement/Praise

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and good singing. The teacher reminds them to keep singing the song at home. The teacher leads a closing song.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to praise and participate in the closing song.

Learning Point: Pupils feel successful and are encouraged to continue practising.

Lesson Keywords

• Sixpence – An old type of money.
• Blackbirds – Small, dark birds.
• Pie – Food baked inside a pastry crust.
• King – A male ruler.
• Queen – A female ruler.
• Maid – A woman who works in a house.
• Naira – The money used in Nigeria.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle with memorisation, use more visual aids and repeat lines/actions slowly. Allow them to join in only on key words or actions. Pair them with a more confident peer during role-play.
• Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to identify more details from the rhyme, such as where the king was or what the maid was doing. They can also take on multiple roles during role-play or help lead the actions. Ask them to name other types of money they might have seen.