Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, prepare a few simple picture cards showing holiday activities (e.g., visiting family, playing games, going to the market) to help pupils generate ideas. The central idea is for pupils to feel comfortable and confident sharing their thoughts and stories in class. Observe how pupils respond to prompts and if they are willing to speak in front of their peers, even if just a few words.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 10
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Personal Development
Curriculum Theme: Personal Development
Previous Lesson: Learning to listen to others in class.
Topic: Speaking Up in Class through Holiday Storytelling
Subject Matter: Speaking Up in Class. Weekly focus: Speaking Up in Class through Holiday Storytelling.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Understand what it means to “speak up” in class.
- Recall simple holiday activities they might do.
Affective Domain
- Show willingness to share a short story or idea in class.
- Feel more confident about expressing themselves orally.
Psychomotor Domain
- Use simple gestures or facial expressions while telling a story.
- Participate in a group storytelling activity.
Social Domain
- Take turns speaking and listening to their friends’ stories.
- Engage positively with the teacher and peers during sharing time.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Learner Environmental Studies
Instructional Materials
- Picture cards showing various holiday activities (e.g., playing, visiting, eating)
- A soft toy or “talking stick” to indicate whose turn it is to speak
- A small, pretend microphone (optional)
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it helps them develop confidence in expressing their thoughts and feelings. Learning to speak up and share ideas in class is a foundational social skill that supports their overall communication development and prepares them for active participation in school and beyond.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can listen to stories, identify familiar objects, and talk about simple personal experiences like what they did at home or what they ate.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Speaking Up in Class through Holiday Storytelling
Speaking Up in Class means using your voice to share your ideas, ask questions, or tell stories when the teacher asks or when you have something important to say. It helps everyone learn and understand better.
Holiday Storytelling is when we tell our friends and teacher about what we plan to do during our upcoming holiday. It’s a fun way to practice speaking up and sharing our happy thoughts!
- When we speak up, we use our words clearly.
- We can share what we like, what we think, or what we will do.
- Sharing our holiday plans helps us practice speaking up and listening to others.
Key Words
- Speak up – to use your voice to talk or share.
- Share – to tell others about something you have or know.
- Holiday – a special time when school is closed, and we can rest or do fun things.
- Story – telling about something that happened or will happen.
Our “Speak Up” Rhyme
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
Speak up, speak up, loud and clear,
Let your happy voice we hear.
Tell a story, big or small,
We love to listen, one and all.
Speak up, speak up, don’t be shy,
Let your happy thoughts fly high!
Actions: Point to mouth when “speak up”, cup ear when “hear”, make hand gestures for “big or small”, clap hands for “one and all”, wave hands up high for “thoughts fly high”.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce “Speaking Up” by asking pupils what it means to use their voices in class. Explain that it’s good to share ideas and ask questions. Introduce “Holiday Storytelling” as a fun way to practice this. Use simple language and lots of encouragement.
What to show or demonstrate: Show picture cards of different holiday activities. Model speaking up by sharing a very simple story about your own holiday plans (e.g., “During the holiday, I will visit my mum and eat jollof rice!”). Demonstrate how to hold the “talking stick” or pretend microphone when it’s your turn to speak.
How to use the rhyme/song: Teach the “Speak Up” rhyme by singing it slowly first, then repeating it with actions. Encourage pupils to join in the actions and sing along. Use it to energise them and reinforce the message of speaking up.
What to watch for: Observe pupils who are shy and gently encourage them. Watch for pupils who might interrupt others and remind them about taking turns. Ensure all pupils get a chance to speak, even if it’s just a few words.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Storytelling
- Role-play
- Question and Answer
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Repetition
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and asks them to make a happy sound. The teacher then asks, “Who likes to talk and share happy things?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the greeting, make a happy sound, and raise their hands if they like to talk.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready to learn about speaking up.
Step 2: Introducing “Speaking Up”
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what “speaking up” means using simple words and gestures. “Speaking up means using your voice to tell us your ideas, ask questions, or share a story. It’s good to speak up in class!” The teacher demonstrates speaking clearly.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, watch the teacher’s demonstration, and repeat “Speak up!”
Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic concept of speaking up.
Step 3: Introducing “Holiday Storytelling”
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Concept Introduction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the idea of “Holiday Storytelling.” “Soon, we will have a holiday! What fun things do you think you will do? Today, we will practice speaking up by telling stories about our holiday plans!” The teacher shows a few picture cards of holiday activities.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the picture cards and mention one or two things they might do during the holiday.
Learning Point: Pupils connect speaking up with sharing holiday plans.
Step 4: Teacher Models Holiday Storytelling
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher takes the “talking stick” or pretend microphone and models a very simple holiday story. “During the holiday, I will go to the village to see my grandma. We will eat fufu and egusi soup, and I will play with my cousins. It will be fun!” The teacher uses clear words and happy expressions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the teacher’s story and observe the expressions.
Learning Point: Pupils observe a clear example of holiday storytelling.
Step 5: Guided Practice – Pupils Share Stories
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Encouragement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher passes the “talking stick” to a few willing pupils, one by one, encouraging them to share one thing they will do during the holiday. “Who wants to tell us one thing they will do?” The teacher offers prompts like, “Will you play? Will you visit family?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns holding the “talking stick” and sharing a short sentence or phrase about their holiday plans.
Learning Point: Pupils practice speaking up and sharing their ideas in a supportive environment.
Step 6: Rhyme Reinforcement
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Movement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Speak Up” rhyme again with actions. “Let’s sing our ‘Speak Up’ rhyme to remember how important it is to share our voices!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions, reinforcing the concept of speaking up.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce the lesson concept through song and movement.
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 does it mean to ‘speak up’ in class?” (Encourage them to say “use your voice” or “tell ideas”).
- “Who can tell us one thing they want to do during the holiday?” (Ask 2-3 pupils).
- “Is it good to silence your teacher?” (This question is from the seed, prompt for a “No” answer and explain why).
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: Closure/Positive Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for speaking up and sharing their stories. “Well done, everyone! You all did a great job speaking up and sharing your holiday stories today. Keep using your voices!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the praise and clap for themselves.
Learning Point: Pupils feel positive about speaking up and sharing.
Lesson Keywords
- Speak up – to use your voice to talk or share your thoughts.
- Share – to tell others about something you have or know.
- Holiday – a special time when school is closed for rest and fun.
- Story – telling about something that happened or will happen.
Differentiation
- Support: For shy pupils, the teacher can ask them to share just one word or point to a picture card to express their holiday plan. The teacher can also allow them to share with a trusted friend first.
- Extension: For more confident pupils, the teacher can encourage them to share two different things they will do during the holiday or ask them a simple follow-up question about their story.
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