Spiky Hedgehog for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Second Term
Week: 6
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Creativity
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Second Term Colour Splash Activity
Topic: Spiky Hedgehog
Subject Matter: Spiky Hedgehog

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify a hedgehog from a picture.
• Name some characteristics of a hedgehog.

Affective Domain

• Show interest in creating a hedgehog craft.
• Listen and follow simple instructions carefully.

Psychomotor Domain

• Cut broom bristles into small, manageable sizes using child-safe scissors.
• Colour designated parts of a hedgehog outline.
• Apply bond gum to stick broom pieces onto a hedgehog outline.

Social Domain

• Share materials respectfully with classmates.
• Participate in group activities by taking turns.

Reference Materials

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

Instructional Materials

• Picture of a real hedgehog
• Pre-drawn hedgehog outlines on paper (one per pupil)
• Small, soft brooms (or broom bristles)
• Child-safe scissors (one per pupil or shared)
• Bond gum or safe craft glue
• Crayons or coloured pencils

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps 5-year-olds develop their fine motor skills through cutting and sticking, which are important for pre-writing and daily tasks. It also encourages creativity and observation as they learn about a unique animal and recreate its spiky texture using everyday materials.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can recognise some common animals, hold and use crayons, and have some experience with simple cutting and sticking activities.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Spiky Hedgehog

A hedgehog is a small, spiky animal. It has sharp spines all over its back to protect itself from danger. Today, we will make our own spiky hedgehog craft!

Materials We Will Use

• Picture of a hedgehog
• Paper hedgehog outline
• Broom bristles (to make the spikes)
• Bond gum (to stick the spikes)
• Crayons (to colour)
• Child-safe scissors (to cut the broom)

Steps to Make Our Spiky Hedgehog

1. Look at the picture of a real hedgehog. See its spikes!
2. Cut small pieces from the broom bristles. These will be our hedgehog’s spikes.
3. Colour the face and legs of your paper hedgehog.
4. Put a little bond gum on the back part of the hedgehog outline.
5. Carefully stick the small broom pieces onto the gum to make the hedgehog spiky.

Key Words

• Hedgehog – a small animal with sharp spines on its back.
• Spiky – having sharp points, like a hedgehog’s back.
• Broom – a tool with bristles, used for sweeping.
• Gum – a sticky substance used to join things together.
• Cut – to divide something with scissors.
• Stick – to attach something using glue or gum.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

• A clear picture of a hedgehog, pointing to its spikes.
• A pre-drawn hedgehog outline on paper.
• Demonstrate how to safely hold and use child-safe scissors to cut broom bristles.
• Demonstrate how to apply gum and stick the bristles onto the outline.

Spiky Hedgehog Song

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:

Hedgehog, hedgehog, small and round,
Spiky bristles can be found!
Cut the broom and stick them on,
Make our hedgehog strong and long.
Hedgehog, hedgehog, spiky friend,
Our fun craft will never end!

Actions:
Line 1: Make a small round shape with hands.
Line 2: Wiggle fingers to show spikes.
Line 3: Make cutting motion, then sticking motion.
Line 4: Pat hands together.
Line 5: Wiggle fingers again.
Line 6: Clap hands joyfully.

How to use the rhyme: Sing this song while pupils are working on their craft to reinforce the activity and keep them engaged.

Watch and Learn About Hedgehogs

Let’s watch a short video to see what real hedgehogs look like and how they use their spikes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-F6-F9d_c4

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Picture Talk, Songs and Rhymes, Practical Activity, Question and Answer

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to name some animals they know. The teacher then introduces the topic by asking if they know any animals with spikes or sharp points.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher and name various animals. Some may mention spiky animals if they know any.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready to learn about a new animal.

Step 2: Identifying the Hedgehog

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Observation/Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a clear picture of a hedgehog. The teacher points to its spiky back and explains that the spikes help protect it. The teacher then plays the short video about hedgehogs.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the picture and the video, identifying the hedgehog and its spiky features.

Learning Point: Pupils recognise a hedgehog and understand why it is spiky.

Step 3: Introducing Craft Materials

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Material Presentation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows the pupils the materials they will use for the craft: paper hedgehog outlines, broom bristles, child-safe scissors, bond gum, and crayons. The teacher explains the purpose of each material.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the materials and listen to the teacher’s explanation.

Learning Point: Pupils become familiar with the craft materials.

Step 4: Demonstrating Cutting the Broom

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Safety

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to safely hold child-safe scissors and cut small pieces from the broom bristles. The teacher reminds pupils to be careful and cut only the broom, not their fingers or clothes.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstration carefully, paying attention to safety instructions.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the correct and safe way to cut the broom bristles.

Step 5: Pupils Cut Broom Bristles

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Supervision

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes broom bristles and child-safe scissors to each pupil. The teacher supervises closely, assisting pupils who need help with cutting and ensuring safety. The teacher sings the “Spiky Hedgehog Song” while pupils cut.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils carefully cut the broom bristles into small pieces, following the teacher’s guidance.

Learning Point: Pupils develop fine motor skills and practice safe scissor use.

Step 6: Colouring and Sticking the Spikes

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to colour the face and legs of the hedgehog outline. Then, the teacher shows how to apply a small amount of bond gum to the back part of the hedgehog and carefully stick the cut broom pieces onto the gum. The teacher guides pupils to do the same.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils colour their hedgehog outlines and then stick the broom bristles onto the designated spiky area using bond gum.

Learning Point: Pupils complete the creative craft, applying fine motor skills and following instructions.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

1. “What animal did we make today?”
2. “What did we use to make the hedgehog spiky?”
3. “Show me how you cut the broom bristles safely.”
4. The teacher observes each pupil’s finished hedgehog craft.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate, showing their finished craft.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson and the craft process.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Recap/Closure

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their hard work and beautiful spiky hedgehogs. The teacher reminds them to always be careful when using scissors and gum. Pupils are asked to tidy up their workspace.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils show their finished crafts, tidy up their materials, and say goodbye to the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils feel proud of their work and learn the importance of tidiness.

Lesson Keywords

• Hedgehog – a small, spiky animal.
• Spiky – having sharp points.
• Broom – a tool with bristles.
• Gum – a sticky substance.
• Cut – to use scissors to divide.
• Stick – to attach with glue.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle with cutting, the teacher can pre-cut some broom bristles for them, or provide larger, easier-to-cut bristles. The teacher can also offer hand-over-hand guidance for sticking.
• Extension: For pupils who finish quickly, they can be encouraged to draw a simple background for their hedgehog (e.g., grass, sun) or make another small animal using leftover materials. They could also count how many broom pieces they used.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have enough broom bristles for each child, pre-drawn hedgehog outlines, and child-safe scissors. Emphasise scissor safety throughout the activity. Supervise closely during cutting and sticking to prevent accidents and ensure proper use of materials. Encourage pupils to be creative with their colouring before adding the spikes. The main idea children must understand is that a hedgehog has spikes and they can recreate this texture using craft materials. Observable actions showing understanding include correctly identifying the hedgehog, safely cutting the broom, and successfully sticking the bristles to form a spiky texture on their craft.