Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, prepare child-sized brooms, dustpans, a waste bin, and some safe, clean “dirt” like paper scraps or empty wrappers. The central idea is for pupils to actively participate in keeping their environment clean by sweeping, picking up dirt, and disposing of it properly. Emphasise safety when handling tools and ensure pupils understand that a clean environment helps them stay healthy. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can demonstrate these cleaning actions and correctly place dirt in a waste bin.
Class: Pre-School Level 2
Term: Second Term
Week: 10
Age: 3 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Health Habits
Curriculum Theme: Health Habits
Previous Lesson: Personal Hygiene and Handwashing
Topic: Sweeping, Picking Dirt and Proper Waste Disposal
Subject Matter: Cleanliness (Taking Care of Our Environment)
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify simple cleaning tools like a broom and waste bin.
- State one reason why it is important to keep our environment clean.
Affective Domain
- Show willingness to participate in keeping their classroom clean.
- Appreciate a clean and tidy environment.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate how to sweep a small area.
- Practise picking up small pieces of dirt.
- Properly dispose of dirt into a waste bin.
Social Domain
- Participate in guided group cleaning activities.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 2
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
- Relevant picture books on cleanliness
Instructional Materials
- Small child-sized brooms
- Small dustpans
- A waste bin
- Examples of “dirt” (e.g., clean paper scraps, empty sweet wrappers, biscuit wrappers)
- Chart posters showing clean and dirty environments
- Flash cards with pictures of cleaning tools
- Video on cleaning
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 3-year-olds as it introduces fundamental health habits that contribute to their well-being. Learning to sweep, pick dirt, and dispose of waste properly helps children understand the importance of a clean environment, preventing the spread of germs and promoting good health from an early age. It also fosters a sense of responsibility for their surroundings.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify basic objects around them and have a simple understanding of what “clean” and “dirty” mean.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Sweeping, Picking Dirt and Proper Waste Disposal
What is Cleanliness?
- Cleanliness means keeping our surroundings neat and free from dirt.
- A clean environment makes us healthy and happy.
Why is Cleanliness Important?
- It helps us stay healthy and prevents sickness.
- It makes our school and home look nice.
How to Keep Our Environment Clean:
- Sweeping: Use a broom to gather dirt into a pile.
- Picking Dirt: Use a dustpan or your hands (if safe) to collect the dirt.
- Proper Waste Disposal: Put all the collected dirt into a waste bin.
Examples of Dirt We Find:
- Biscuit wrappers
- Sweet wrappers
- Pieces of paper
- Food crumbs
Tools for Cleaning:
- Broom
- Dustpan
- Waste bin
Key Words
- Clean – not dirty.
- Dirt – rubbish or unwanted things.
- Sweep – to clean with a broom.
- Pick – to take something up.
- Waste bin – a container for rubbish.
Clean-Up Rhyme
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
Sweep, sweep, sweep the floor,
Make our classroom clean once more.
Pick up dirt and put it in,
In the waste bin, let’s all win.
Clean, clean, clean is best,
For our health and for our rest!
Actions: Mimic sweeping, bending to pick up dirt, pointing to a waste bin, clapping.
Watch and Practise
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce the concepts of “clean” and “dirty” using real examples in the classroom. Explain the importance of cleanliness in simple terms, focusing on staying healthy. Use chart posters to show differences between clean and dirty environments.
What to show or demonstrate: Clearly demonstrate how to hold a small broom, sweep dirt into a pile, use a dustpan to pick up the dirt, and then empty it into the waste bin. Use the prepared “dirt” for this demonstration.
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing the “Clean-Up Rhyme” several times with the pupils, encouraging them to perform the actions. Use it as a transition or a fun way to reinforce the cleaning steps.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see other children cleaning. Play the video and encourage pupils to watch the actions. After watching, discuss what they saw and prompt them to mimic the cleaning actions from the video.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are attempting to mimic the sweeping and picking actions, and if they understand that dirt goes into the waste bin. Correct their actions gently and provide positive reinforcement.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Question and Answer
- Practical Activity
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: Greet pupils and ask them about their favourite clean place (e.g., their bed, a clean park). Show pictures of a clean classroom and a dirty classroom and ask which one they prefer and why.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and point to the clean classroom picture, explaining why they like it.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and begin thinking about clean environments.
Step 2: Presentation – What is Cleanliness?
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Concept Introduction
Teacher’s Activity: Introduce the topic: “Sweeping, Picking Dirt and Proper Waste Disposal.” Explain that cleanliness means keeping our surroundings neat. Discuss why it’s important (to stay healthy, to make our school look nice). Show examples of dirt (wrappers, paper scraps) and cleaning tools (broom, dustpan, waste bin).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the dirt examples and cleaning tools, and repeat “clean” and “healthy.”
Learning Point: Pupils understand the meaning of cleanliness and its importance.
Step 3: Demonstration – Sweeping
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: Place some “dirt” on the floor. Demonstrate how to hold a small broom and sweep the dirt into a small pile. Emphasise sweeping gently and gathering the dirt in one spot.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstration carefully, observing how to use the broom.
Learning Point: Pupils observe the correct technique for sweeping.
Step 4: Guided Practice – Sweeping
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Supervision
Teacher’s Activity: Provide pupils with small brooms (if available) and guide them to practise sweeping small areas or the “dirt” into a pile. Offer individual assistance and encouragement.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to sweep the “dirt” into piles, following the teacher’s guidance.
Learning Point: Pupils develop motor skills for sweeping and begin to apply the concept.
Step 5: Demonstration & Practice – Picking Dirt and Proper Disposal
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practical Application
Teacher’s Activity: Demonstrate how to use a dustpan to pick up the swept dirt and then empty it into the waste bin. Guide pupils to pick up the “dirt” they swept and put it into the waste bin. Emphasise that dirt goes ONLY into the waste bin.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practise picking up the “dirt” with a dustpan or their hands (if safe) and disposing of it in the waste bin.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the correct way to pick up dirt and dispose of it properly.
Step 6: Reinforcement – Rhyme and Video
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Engagement
Teacher’s Activity: Lead pupils in singing the “Clean-Up Rhyme” with actions. Play the “Clean Up Song for Kids” video and encourage pupils to sing along and mimic the cleaning actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch/participate with the video.
Learning Point: Concepts are reinforced through song and visual aids, making learning fun.
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 do we use to sweep the floor?” (Show a broom).
- “Where do we put the dirt after we pick it up?” (Point to the waste bin).
- Ask a few pupils to demonstrate sweeping a small area.
- Ask a few pupils to demonstrate picking up a piece of “dirt” and putting it in the bin.
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: Summary/Encouragement
Teacher’s Activity: Summarise the lesson by reminding pupils that keeping their environment clean is a good habit. Encourage them to help keep their homes and school clean every day.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and repeat “clean environment.”
Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to practise cleanliness daily.
Lesson Keywords
- Clean – When something is not dirty.
- Dirt – Things like paper, wrappers, or dust that make a place untidy.
- Sweep – To clean the floor using a broom.
- Pick – To take something from the ground with your hands.
- Waste bin – A container where we put all our dirt and rubbish.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who need extra help, provide larger “dirt” items to pick up, offer hand-over-hand guidance for sweeping, and repeat instructions slowly. Use more visual cues and direct pointing to the waste bin.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, encourage them to identify other types of dirt in the classroom or explain in simple words why a clean environment is better than a dirty one. They can also help lead the rhyme or assist peers.
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