Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, ensure each pupil has a handwriting workbook or tracing paper and a sharpened pencil. Prepare a whiteboard or chalkboard for demonstration and have some circular objects (e.g., a plate, ball, bottle cap) ready. The central idea is for pupils to understand that a circle is round and has no corners, and to practise tracing it with the correct starting point and direction, which will be observable in their tracing exercises.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 7
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Handwriting
Curriculum Theme: Handwriting
Previous Lesson: Tracing of vertical and horizontal lines
Topic: Tracing of Circles
Subject Matter: Tracing of Circles. Content: Tracing.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify a circle among other shapes.
- State that a circle is round and has no corners.
Affective Domain
- Show enthusiasm for tracing circles.
- Listen attentively to instructions for tracing.
Psychomotor Domain
- Hold a pencil correctly for tracing.
- Trace a circle following the correct direction.
Social Domain
- Participate in group activities like finding circular objects.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Handwriting workbooks or tracing paper
- Pencils and crayons
- Whiteboard or chalkboard
- Circular objects (e.g., a plate, ball, bottle cap, hoop)
- Large circle templates or stencils
- Sand tray (optional, for finger tracing)
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is crucial for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which are foundational for future writing. Tracing circles helps pupils control their pencil movements, understand curved lines, and prepares them for forming letters like ‘O’, ‘C’, ‘G’, and ‘D’. It also reinforces their understanding of basic shapes in a practical way.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify some basic shapes like circles, squares, and triangles. They have also practised tracing simple pre-writing patterns such as vertical and horizontal lines.Lesson Content/Board Summary
Tracing of Circles
A circle is a round shape. It has no corners or straight sides. Think of things that are shaped like a circle:- A ball
- A plate
- The sun
- A wheel
- A clock
Watch and Practise
Circle Rhyme
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
Circle, circle, round and round,
No straight lines can here be found.
Start at top, go all the way,
Trace a circle every day.
Round and round, a lovely sight,
Tracing circles, oh so bright!
Actions: Pupils make a large circle in the air with their finger while singing.
Key Words
- Circle – a round shape with no corners.
- Round – shaped like a circle.
- Trace – to follow the outline of something with a pencil or finger.
- Pencil – a tool used for writing or drawing.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Begin by showing pupils various circular objects and asking them to identify the shape. Emphasize that a circle is “round” and has “no corners.” Use simple, clear language. Demonstrate air tracing a circle, starting from the top and moving counter-clockwise, then repeat with finger tracing on a table or in a sand tray.
What to show or demonstrate: Display actual circular objects. Draw a large circle on the whiteboard, pointing to the starting point and demonstrating the tracing movement. Show how to hold the pencil correctly (tripod grip) and guide pupils to practise the movement in the air before putting pencil to paper.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Circle Rhyme” after explaining what a circle is. Sing it several times, encouraging pupils to join in and perform the actions of making a large circle in the air with their finger. This reinforces the concept of roundness and the tracing motion.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see how to trace circles. Play the video, asking pupils to watch closely how the circle is formed. After watching, encourage them to practise the air tracing motion shown in the video. Discuss what they observed about how the circle was drawn.
What to watch for: Observe pupils’ pencil grip and the direction of their tracing. Gently correct any incorrect grip or tracing direction. Encourage them to make smooth, continuous lines rather than short, jerky strokes.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Manipulation of Objects, Repetition, Practical Activity.Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engaging/Activating prior knowledge
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pupils various objects with different shapes (e.g., a square block, a triangular ruler, a round plate). The teacher asks, “What shape is this?” pointing to the round plate.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the round plate as a “circle” or “round.”
Learning Point: Pupils recall and identify the circle shape.
Step 2: Presentation of Topic
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explaining/Defining
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher formally introduces the topic “Tracing of Circles.” The teacher explains that a circle is a round shape with no corners. The teacher shows more circular objects and asks pupils to name them.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat “Circle” and name other circular objects they know (e.g., ball, sun, wheel).
Learning Point: Pupils understand the characteristics of a circle.
Step 3: Demonstration of Tracing
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Modelling/Demonstrating
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher draws a large circle on the whiteboard. The teacher demonstrates how to trace a circle, starting from the top and moving counter-clockwise, making a smooth, continuous curve. The teacher then asks pupils to trace a large circle in the air with their fingers.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration and then practise tracing circles in the air with their fingers.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the correct starting point and direction for tracing a circle.
Step 4: Guided Practice (Finger Tracing)
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guiding/Facilitating
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides each pupil with a large circle template or asks them to use a circular object (like a bottle cap) to finger trace. The teacher guides them to trace the outline with their finger, reinforcing the “start at the top, go round and close” instruction.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils finger trace circles on templates or circular objects, following the teacher’s guidance.
Learning Point: Pupils develop tactile understanding and muscle memory for the circular motion.
Step 5: Rhyme and Video Reinforcement
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcing/Engaging
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing the “Circle Rhyme” with actions. Then, the teacher plays the short video on tracing circles, asking pupils to watch carefully and practise air tracing along with the video.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the video, practising air tracing as shown.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce the concept of circles and tracing through song and visual demonstration.
Step 6: Practical Activity (Pencil Tracing)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Supervising/Applying
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes handwriting workbooks or tracing paper and pencils. The teacher reminds pupils about correct pencil grip and tracing direction. The teacher supervises as pupils begin to trace circles in their workbooks.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils hold their pencils correctly and trace circles in their workbooks or on tracing paper.
Learning Point: Pupils apply their knowledge to trace circles using a pencil.
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 a circle in the classroom.”
- “What shape is round and has no corners?”
- “Trace a circle in the air for me.”
- The teacher observes pupils’ traced circles in their workbooks.
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: Summarising/Praising
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their effort and good work in tracing circles. The teacher reminds them to keep practising and points out that many things around us are circles. The teacher may lead a final round of the “Circle Rhyme.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher, participate in the final rhyme, and put away their materials.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and feel encouraged.
Lesson Keywords
- Circle – a round shape with no corners.
- Round – shaped like a circle.
- Trace – to follow the outline of something with a pencil or finger.
- Pencil – a tool used for writing or drawing.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, provide larger circle templates or guide their hand-over-hand during tracing. Allow them to practise tracing in a sand tray or on a large surface before using paper. Provide extra verbal prompts for direction.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concept, encourage them to trace circles of different sizes. They can also try to draw a freehand circle after tracing, or colour the circles they have traced using different crayons.
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