Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, ensure you have a rhyme book or chart with the lyrics of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and pictures of stars or a night sky. The central idea is for pupils to learn the rhyme by repetition and understand that stars are heavenly bodies. Observe pupils’ active participation in singing and their ability to point to or describe a star when asked.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 1
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Songs and Rhymes
Curriculum Theme: Songs and Rhymes
Previous Lesson: Identifying common objects in the sky
Topic: TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR
Subject Matter: TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Recite the rhyme “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” with some accuracy.
- Identify a star from a picture or chart.
- State that stars are examples of heavenly bodies.
Affective Domain
- Show enjoyment while singing the song.
- Participate actively in group singing and actions.
Psychomotor Domain
- Perform simple actions associated with the song (e.g., twinkling fingers).
Social Domain
- Share space and take turns during group activities.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
- A suitable early-years songs and rhymes workbook
Instructional Materials
- Rhyme book or chart with “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” lyrics
- Picture cards of stars and a night sky
- Video on “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Rationale for the Lesson
Learning “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” helps 4-year-olds develop language skills, memory, and rhythm through a familiar and engaging song. It also introduces them to basic pre-science concepts about the natural world, specifically identifying stars as heavenly bodies, fostering curiosity about the sky.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can recognise some common objects in the sky like the sun and moon, and they enjoy listening to and repeating simple songs.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR
The Song: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Tune: Traditional melody
Lyrics:
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Actions: Pupils can open and close their fingers to represent twinkling, and point upwards when singing “up above the world so high.”
What is a Star?
A star is a bright, shiny light that we see in the sky at night. Stars are very, very far away.
Stars are examples of heavenly bodies. Heavenly bodies are natural things that we see in the sky, like the sun, the moon, and stars.
Watch and Practise
Key Words
- Twinkle – to shine with a light that changes quickly from bright to faint.
- Star – a bright point of light that we see in the night sky.
- Heavenly bodies – natural objects that are in space, like stars, the sun, and the moon.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Begin by reciting the rhyme slowly, line by line, using expressive gestures. Then, introduce the concept of a star using a picture of a night sky. Explain “heavenly bodies” simply as “things we see in the sky.”
What to show or demonstrate: Display the rhyme chart prominently. Point to pictures of stars on a chart or flashcard. Demonstrate the twinkling finger actions for the song.
How to use the rhyme/song: Recite the rhyme several times, encouraging pupils to repeat after you. Sing the song together, guiding pupils through the actions. Repeat the song at least 3-4 times to help with memorisation.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to sing along. Play the video once for pupils to watch and listen. Play it again, encouraging them to sing and do the actions along with the video. Discuss what they saw in the video afterwards.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are attempting to repeat the words and actions. Check for their ability to point to a star in pictures and understand that it is a heavenly body.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Repetition, Question and Answer, Visual AidsInstructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what they see in the sky at night. The teacher then introduces the topic by saying, “Today, we will learn a lovely song about one of the bright things we see in the night sky!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions by naming things they see in the night sky (e.g., moon, stars). They listen attentively.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready for the lesson.
Step 2: Presentation of the Rhyme
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Recitation/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the entire “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” rhyme clearly and slowly, using appropriate gestures and a soothing voice. The teacher then sings the song.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen carefully to the teacher’s recitation and singing. Some may attempt to mimic the gestures.
Learning Point: Pupils are exposed to the full rhyme and melody.
Step 3: Explanation of Stars as Heavenly Bodies
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aids
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of stars and a night sky. The teacher explains that stars are bright lights in the sky and are examples of “heavenly bodies” (things in space). “Stars are very, very far away and they twinkle!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the pictures and listen to the explanation. They may point to the stars in the pictures.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what a star is and that it is a heavenly body.
Step 4: Guided Repetition of the Rhyme
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Repetition/Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites the rhyme line by line, asking pupils to repeat each line after her. The teacher provides support and corrects pronunciation gently.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat each line of the rhyme after the teacher, trying to match the words and rhythm.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to memorise the rhyme through repetition.
Step 5: Full Rhyme Practice with Actions
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Singing/Action Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the entire “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” song together, encouraging them to perform the twinkling finger actions and point upwards.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the full song along with the teacher, performing the actions as demonstrated.
Learning Point: Pupils practise the song with actions, reinforcing memory and coordination.
Step 6: Video Reinforcement
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Technology Integration/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” video. The teacher encourages pupils to sing along and do the actions with the video.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video, sing along, and perform the actions, enjoying the visual and auditory reinforcement.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their learning of the song and actions through a different medium.
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.
- Can you sing a part of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”?
- What does a star do in the sky? (Twinkle!)
- Show me a star in this picture.
- Can you tell me where we see stars? (In the sky at night)
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/Praise
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and effort. The teacher reminds them that stars are beautiful heavenly bodies we see at night. “Well done, everyone! You all twinkled like little stars today!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the praise and participate in a final group sing-along of the song.
Learning Point: Pupils feel a sense of accomplishment and consolidate the lesson’s main points.
Lesson Keywords
- Twinkle – to shine with a light that changes quickly.
- Star – a bright light we see in the night sky.
- Heavenly bodies – natural things like stars, the sun, and the moon that are in space.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils struggling with the lyrics, the teacher can use hand-over-hand gestures, sing slower, or provide more one-on-one repetition. Use larger, clearer pictures of stars.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the song, the teacher can ask them to identify other things they see in the night sky or encourage them to lead a verse of the song.
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