Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, gather real examples of water in containers (e.g., a cup of drinking water, a bowl for washing hands, a small watering can) and pictures illustrating various uses of water at home and school. The central idea is for pupils to actively identify and name common uses of water. Ensure a safe and clean environment for any practical demonstrations. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can point to and mention at least three uses of water.

Class: Pre-School Level 2
Term: Second Term
Week: 10
Age: 3 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Pre-Science
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Sources of Water
Topic: Uses of Water at Home and School
Subject Matter: Uses of Water at Home and School

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

Identify at least three uses of water at home.
Name at least two uses of water at school.
Recall simple activities involving water.

Affective Domain

Show appreciation for the importance of water in daily life.
Participate actively in discussions about water use.

Psychomotor Domain

Mime actions related to using water (e.g., drinking, washing hands).
Point to pictures showing different uses of water.

Share ideas with peers about how they use water.
Take turns in answering questions and demonstrating actions.

Reference Materials

NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 2
Early Childhood Care and Education curriculum resources
Relevant charts and posters on uses of water

Instructional Materials

Charts and posters showing various uses of water (e.g., drinking, washing, cooking, bathing, watering plants, mopping)
A cup of clean drinking water
A small bowl of water with soap (for handwashing demonstration)
A small watering can
Pictures of a toilet flushing
Real objects: a cup, a small towel, a toy cooking pot

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding the uses of water is fundamental for young children as water is an essential part of their daily lives at home and school. This lesson helps pupils recognise the practical importance of water for hygiene, health, and various activities, fostering an early appreciation for this vital resource.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are familiar with water and have seen it used in their homes and school environment for various purposes.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Uses of Water at Home and School

Water is very important! We use water for many things every day.

Uses of Water at Home:

Drinking: We drink clean water to stay healthy.
Cooking: Mummy uses water to cook our food.
Bathing: We use water to bathe and keep our bodies clean.
Washing: We use water to wash our hands, clothes, and dishes.
Flushing the toilet: Water helps to keep the toilet clean.
Watering plants: Plants need water to grow.

Uses of Water at School:

Drinking: We drink water when we are thirsty.
Washing hands: We wash our hands with water and soap before eating and after using the toilet.
Flushing the toilet: Water helps keep the school toilets clean.
Mopping the floor: Cleaners use water to mop the classroom floor.
Watering plants: We water the flowers and plants in the school garden.

Key Words

Water – A clear liquid we drink and use for many things.
Drink – To swallow liquid.
Wash – To clean with water and soap.
Cook – To prepare food by heating it.
Bathe – To wash one’s body.

Our Water Song

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Water, water, clean and clear,
We use you every day, my dear.
To drink and wash and cook our food,
Water makes us feel so good.
Water, water, clean and clear,
We use you every day, my dear.

Actions:

“Water, water, clean and clear” – Wiggle fingers like falling rain.
“We use you every day, my dear” – Point to self.
“To drink” – Mime drinking from a cup.
“And wash” – Mime washing hands.
“And cook our food” – Mime stirring a pot.
“Water makes us feel so good” – Rub tummy and smile.

Watch and Learn About Water Uses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7z5z4gOa1s

💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary

How to teach the content: Introduce the topic by asking pupils what they know about water. Use the charts and pictures to illustrate each use of water, starting with home uses, then school uses. Keep explanations very simple and encourage pupils to repeat the uses after you. Emphasize the importance of clean water.

What to show or demonstrate: Show a cup of clean water and mime drinking. Demonstrate washing hands with soap and water in a bowl. Use a toy pot to mime cooking. Point to pictures of people bathing, washing clothes, flushing toilets, and watering plants. Allow pupils to touch the watering can.

How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Our Water Song” after discussing some uses of water. Sing it slowly first, demonstrating the actions. Repeat the song 2-3 times, encouraging pupils to join in with the words and actions. The repetition helps reinforce the key vocabulary and concepts.

How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see more uses of water. Play the video once for pupils to watch. After watching, pause and ask pupils to name some of the uses they saw in the video. Encourage them to point to things in the classroom or mime actions they remember from the video.

What to watch for: Observe if pupils can identify and name common uses of water, particularly for drinking and washing. Watch for their participation in miming actions and singing the song. Correct any misconceptions gently, e.g., if they confuse water with other liquids.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning
Demonstration
Guided Practice
Songs and Rhymes
Picture Talk
Question and Answer
Imitation
Manipulation of Objects
Repetition
Practical Activity

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and starts a simple chant about water, e.g., “Water, water, everywhere, we need water, yes we do!” The teacher then asks, “What is this?” while showing a cup of water, and “What do we use water for?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, join the chant, and offer simple answers like “drinking,” “washing.”

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and recall prior knowledge about water.

Step 2: Presentation of Water Uses at Home

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows charts/pictures of water being used at home (drinking, cooking, bathing, washing clothes/dishes, flushing toilet, watering plants). For each picture, the teacher gives a simple explanation and demonstrates with real objects or miming.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the pictures, listen to the explanations, and watch the demonstrations.

Learning Point: Pupils identify various uses of water at home.

Step 3: Guided Practice (Home Uses)

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Repetition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to name a use of water at home and then mime the action. For example, “What do we do with water when we are thirsty?” (Drink). “Show me how you drink water.” The teacher guides them to repeat the names of uses.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils name uses of water and mime the actions (e.g., drinking, stirring a pot, washing hands).

Learning Point: Pupils practice identifying and demonstrating uses of water at home.

Step 4: Presentation of Water Uses at School

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Picture Talk

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows charts/pictures of water being used at school (washing hands, flushing toilet, mopping, watering school plants). The teacher discusses how they use water in the classroom and school compound.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures and listen to the teacher’s explanations about water use at school.

Learning Point: Pupils identify various uses of water at school.

Step 5: Guided Practice (School Uses) and Rhyme

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Song Integration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to name uses of water at school and mime the actions (e.g., washing hands before eating). The teacher then introduces and leads the pupils in singing “Our Water Song” with actions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils name school uses of water, mime actions, and sing the “Our Water Song” with the teacher, performing the actions.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce learning through practical actions and a song.

Step 6: Video Reinforcement

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Visual Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces a short video showing different uses of water. After the video, the teacher asks pupils to mention one new use of water they saw or one they remember.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and then respond by naming uses of water they observed.

Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding of water uses through visual media.

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.

“Point to a picture where water is used for drinking.”
“What do you use water for when you want to clean your hands?”
“Name one thing Mummy uses water for at home.”
“Show me how you water a plant.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate (e.g., pointing, miming).

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarization

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the lesson by reminding pupils that water is very useful for keeping us clean, healthy, and for many activities at home and school. The teacher encourages them to always use water wisely.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and repeat “Water is useful!”

Learning Point: Pupils understand the overall importance of water.

Lesson Keywords

Water – A clear liquid we drink and use for many things.
Drink – To swallow liquid.
Wash – To clean with water and soap.
Cook – To prepare food by heating it.
Bathe – To wash one’s body.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who are struggling, focus on two main uses of water (e.g., drinking and washing hands). Use real objects and hand-over-hand guidance for miming actions. Provide extra repetition of key words.
Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to name more than three uses of water or to describe a simple situation where water is needed (e.g., “I need water to wash my dirty plate”). They can also help lead the actions during the song.