Lesson Plan Title:
Grade R Life Skills Lesson Plan: Finding Out About One Wild Animal
Materials Needed:
– Picture cards of various wild animals
– Storybook about wild animals
– Colouring sheets/pictures of the chosen wild animal
– Crayons or colouring pencils
– Flashcards with animal names and pictures
– A5 paper for drawing
– Digital device with an internet connection for video
– Projector
Learning Objectives:
– Students will be able to identify one wild animal and describe its physical characteristics.
– Students will learn basic facts about the wild animal (habitat, diet, and behaviour).
– Students will develop fine motor skills through colouring and drawing activities.
– Students will be able to verbally share one fact they learned about the animal.
Vocabulary:
1. Animal – A living creature such as a lion, elephant, etc.
2. Habitat – The natural home of a wild animal.
3. Predator – An animal that hunts other animals for food.
4. Herbivore – An animal that only eats plants.
5. Carnivore – An animal that eats meat.
Previous Learning:
Students have previously learned the differences between domestic and wild animals, focusing on examples of each and some basic characteristics.
Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:
– Challenge: Some students might struggle with vocabulary.
– Solution: Use visual aids like flashcards with pictures and simple definitions.
– Challenge: Keeping young children focused.
– Solution: Incorporate a variety of activities (visual, auditory, and tactile).
– Challenge: Differing fine motor skills in colouring and drawing.
– Solution: Offer additional help and alternatives like pre-drawn pictures for tracing.
Beginning Activities (4 minutes):
1. Greet the students and gather them in a circle.
2. Briefly review domestic and wild animals learned previously.
3. Introduce the day’s topic: learning about one specific wild animal.
4. Show picture cards of different wild animals and ask if they can name the animals.
Middle Activities (32 minutes):
1. Introduction / Storybook Reading (10 minutes):
– Read a storybook about wild animals, focusing on one animal (e.g., the lion).
– After the story, discuss the animal’s habitat, diet, and physical characteristics using picture cards.
- Video Clip (5 minutes):
- Show a short video clip about the chosen wild animal (e.g., “A Day in the Life of a Lion”).
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Ask students to observe carefully and be prepared to share something they learned.
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Guided Practice (5 minutes):
- Discuss the video, prompting students to share their observations.
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Use flashcards to reinforce vocabulary and key facts about the wild animal.
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Colouring Activity (12 minutes):
- Hand out colouring sheets/pictures of the chosen wild animal.
- As students colour, circulate to discuss the animal further and assist with any questions.
End Activities (4 minutes):
1. Drawing Activity:
– Ask students to draw the chosen wild animal on an A5 paper and add one characteristic they remember (e.g., “The lion has a mane”).
- Exit Ticket:
- Have each student share one fact they learned about the animal with the class.
Assessment and Checks for Understanding:
– Observation during storybook reading and video watching.
– Guided discussion on the animal’s characteristics and habitat.
– Participation and accuracy in the colouring activity.
– Student sharing during the drawing activity and exit ticket.
Differentiation Strategies for Diverse Learners:
– Provide additional picture cards with simple descriptions for students needing more visual aids.
– Pair students for the drawing activity, allowing peers to support each other.
– For advanced learners, provide a more detailed drawing sheet or additional facts about the animal for them to share with the class.
Teaching Notes:
– Ensure an inclusive environment by being mindful of students with disabilities. For instance, provide larger colouring sheets or adapted crayons for those with fine motor difficulties.
– Engage students throughout the lesson with enthusiasm and show genuine interest in their input.
– Encourage students to use complete sentences when sharing facts to promote language development.
This lesson is designed to be engaging and informative, making learning enjoyable for Grade R students while aligning with the CAPS curriculum’s life skills objectives.