Revised Lesson Plan Title: Grade R Home Language – Exploring Friendship through “Will You Be My Mother, Baby Hippo?”
1. Materials Needed
- Book: “Will You Be My Mother, Baby Hippo?” by Guido van Genechten
- Visual aids: Pictures of animals (e.g., hippos, elephants) and various friendship scenarios
- Art supplies: Crayons, markers, A4 paper, stickers
- Interaction materials: Soft toys/puppets of the story characters
- Audio recorder: To record children’s thoughts and feelings (optional)
2. Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to:
– Identify the main characters and the central theme of friendship in the story.
– Express their understanding of friendship through art and discussion.
– Describe personal experiences of friendship and what it means to be a good friend.
– Use simple language structures to ask for and offer friendship.
3. Vocabulary
- Friendship
- Hippo
- Mother
- Play
- Care
- Help
- Together
- Animals
4. Previous Learning
Learners have previously discussed the concept of family and relationships. They have developed initial storytelling skills and can recognize key elements such as characters and settings.
5. Anticipated Challenges and Solutions
- Challenge: Some children may struggle to express their thoughts verbally.
Solution: Encourage the use of drawings as a means of expression, paired with verbal sharing in small groups. -
Challenge: Diverse language abilities may affect participation.
Solution: Use simple, repetitive phrases and encourage peer support during group discussions.
6. Beginning Activities (10% of time, ~5 minutes)
- Warm-up Activity: Gather students in a circle. Show them the book cover and ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think this story is about?” and “What does friendship mean to you?”
- Introduce the concept of friendship and invite learners to share personal examples.
7. Middle Activities (80% of time, ~40 minutes)
-
Read-Aloud (20 mins): Read “Will You Be My Mother, Baby Hippo?” using expressive voices for different characters. Pause at key illustrations to facilitate discussion.
-
Discussion (10 mins): Facilitate a discussion about the story. Ask questions like:
- “How did Baby Hippo find friends?”
- “What friendly actions did Baby Hippo take?”
- Friendship Role Play (20 mins): Using the soft toys/puppets, have students act out friendly scenarios they might encounter (e.g., sharing, helping one another), promoting turn-taking and collaboration.
-
Art Project – Friendship Cards (30 mins): Have learners draw pictures of their friends and write (or receive assistance to write) a sentence about why their friends are special. Allow time for decorating the cards with stickers and their drawings.
8. End Activities (10% of time, ~5 minutes)
- Closing Circle (10 mins): Invite students to share their friendship cards with the class, explaining their drawings and why their friends are special to them. Encourage positive feedback from peers.
9. Assessment and Checks for Understanding
- Observe learner participation during discussions and role plays.
- Assess the friendship cards for understanding of the friendship concept and creativity.
- Encourage verbal sharing to evaluate their ability to express thoughts and feelings.
10. Differentiation Strategies
- For advanced learners: Offer an option to dictate a short story about a friendship experience to a peer or teacher.
- For struggling learners: Provide templates for the friendship cards or one-on-one support during activities.
- Utilize visuals and gestures throughout to enhance comprehension for all learners.
11. Teaching Notes
- Create a positive atmosphere during discussions to encourage shy students to contribute.
- Use clear, simple language, and repeat key vocabulary to reinforce learning.
- Keep learners engaged by transitioning smoothly between activities; consider incorporating music or movement for breaks.
Conclusion
This lesson is structured to enhance understanding of friendship through storytelling, discussion, art, and interactive play, adhering to the CAPS curriculum objectives for Grade R Home Language. The focus on speaking, listening, and comprehension skills while valuing social-emotional learning aligns well with educational goals for young learners in South Africa.