Lesson Plan Title: Grade R Home Language – Exploring the Five Senses
1. Lesson Plan Title:
Grade R Home Language – Exploring the Five Senses
2. Materials Needed:
- Items for sensory exploration (e.g., fruits, fabric swatches, scented items, sound makers)
- Picture cards representing the five senses
- Chart paper and markers
- Storybook related to the five senses (e.g., “My Five Senses” by Aliki)
- Worksheets (optional)
3. Learning Objectives:
- Identify the five senses and associate each with their relevant body part.
- Use vocabulary related to the senses in context.
- Develop observation and descriptive skills.
4. Vocabulary:
- Sight
- Hearing
- Smell
- Taste
- Touch
- Eyes, Ears, Nose, Tongue, Skin
5. Previous Learning:
- Recognition of basic body parts
- Ability to listen to and repeat familiar words
6. Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:
- Challenge: Some learners might struggle with associating senses with the correct body parts.
- Solution: Use repeated visual aids and hands-on activities to reinforce the associations.
- Challenge: Limited sensory experiences for some learners.
- Solution: Provide a variety of accessible items to ensure inclusivity.
7. Beginning Activities (10% of time):
1. Greeting and Introduction (5 mins):
– Welcome the students and gather them in a circle.
– Briefly discuss what senses are and why they are important.
2. Interactive Song (5 mins):
– Sing a simple song about the five senses to introduce the topic in an engaging manner.
– Use actions to represent each sense (e.g., pointing to eyes, ears, nose, etc.).
8. Middle Activities (80% of time):
1. Story Time (10 mins):
– Read a storybook that incorporates the five senses (e.g., “My Five Senses” by Aliki).
– Pause to ask questions and discuss the senses mentioned in the book.
2. Sensory Stations (40 mins):
– Set up five stations, each dedicated to one of the senses:
1. Sight Station: Various pictures and objects to observe and describe.
2. Hearing Station: Different sound-making objects (e.g., bells, shakers).
3. Smell Station: Items with distinct scents (e.g., flowers, spices).
4. Taste Station: Safe-to-eat samples (e.g., pieces of fruit).
5. Touch Station: Various textured materials (e.g., soft fabric, sandpaper).
– Rotate groups of students through each station, allowing time to explore and discuss their observations.
3. Group Discussion (10 mins):
– Gather students to share what they experienced at each station.
– Use chart paper to list adjectives and vocabulary words as students describe their observations.
9. End Activities (10% of time):
1. Review and Recap (5 mins):
– Review the five senses and their associated body parts using picture cards.
2. Closing Song (5 mins):
– Sing a closing song that reiterates the five senses, reinforcing the day’s learning.
10. Assessment and Checks for Understanding:
- Observation: Monitor participation during sensory stations and group discussions.
- Q&A: Ask individual students to name the senses and the body parts that correspond.
- Worksheet (optional): A simple matching worksheet where students draw lines connecting senses with body parts.
11. Differentiation Strategies:
- For Advanced Learners: Introduce more complex vocabulary and encourage detailed descriptions during sensory exploration.
- For Struggling Learners: Provide additional guided support and use more visual and tactile aids to reinforce learning.
- For EAL Learners: Use picture cards with both images and words to support understanding and encourage use of both the home language and English terms.
12. Teaching Notes:
- Ensure all materials for sensory exploration are safe and allergen-free for the students.
- Adapt stations based on available resources and the classroom environment.
- Be prepared to extend or shorten activities based on students’ engagement levels.
- Use positive reinforcement to encourage participation and make the lesson enjoyable and memorable.
13. Cross-curricular Links:
- Life Skills: Observation and descriptive skills contribute to overall cognitive development.
- Natural Sciences: Understanding of sensory exploration can be linked to basic principles of biology.
14. Indigenous Knowledge Integration:
- Include examples of traditional foods, fabrics, and sensory items from various South African cultures at the sensory stations.
- Discuss how different communities make use of their senses in traditional activities.
15. Practical Considerations:
- Ensure proper supervision at each sensory station to guarantee safety and facilitate learning.
- Organize group rotations efficiently to maximize active participation and hands-on learning.
This lesson plan aligns with the CAPS curriculum for Grade R Home Language by incorporating interactive and multi-sensory activities that promote language development as well as cognitive and sensory skills. The adjustments ensure an engaging and inclusive learning experience that respects South Africa’s diverse cultural context.