Lesson Plan: Grade R Mathematics – Wild animals

Refined Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan Title:

Grade R Mathematics: Wild Animals and Counting

CAPS Alignment:

  • Topic: Counting and Number Recognition
  • Curriculum Area: Foundation Phase Mathematics
  • Grade: R

Materials Needed:

  • Picture book or charts with images of wild animals
  • Counting blocks or counters
  • Flashcards with numbers and animal pictures
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Audio-visual aids such as a projector or a tablet with videos of wild animals
  • Worksheets with animal counting exercises

Learning Objectives:

  1. Learners will be able to recognise and name different wild animals.
  2. Learners will practice counting from 1 to 10 using wild animals as visual aids.
  3. Learners will identify numbers associated with quantities of wild animals.
  4. Learners will understand basic one-to-one correspondence in counting.

Vocabulary:

  1. Lion – A large wild cat known as “the king of the jungle”.
  2. Elephant – The largest land animal with a trunk.
  3. Giraffe – The tallest animal with a long neck.
  4. Monkey – A playful animal that likes to swing on trees.
  5. Zebra – An animal with black and white stripes.

Previous Learning:

Learners have been introduced to basic counting and number recognition from 1 to 5 and have discussed domestic animals in previous lessons.

Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:

  1. Challenge: Learners may struggle with one-to-one correspondence when counting.
    • Solution: Use physical counters to pair with each animal image and demonstrate.
  2. Challenge: Difficulty in recognising some wild animals.
    • Solution: Show clear images and videos of the animals for better visual understanding.

Lesson Structure and Flow:

Beginning Activities (4 minutes):
1. Welcome the learners and introduce the topic “Wild Animals”.
2. Show a short video of wild animals to capture their interest.
3. Ask questions about animals seen in the video to activate prior knowledge.

Middle Activities (32 minutes):
* Direct Instruction (10 minutes):
1. Show pictures of wild animals and name them aloud, encouraging learners to repeat.
2. Write the names of the animals on the whiteboard.
3. Use flashcards to show numbers 1-10 and match them with pictures of animals.
4. Discuss the concept of counting, demonstrating with fingers and counting blocks.

  • Guided Practice (12 minutes):
    1. Distribute counting blocks or counters to each learner.
    2. Show a picture with a certain number of animals (e.g., four lions) and guide learners to count the corresponding number of blocks.
    3. Pair learners and give them a set of animal flashcards and number cards. Allow them to match the correct number with each animal card.
  • Independent Practice (10 minutes):
    1. Give each learner a worksheet with various animals and empty boxes next to them.
    2. Ask learners to count the animals and write the correct number in the boxes.
    3. Walk around the classroom providing assistance as needed and checking for understanding.

End Activities (4 minutes):
1. Gather learners back into a circle.
2. Conduct a quick review by showing animal pictures and asking learners to call out the number of animals.
3. Hand out a simple exit ticket: “Which animal did you like the most and how many did you count?”

Assessment and Checks for Understanding:

  • Observing learners during guided and independent practice.
  • Reviewing completed worksheets.
  • Oral response during review and exit ticket activity.

Differentiation Strategies:

  1. For struggling learners: Provide additional one-on-one support with counting blocks and simplified animal cards.
  2. For advanced learners: Introduce counting beyond 10 and more complex animal cards with different quantities.
  3. For learners with special needs: Use tactile animal figurines instead of pictures for a multisensory approach.

Teaching Notes:

  • Enunciate animal names clearly and engage learners through repetition.
  • Use a cheerful and energetic tone to maintain interest, especially during the direct instruction phase.
  • Ensure all visual aids are colourful and clear to attract and hold learners’ attention.
  • Incorporate indigenous knowledge by mentioning local wild animals like the African elephant and lion.

Cross-Curricular Integration:

  • Language: Practice describing animals (“The lion is big and strong”).
  • Life Skills: Discuss animals’ habitats and diets.

Inclusive Education Strategies:

  • Use a variety of visual, auditory, and tactile materials to cater to different learning styles.
  • Arrange seating for easy movement and interaction, considering learners with mobility challenges.
  • Provide clear instructions, repeat if necessary, and check understanding frequently.

Formative Assessment Ideas:

  • Thumbs up/down to check if learners recognize the animals.
  • Quick counting exercises using hand signs during guided practice.

Overall Enhancement:

  • Add playful animal sounds and movements to make the lesson more interactive.
  • Use “Teaching Tips” such as encouraging the learners to share personal stories about animals they have seen.

By following these refined steps, we can ensure that the lesson plan is well-aligned with CAPS standards and caters effectively to the educational needs and cultural context of South African learners.