**Lesson Plan: Poems and Rhymes for Toddlers**
**Topic: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Once I Caught a Fish Alive"**
**Objective:**
- To introduce toddlers to basic counting and rhyming through an engaging and interactive poem.
- To enhance memory and recall abilities.
- To develop fine motor skills through related activities.
**Materials:**
- Visuals of fish (felt board or flashcards)
- Finger puppets (optional)
- Coloring sheets of fish and numbers
- Safe play fishing rods with pretend fish (magnetic or Velcro)
- Fish-shaped stickers
- A small tub or basin
**Duration:**
- 30-45 minutes
**Activities:**
**1. Warm-Up (5-10 minutes)**
**Greeting and Circle Time:**
- Welcome the children and have them sit in a circle.
- Sing a welcome song to get them in the mood for the day's activities.
- Briefly explain that they'll be learning a fun poem about catching a fish.
**2. Introduction to the Poem (5-10 minutes)**
- Recite the poem "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Once I Caught a Fish Alive" line by line.
- Encourage the children to repeat each line after you.
- Use finger puppets or visuals to illustrate the poem as you go along.
**Poem Lyrics:**
```
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
Once I caught a fish alive,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
Then I let it go again.
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on my right.
```
**3. Interactive Activity (10-15 minutes)**
**Fishing Game:**
- Set up a small tub or basin with pretend fish.
- Give each child a play fishing rod.
- Encourage the children to catch the fish one by one and count aloud together as they catch each fish (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
- After catching "fish," have them pretend to let them go, just like the poem.
**4. Fine Motor Skills Activity (5-10 minutes)**
**Coloring and Sticker Activity:**
- Hand out coloring sheets with fish and numbers.
- Allow the children to color the fish and stick fish-shaped stickers on the corresponding numbers.
**5. Closing (5 minutes)**
**Recap and Goodbye Song:**
- Recite the poem together one last time for reinforcement.
- Ask simple questions about the poem (e.g., "Which finger did the fish bite?").
- Sing a goodbye song and encourage children to wave goodbye.
**Assessment:**
- Observe children's participation during the activities.
- Note their ability to recite and remember parts of the poem.
- Assess their counting and fine motor skills during the fishing and coloring activities.
**Home Connection:**
- Send home a copy of the poem with fish-themed coloring sheets for additional practice.
- Encourage parents to recite the poem with their child at home.
**Notes:**
- Ensure all materials are age-appropriate and safe.
- Be flexible and adjust the plan according to the group's needs and dynamics.