**Lesson Plan: Itsy Bitsy Spider**
**Age Group:** Toddlers (2-3 years old)
**Duration:** 30-40 minutes
**Objective:**
- To introduce toddlers to poetry and rhymes through the song "Itsy Bitsy Spider."
- To develop motor skills, memory, and language ability.
- To encourage participation and interaction.
**Materials Needed:**
- Visual aids (picture cards or a storybook of "Itsy Bitsy Spider")
- Finger puppets or simple spider craft
- Props (a small water spout made of cardboard or plastic, water spray bottle)
- Musical instrument (optional, like a tambourine or small drum)
- Craft supplies (paper, glue, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, crayons/markers)
**Introduction (5 minutes):**
1. **Greeting:** Start by welcoming the toddlers warmly and have them sit in a circle to create a sense of community.
2. **Introduction to the Topic:** Show a picture of the spider and ask if anyone knows a rhyme or song about spiders, which should help lead into the introduction of "Itsy Bitsy Spider."
**Main Activity (15 minutes):**
3. **Teaching the Rhyme:**
- **First Recitation:** Sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" once to the toddlers. Use clear pronunciation and an engaging tone.
- **Actions and Gestures:** Break down the song into individual lines and teach the matching hand gestures (e.g., climbing fingers for the spider, water motions for the rain, sun coming up).
- **Group Recitation:** Encourage the children to sing along and do the gestures together.
4. **Storytime/Lecture:**
- **Visual Storytelling:** Use picture cards or a storybook to narrate the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" tale. Pause to ask questions about the story and encourage responses.
- **Interaction:** Use finger puppets to act out the story again, ask the toddlers to join in with their own hand motions.
**Hands-On Activity (10 minutes):**
5. **Craft Activity:**
- **Preparing the Craft:** Hand out paper, crayons/markers, and pre-cut pieces for spiders. Guide the toddlers to glue googly eyes on their spiders and attach pipe cleaner legs.
- **Prop Use:** Show them how their spider can climb (use the props or just on their hands).
**Physical Activity (5 minutes):**
6. **Dramatic Play:**
- Encourage the toddlers to pretend they are spiders. They can crawl around the room acting out the song. Sprinkle a fine mist of water (optional) to mimic the rain part of the song playfully.
**Conclusion (5 minutes):**
7. **Review:**
- Recap the rhyme with the toddlers one more time, highlighting the key phrases and gestures.
- Praise all the children for their participation and creativity.
8. **Closing Activity:**
- Play a calming, related song or lullaby.
- Invite the toddlers to place their spider crafts on a designated display area.
**Optional Extension Activities:**
- **Music and Movement:** Introduce other similar rhymes like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”
- **Home Connection:** Send a printout of the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" song lyrics and gestures home with the toddlers for practice with their parents.
**Assessment:**
- Observe and note the levels of participation and engagement.
- Look for understanding and memory recall of the song and gestures.
- Check for improving motor skills through the craft and hand motions activities.