# Lesson Plan: Poems and Rhymes
## Topic: "Mary Mary Quite Contrary"
### Target Audience
- Toddlers (Ages 2-3 years)
### Duration
- 30 minutes
### Objectives
- To introduce toddlers to the classic nursery rhyme "Mary Mary Quite Contrary".
- To enhance listening and comprehension skills through repetition and actions.
- To encourage participation through singing, dancing, and craft activities.
### Materials Needed
- Picture cards illustrating the rhyme.
- Visual aids (flowers, silver bells, cockleshells).
- Craft supplies (colored paper, glue, crayons, cotton balls).
- Audio device for playing music (optional).
### Lesson Outline
#### 1. Warm-Up (5 minutes)
- **Greeting**: Welcome the students with a happy, energetic greeting.
- **Introduction**: Briefly introduce the topic and tell the students that they will be learning a fun rhyme about a girl named Mary.
- **Activity**: Play a short, engaging nursery rhyme or song to get the children in the mood for learning.
#### 2. Introduction to the Rhyme (10 minutes)
- **Recitation**: Slowly recite "Mary Mary Quite Contrary" with actions, showing picture cards that correspond with the lines of the rhyme.
- "Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With silver bells, and cockle shells, And pretty maids all in a row."
- **Explanation**: Briefly explain the key elements of the rhyme (e.g., garden, silver bells, cockle shells).
- **Repetition**: Recite the rhyme 2-3 times with the children, encouraging them to join in and mimic the actions.
#### 3. Interactive Activity (10 minutes)
- **Sing-Along**: Sing the rhyme together with a simple, catchy tune. Use an audio device if available to play background music.
- **Dance**: Add simple dance moves to the rhyme (e.g., pretending to plant flowers, ringing bells).
#### 4. Craft Activity (10 minutes)
- **Flower Garden Craft**:
- Give each child a piece of colored paper and some crayons.
- Help the children draw and color flowers.
- Provide them with small pieces of paper to represent silver bells and cockle shells, helping them glue these onto their "gardens".
- Use cotton balls to create “pretty maids” if desired.
- **Display**: Allow the children to show their creations to the group and say something about their garden.
#### 5. Wrap-Up and Review (5 minutes)
- **Recap**: Briefly go over the rhyme again, emphasizing the key elements.
- **Share**: Invite a couple of students to recite parts of the rhyme or talk about their crafts.
- **Goodbye Song**: End the session with a cheerful goodbye song to signal the end of the lesson.
### Assessment
- Observe the children's participation in reciting and singing the rhyme.
- Take note of their engagement and creativity during the craft activity.
- Offer positive reinforcement and encouragement throughout the lesson.
### Reflection
- Adjust the pace of the lesson based on the children’s responsiveness.
- Be flexible with the activities, allowing for more repetition or extended time on crafts if needed.
- Use this opportunity to gauge the children's interests and adapt future lessons accordingly.
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This lesson plan is designed to be engaging and interactive, tailored to the developmental stage of toddlers. The combination of verbal, visual, and kinesthetic activities aims to foster a fun, educational environment.