### Lesson Plan: “Ride a Cock-Horse” Poem and Rhymes for Nursery 1
#### Lesson Title: Ride a Cock-Horse
#### Duration: 30-40 minutes
#### Age Group: Nursery 1 (Ages 3-4)
---
**Objective:**
- To introduce students to the poem "Ride a Cock-Horse".
- To engage students in singing and recitation.
- To develop their listening and memory skills through repetition.
- To encourage creative movement and play.
**Materials Needed:**
- Large chart paper or a whiteboard with the poem written on it.
- Visual aids (illustrations related to the poem).
- Simple musical instruments (e.g., tambourine, maracas).
- Hobby horses or stick horses (optional, can be made from broomsticks and stockings).
- Soundtrack or recording of the tune (optional).
---
**Introduction (5 minutes):**
1. **Greeting:**
- Begin with a cheerful greeting and a warm-up song to get the children excited and comfortable.
2. **Introduction to the Poem:**
- Introduce the title of the poem “Ride a Cock-Horse”.
- Show the visual aids (pictures of horses, king, queen, etc.).
---
**Activity 1: Learning the Poem (10 minutes):**
1. **First Reading:**
- Read the poem out loud slowly and clearly:
```
Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross
To see a fine lady upon a white horse.
Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,
She shall have music wherever she goes.
```
2. **Engage with Visuals:**
- Point to the visuals corresponding to the lines of the poem.
3. **Group Recitation:**
- Encourage the children to recite along with you, one line at a time.
- Use actions to match the words (e.g., pretend to ride a horse, show rings on fingers, etc.).
---
**Activity 2: Musical Interaction (10 minutes):**
1. **Recitation with Instruments:**
- Hand out simple musical instruments to the children.
- Recite the poem again and let the children play their instruments when they hear certain words (e.g., “bells,” “music”).
2. **Movement Activity:**
- If available, distribute hobby horses/stick horses.
- Lead the children in miming the poem's actions with the hobby horses.
- March around the room while reciting the poem and making playful movements.
---
**Activity 3: Creative Movement and Play (10 minutes):**
1. **Free Play with Props:**
- Allow the children to freely explore movement using the hobby horses.
- Play a recorded version of "Ride a Cock-Horse" song or simply sing it together while they play.
---
**Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes):**
1. **Cool-Down:**
- Gather the children back into a seated circle.
- Recite the poem once more as a group.
2. **Discussion:**
- Ask simple questions about the poem to check comprehension:
- "What did the fine lady have on her fingers?"
- "What color was the horse the lady was on?"
3. **Closing:**
- Praise the children for their participation.
- Sing a goodbye song to conclude the lesson.
---
**Assessment:**
- Observe the children’s ability to recite and follow along with the poem.
- Note their engagement during musical and movement activities.
- Check for their understanding of basic vocabulary and concepts from the poem.
**Follow-Up Activity:**
- Draw a picture of a horse or the fine lady and color them.
- Share their drawings during the next class to create a thematic connection.
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This lesson plan aims to blend auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning styles to help young students enjoy and understand the poem "Ride a Cock-Horse."