### Lesson Plan: Poems and Rhymes - "Yankee Doodle"
**Grade Level**: Nursery 1 (Ages 3-4)
**Subject**: Language Arts
**Topic**: "Yankee Doodle"
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#### **Learning Objectives:**
1. **Listening and Comprehension**: Students will listen to and understand the rhyme "Yankee Doodle."
2. **Speaking and Singing**: Students will learn to sing "Yankee Doodle."
3. **Motor Skills**: Students will perform simple hand motions and movements associated with the rhyme.
4. **Creativity and Fun**: Students will participate in a simple craft activity related to the rhyme.
#### **Materials Needed:**
- Audio recording of "Yankee Doodle" (if available)
- Large chart paper with the lyrics of "Yankee Doodle"
- Craft materials: colored paper, crayons, glue, safety scissors, stickers, etc.
- Toy musical instruments (optional)
- A small American flag (optional)
#### **Time Allotted:**
1 hour
#### **Lesson Structure:**
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**1. Introduction (10 minutes):**
- **Greeting and Warm-Up**: Welcome the students and have a brief chat to get them settled.
- **Introduction to the Rhyme**:
- Show the chart paper with the lyrics.
- Say, "Today we're going to learn a fun rhyme called 'Yankee Doodle.' Does anyone know what a yankee is? Or what doodle might mean?" Allow children to share their thoughts.
**2. Listening and Repetition (15 minutes):**
- **Play the Audio (if available)**:
- Play "Yankee Doodle" for the students.
- If audio isn't available, the teacher can sing it or read the lyrics with a lively tone.
- **Repeat After Me**:
- Break the song into smaller parts and have the students repeat each line after you.
- Go through this a few times until they start to get familiar.
**3. Sing Along and Motion (15 minutes):**
- **Sing Together**:
- Sing "Yankee Doodle" together as a group.
- Use simple hand motions to go along with key parts of the song (e.g., mimicking riding a horse for "riding on a pony").
- **Incorporate Instruments** (optional):
- Provide toy musical instruments for the students to play along.
- Have the children practice their musical timing by playing their instruments at specific parts of the song.
**4. Craft Activity (15 minutes):**
- **Making a "Yankee Doodle" Hat**:
- Hand out craft materials.
- Show the students how to make a simple "feathered" hat by gluing a feather (made from colored paper) onto a paper strip.
- Allow the students to decorate their hats using crayons, stickers, etc.
**5. Review and Wrap-Up (5 minutes):**
- **Group Recap**:
- Gather students in a circle and briefly review what they learned today.
- Ask a few students to share their favorite part of the lesson.
- **Final Sing-Along**:
- Sing "Yankee Doodle" one last time as a group, proudly wearing their crafted hats.
- **Goodbye Song**:
- Sing a brief goodbye song to wrap up the session and transition smoothly.
---
#### **Assessment:**
- **Observation**: Monitor children's participation during the song and craft activities.
- **Engagement**: Note their enthusiasm and ability to follow along with the motions and lyrics.
- **Craft Completion**: Check that each child has completed their hat and is proud to wear it.
---
#### **Resources:**
- Printed lyrics of "Yankee Doodle": [Lyrics]
- YouTube or other trusted resources for nursery rhyme audio tracks
### Lyrics:
```
Yankee Doodle went to town,
A-riding on a pony,
Stuck a feather in his cap
And called it macaroni.
Yankee Doodle, keep it up,
Yankee Doodle dandy,
Mind the music and the step,
And with the girls be handy.
```
This lesson plan aims to engage young students through auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning activities, making the experience enjoyable and memorable.