Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade R

Lesson Video

This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.

For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.

Performance objectives

• Name feelings like happy, sad, angry, and scared.
• Understand what makes a good friend.
• Learn to solve problems with kind words.
• Practise sharing and taking turns.

Lesson summary

This lesson focuses on developing foundational social and emotional skills in young learners, which is a cornerstone of the CAPS Life Skills curriculum for Grade R. The topic, 'Feelings and Friendships', is critical for helping children navigate their social world within the classroom and beyond. In a diverse country like South Africa, with many cultures and home languages, the classroom is often the first place children learn to interact with peers from different backgrounds. Understanding their own feelings, recognising feelings in others, and learning positive ways to interact and solve simple conflicts are essential life skills.

Lesson notes

This section provides the core knowledge for the teacher to facilitate learning. It should be delivered through storytelling, songs, pictures, and play-based activities.

Concept 1: Our Feelings (Imizwa Yethu) Feelings are what we feel inside our bodies and hearts. Everyone has feelings, and all feelings are okay. It's what we do with our feelings that matters.

Happy (Ukujabula): This is the feeling you get when something good happens. Your mouth might smile, your eyes might sparkle, and you might want to laugh or jump!

Example: "Thabo feels happy when his Gogo reads him a story. He has a big smile on his face."* Why? Because spending time with family and hearing stories is a wonderful thing.

Sad (Ukudabuka): This is the feeling you get when something makes you unhappy. You might cry, your mouth might turn down, and you might want a hug.

Example: "Lindiwe feels sad because her favourite red crayon broke. She is crying a little bit."* Why? Because she liked that crayon and now it's broken. It's okay to feel sad when we lose something we like.

Angry (Ukuthukuthela): This is a strong, hot feeling you get when you think something is unfair or someone has been unkind. Your face might feel tight, you might want to frown, and your hands might make fists. It is okay to feel angry, but it is not okay to hit, kick, or use mean words.

Example: "Sipho feels angry because another child pushed him on the playground. He is frowning and his arms are crossed."* How can he handle this? He can use his big voice and say, "Stop! I don't like that." Then he should tell the teacher.

Scared (Ukwesaba): This is the feeling you get when you think you are in danger. Your eyes might get wide, your heart might beat fast, and you might want to hide.

Example: "Amahle feels scared because of the loud thunder outside. She is hiding behind the curtain."* Why? Loud, unknown noises can be scary. A teacher or parent can give her a hug and tell her she is safe.

Concept 2: Being a Good Friend (Ukuba Umngane Omuhle) A friend is someone you like to play with and talk to. Friends care about each other. To have friends, we must be a good friend.

How to be a good friend: Sharing (Ukwabelana): Good friends share their toys and crayons. If you have three blocks, you can give one to your friend.

Taking Turns (Ukushintshana): When two friends want to use the swing, they can take turns. One friend can count to 20 while the other swings, and then they swap. Using Kind Words (Ukusebenzisa Amagama Anomusa): Good friends say "please," "thank you," and "I'm sorry." They give compliments like, "I like your drawing." Helping (Ukusiza): If a friend falls down, a good friend helps them up and asks, "Are you okay?" Listening (Ukulalela): When a friend is talking, we look at them and listen to their words.

Concept 3: Solving Problems with Words When we feel angry or sad with a friend, we should use our words, not our hands or feet.

The Method: Use your 'I' message.

Say how you feel: "I feel... (sad/angry)" Say why: "...because you took my toy." Say what you want: "Please can I have it back?"

Example: Busi takes the ball from Themba. Instead of pushing Busi, Themba can go to her and say, "I feel sad because you took the ball I was playing with. Please can we take turns?"* This is a powerful way to solve the problem without fighting. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Activity 1: Feeling Faces Charades Question: The teacher will hold up a 'feeling face' card (e.g., a happy face). "What feeling is this? Show me this feeling on your own face. When do you feel this way?" Worked Solution &

Commentary: The teacher shows a picture of a smiling face. She asks, "What feeling is this?" Learners should respond, "Happy!" The teacher says, "Yes! Ukujabula! Now, can everyone show me their happiest face?" The teacher models a big smile. The teacher then asks, "Tell me, what makes you feel happy?" and invites responses. A learner might say, "When my mommy fetches me from school." The teacher validates this: "Yes, seeing your mommy at the end of the day is a very happy feeling!"

Commentary: This activity directly links the name of the feeling to its physical expression and a personal experience, making the abstract concept concrete for a Grade R learner.

Activity 2: Friendship Role-Play Scenario Question: "Let's pretend. Naledi is building a tall tower with blocks. Zola wants to play too and knocks it over by accident. Naledi starts to cry. What feeling is Naledi showing? What can Zola do or say to be a good friend now?" Worked Solution &

Commentary: The teacher helps learners identify Naledi's feeling: "Naledi is crying, so she is feeling... sad." The teacher guides them on what a good friend does: "What is a kind thing for Zola to say?" Learners might suggest, "Sorry." The teacher elaborates: "Yes! Zola can say, 'I'm sorry, Naledi. I didn't mean to.' What else can Zola do?" Learners might suggest helping.

The teacher confirms: "That's a wonderful idea!