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

• Say our full name
• Show how old we are
• Name our feelings, like happy, sad, and angry
• Listen to our friends when they share
• Draw a picture of ourselves

Lesson summary

Overview This week’s topic, "All About Me," is the foundational step in a Grade R learner's journey of self-discovery and social integration. The focus is on building a positive self-concept by exploring personal identity through name, age, and feelings. In the diverse South African context, this lesson is crucial for fostering a sense of belonging and respect from the very beginning. By celebrating each child's unique name, be it isiXhosa, Afrikaans, or Sesotho, we instill pride and teach the value of diversity.

Lesson notes

My Name: My Special Word Your name is a very special word that belongs only to you. It's how your family, your friends, and your teacher talk to you. We all have a first name and many of us also have a surname, which is our family name. Why is it important? Our names are part of who we are. In South Africa, many names have beautiful meanings. For example, the name 'Lethabo' means 'joy' in Sesotho, and 'Amahle' means 'the beautiful ones' in isiZulu. When we say someone's name correctly, it shows we respect them. How do we use it? When you meet someone new, you can say, "Hello, my name is [Your Name]." Knowing your full name is also very important for your safety. If you ever get lost, you can tell a trusted adult your name to help them find your family.

Example: Teacher: "My name is Mrs. Khumalo. My first name is Thandi and my surname is Khumalo. Now, let's hear your special name!" Learner: "My name is Sipho." Teacher: "What a strong name, Sipho! And what is your family name, your surname?" Learner: "Nkosi." Teacher: "Wonderful! Sipho Nkosi. Everyone, let's say hello to our friend, Sipho Nkosi." My Age: How Many Birthdays? Your age tells us how many years you have been in the world. We celebrate our age every year on our birthday! Most children in Grade R are four, five, or six years old. Why is it important? Knowing your age helps you understand that you are growing bigger, stronger, and cleverer every year. It's a fun way to see how you are changing. How do we show it? We can say our age with a number word, like "five," and we can also show it with our fingers.

Example: Teacher: "Last year, Bongi was four years old. Then she had a birthday party with a big cake. Now, she is one year older. Bongi, how old are you now?" Bongi: "I am five!" Teacher: "Can you show us five fingers?

Let's all count them together: One, two, three, four, five! Bongi is five years old!" My Feelings: What's Happening Inside? Feelings are what you feel on the inside. Sometimes you feel happy, sometimes you feel sad, and sometimes you might feel angry. All your feelings are okay to have! Our faces can often show others how we are feeling.

Happy (isiZulu: -jabula / Afrikaans: gelukkig): You feel happy when something good happens, like when you get a hug from your Gogo or when you play with your favourite toy. Your mouth usually smiles, and your eyes might look bright.

Sad (isiZulu: -dangele / Afrikaans: hartseer): You might feel sad if you fall down and hurt your knee, or if a friend won't share a toy. Your mouth might turn down, and you might even cry. Crying is okay when you are sad.

Angry (isiZulu: -thukuthele / Afrikaans: kwaad): You can feel angry if someone breaks your drawing on purpose. Your eyebrows might go down, and you might frown. It’s important to remember that it's okay to feel angry, but it's not okay to hurt others.

Example: Teacher: (Shows a picture of a child smiling and receiving a gift) "Look at this picture. How do you think this child is feeling? Look at her big smile!" Learners: "Happy!" Teacher: "Yes! She feels happy. Now look at this picture." (Shows a picture of a child with a broken toy and a downturned mouth). "How does this child feel?" Learner: "Sad." Teacher: "Exactly. His toy is broken, so he feels sad. Showing our feelings on our face helps others understand how to help us." Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Activity: The Name Rhyme Task: The teacher starts a simple rhyme while clapping a beat. "My name is [Teacher's Name], that is my name. Now it's your turn to play the game!" The teacher then points to a learner to say their name. Worked Solution and

Commentary: Teacher: (Clapping) "My name is Mrs. Pule, that is my name. Now it's your turn to play the game!" (Points to a learner named Lerato).

Lerato: (Hesitantly) "Lerato." Teacher: "Wonderful! Let's all say it together with the beat." (Clapping) "Her name is Lerato, that is her name!"

Commentary: This activity is non-threatening and uses rhythm and repetition, which is excellent for Grade R learners. It reinforces names in a fun, group-oriented way, building confidence for shyer children. It also encourages active listening.

Activity: Feelings Mirror Task: Learners pair up and sit opposite each other. The teacher calls out a feeling. One learner has to make the face for that feeling, and their partner has to copy them, like looking in a mirror. Worked Solution and

Commentary: Teacher: "Okay everyone, find your partner. Now, the first feeling is... HAPPY! Show your partner your biggest, happiest smile!" (Learners make happy faces at each other).

Teacher: "Now, let's try... SA

D. Show a sad face. How does your mouth change?"

Commentary: This kinesthetic activity helps learners connect the word for a feeling with the physical expression. It's interactive and promotes social skills like taking turns and observation. It's a concrete way to explore abstract concepts.