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

• This week is dedicated to revising and consolidating the foundational concepts covered in the first three weeks of Grade R Life Skills. Revision is crucial for young learners as it helps to move information from short-term to long-term memory, building confidence and ensuring a solid base for future learning. The focus will be on the three core areas: 'Me', 'My Family and Home', and 'My School'. For South African Grade R learners, these topics are deeply personal and form the very fabric of their identity and sense of belonging. By revisiting these concepts, we reinforce their understanding of themselves, their immediate environment, and the social rules that help them navigate their world safely and respectfully, reflecting the spirit of Ubuntu.
• By the end of this week, learners will be able to:
• Identify and name at least five main body parts (e.g., head, eyes, nose, hands, legs).
• State their own first name and surname clearly.
• Identify and demonstrate two basic emotions (e.g., happy, sad) through facial expressions or actions.

Lesson summary

This week is dedicated to revising and consolidating the foundational concepts covered in the first three weeks of Grade R Life Skills. Revision is crucial for young learners as it helps to move information from short-term to long-term memory, building confidence and ensuring a solid base for future learning.

The focus will be on the three core areas: 'Me', 'My Family and Home', and 'My School'. For South African Grade R learners, these topics are deeply personal and form the very fabric of their identity and sense of belonging.

Lesson notes

This section revisits the core knowledge from the past weeks. The teacher should use a conversational and interactive tone, using songs, rhymes, and pictures to make the concepts accessible.

Concept 1: All About Me This theme focuses on the child's individual identity.

My Body: Our bodies are amazing! They help us to play, learn, and grow. It's important to know the names of our body parts so we can talk about them and keep them healthy.

Head: This is at the very top. It holds our brain, which helps us think.

Eyes: We have two eyes to see the beautiful world. We see colours, our friends, and our books.

Ears: We have two ears to hear sounds. We hear music, our teacher talking, and birds singing.

Nose: We use our nose to smell things, like yummy food from the kitchen or pretty flowers in the garden.

Mouth: We use our mouth to talk, sing, and eat our food.

Arms and Hands: We use our arms to reach and our hands to hold things, wave hello, and draw pictures.

Legs and Feet: We use our legs to walk, run, and jump. Our feet are at the bottom and help us stand strong.

Example (Sing-along): We will sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" and point to each body part as we sing its name. This helps connect the word to the physical part.

My Name and Surname: Everyone has a special name. Your name belongs to you. It's important to know your full name (your first name and your surname). This helps people know who you are. When we meet someone, we say, "Hello, my name is [child's name]." Knowing our surname is also important for safety.

Example: "My teacher's name is Mrs. Khumalo. My name is Sipho Zulu. Sipho is my first name, and Zulu is my surname. What is your full name?" My Feelings: We all have feelings, and all our feelings are okay. Feelings can change throughout the day.

Happy (Ukujabula): We feel happy when something good happens, like when we play with a friend or get a hug. Our mouth smiles, and our eyes look bright.

Sad (Ukudabuka): We feel sad when something makes us upset, like when we miss our mom or a toy breaks. We might cry, and our mouth might turn down.

Angry (Ukuthukuthela): We can feel angry when things don't go our way. Our face might feel hot, and we might frown. It's important to use our words, not our hands, when we are angry.

Example: The teacher shows flashcards with different facial expressions. "Look at this face. How is this child feeling? Yes, happy! When do you feel happy?" Concept 2: My Family and Home My Family (Umndeni wami): A family is a group of people who love and care for each other. Families can be big or small.

Some people in a family include: Mother (Mama/Umama): The person who gave birth to you or takes care of you.

Father (Tata/Ubaba): The person who helps take care of you. Sister (Usisi), Brother (Ubhuti): Children who share the same parents. Grandmother (Gogo/Ugogo), Grandfather (Mkhulu/Umkhulu): The parents of your mother or father.

Example: The teacher shows a picture of a diverse South African family, perhaps including a grandmother (Gogo). "This is Zola's family. Here is her Gogo, her Mama, and her brother. Who is in your family?" My Home (Ikhaya lami): A home is a safe place where we live with our family. Homes in South Africa look different. Some people live in a house, some in a flat (apartment), some in a rondavel, and some in a shack. All homes are special because they are where our family is.

Example: "I live in a house with a green roof. What does your home look like? What makes you feel safe and happy at home?" Concept 3: My School (Isikole sami)

People at School: School is a special place for learning and playing. We meet new people here.

Teacher (Uthisha): Helps us learn new things.

Friends (Abangane): We play with them and are kind to them.

Classroom Rules (Imithetho yasekilasini): We have rules to keep everyone safe and happy. Rules help us work and play together nicely.

Rule 1: We listen when someone is talking. Why? So we can hear important instructions and show respect.

Rule 2: We share our toys. Why? So everyone gets a turn to play and has fun.

Rule 3: We use kind hands and words. Why? We do not hit or hurt our friends. We want everyone to feel safe.

Rule 4: We help to pack away. Why? To keep our classroom clean and tidy so we can find our things easily.

Example: A puppet show where one puppet snatches a toy from another. The teacher asks, "Was that following our rules? No. What should the puppet have done? Yes, ask nicely!" Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question (My Body): Teacher stands in front of the class and says, "I am thinking of a body part we use to smell a flower." The teacher then pretends to sniff a flower. "Can you point to it on your own body?" Solution and

Commentary: The learner should point to their nose. The teacher affirms this by saying, "Excellent! That is your nose. We use our nose for smelling." Question (My Family): The teacher holds up a large sheet of paper with a simple drawing of a house.