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      Nursery rhymes performance

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can perform a nursery rhyme I have learnt as part of a group.

      Key learning points

      1. Knowing the tune, words, rhythm and actions of a nursery rhyme makes it entertaining for the audience.
      2. Nursery rhymes follow either a rhythm or tune to keep to or in some nursery rhymes, both.
      3. Some nursery rhymes can be preferred by others compared to other nursery rhymes.
      4. Commenting on performances by highlighting what went well supports others to improve their performance.
      5. Your personal response can be explained by using because.

      Keywords

      • Opinion - a personal view about something

      • Performance - refers to the act of presenting or reciting a poem in front of an audience, utilising vocal delivery, gestures, and expressions to enhance the impact of the poem.

      • Expression - reading with feelings and emotion to bring the story to life

      • Volume - the loudness or softness of the voice when speaking or reading a poem, allowing for variations in intensity and expression

      Common misconception

      Pupils may struggle to give a reason for their opinion.

      Model lots of examples using 'because' to expand upon their choice. Call on confident pupils to share their reasons for their opinions and give lots of praise for using 'because' in a sentence.

      Teacher tip

      The performances could be worked on and performed as a small group, in pairs or on their own. Decide what would work best for your class. Filming the performances helps pupils to reflect back. Inviting other year groups or classes to watch also makes it more significant for them.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What do most nursery rhymes have?

      many pages
      Correct answer: repeated words
      heroes and villains
      Correct answer: rhyming words

      Q2.
      Match the rhyming words.

      Correct Answer:pot,hot

      hot

      Correct Answer:star,car

      car

      Correct Answer:away,day

      day

      Correct Answer:twirl,curl

      curl

      Q3.
      Which of these are nursery rhymes?

      Correct answer: Little Bo Peep
      Cinderella
      Correct answer: Hickory Dickory Dock
      The Three Billy Goats Gruff

      Q4.
      What is a performance?

      Correct answer: a show
      a test
      a book

      Q5.
      Nursery rhymes and fairy tales are similar because ...

      they are both sung to tunes.
      they always have magic in them.
      Correct answer: they both have titles.
      Correct answer: they are both fiction.

      Q6.
      What is the same about 'Hickory Dickory Dock' and '5 Little Ducks'?

      They are both set inside.
      Correct answer: They have more than one verse.
      They are both about missing ducks.
      Correct answer: They include counting.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Select the words from ‘Little Bo Peep’ that rhyme with each other.

      alone
      Correct answer: Peep
      dock
      lost
      Correct answer: sheep

      Q2.
      What does the mouse in 'Hickory Dickory Dock' run up?

      table
      house
      Correct answer: clock
      desk

      Q3.
      Put the events from 'Five Little Ducks' in the correct order.

      1 - Five little ducks went swimming one day.
      2 - Mummy Duck said, "quack quack quack quack".
      3 - Only four little ducks came back.

      Q4.
      Identify the line from 'The Magic Porridge Pot' that has repeated words.

      Correct answer: 'Bubble, bubble, bubble'
      'Porridge in the pot.'
      'Stir it piping hot.'

      Q5.
      Which of these can we add expression to?

      hands
      Correct answer: voice
      Correct answer: face
      feet

      Q6.
      What does it mean to give an opinion?

      telling a story
      doing a performance
      Correct answer: sharing your thoughts and feelings
      counting numbers

      To help you plan your 1 English lesson on: Nursery rhymes performance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...