Firefighters

Age: 2 years old

Class Size: 15 children

Classes: 4 classes in the whole course

Class Duration: 1 hour

Preparation:

1. Prepare the story "Charlie the Firefighter" with illustrations for visual support.

2. Create flashcards with firefighter vocabulary, including items and equipment (fire, ladder, boots, helmet, hose).

Part 1: Story Introduction and Vocabulary Activity

"Charlie the Firefighter" Story Introduction

Target Vocabulary:

• fire

• ladder

• boots

• helmet

• hose

Target Instructions:

• "He is a firefighter."

• "He has a [object]." (e.g., He has a helmet.)

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Identify key firefighter vocabulary words.

2. Use the phrase "He is a firefighter" to identify the character.

3. Respond to the prompt "He has a [object]" by pointing to illustrations or flashcards.

4. Engage with the story of "Charlie the Firefighter" through listening and participation.

Materials List:

• "Charlie the Firefighter" storybook or illustrated printouts

• Firefighter vocabulary flashcards

Class Details:

1. Warm-Up (5 mins): Sing a simplified firefighter song (e.g., to the tune of "London Bridge"): "Fire engines are rushing fast, rushing fast, rushing fast... Nee-naw, nee-naw!" Use driving gestures to represent the fire truck.

2. Story Introduction (5 mins): Show the children the "Charlie the Firefighter" book. Introduce Charlie by pointing and saying, "He is a firefighter." Ask simple questions like, "What color is his hat?" to engage them.

3. Memory Switch Game (10 mins): Lay out the vocabulary cards face down. Children take turns flipping two cards. When a child finds a match, they must use the sentence: "He has a [matched item]." (e.g., "He has a ladder.")

4. Interactive Reading (15 mins): Read "Charlie the Firefighter," pausing to point out equipment elements. Encourage children to point and repeat names using the target sentence structure: "He has a hose."

Assessment:

• Observe the children's ability to match and remember vocabulary words during the Memory Switch Game.

• Listen for correct usage of the target sentence structures: "He is a firefighter" and "He has a [object]."

• Gauge participation and enthusiasm in the physical gestures during circle time.

Remarks & Reminders for Teachers:

• Encourage quiet children to participate but avoid putting them on the spot.

• Offer plenty of positive reinforcement to support language acquisition and boost confidence.

• Use expressive gestures and tone of voice (like making a crackling sound for "fire") to maintain engagement.

Part 2: Art and Craft Activity

Making a "Paper Plate Fire Truck"

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

1. Follow simple instructions to create a paper plate fire truck craft.

2. Develop fine motor skills through coloring/painting, gluing, and assembling shapes.

3. Use target vocabulary words in context while describing their artwork.

Materials List:

• Paper plates (pre-cut in half, one half per child)

• Red crayon, markers, or crayons

• Pre-cut construction paper shapes:

  • Black circles (for wheels, 2 per child)

  • Blue squares/trapezoids (for windows, 1 per child)

  • Yellow squares/rectangles (for siren lights, 1 per child)

  • Black paper strips (2 long and 4 short for assembling the ladder, 1 set per child)

  • Glue sticks

Class Details:

1. Introduction (5 mins): Show the completed Paper Plate Fire Truck sample. Point to the vehicle and say, "He is a firefighter. He drives a red truck!" Point to the features and practice, "He has a ladder."

2. Creating the Truck Body (10 mins): Hand out the half-plates. Guide children to color their half-plate entirely red. Encourage them to say, "Red truck!" as they work.

3. Decorating and Assembly (10 mins): Help children apply glue to attach the pre-cut pieces onto the red plate. Guide them step-by-step: stick the blue window on top, the yellow siren on the roof, the two black wheels at the flat bottom, and the black ladder on top.

4. Story Integration (5 mins): Once the crafts are dry, have the children hold their fire trucks and zoom them across the tables while chanting, "He has a ladder! He has a siren!"

5. Clean-Up (5 mins): Assist children with collecting paper scraps, putting caps back onto glue sticks, and washing hands if paint was used.

Assessment:

• Observe if children can correctly identify components on their craft using the target structure (e.g., pointing to the ladder and saying, "He has a ladder").

• Assess fine motor coordination during the gluing and positioning of the shapes.

• Evaluate engagement and task completion.

Notes for Teachers:

• Pre-cutting is mandatory: All geometric shapes (wheels, windows, sirens, ladders) must be fully cut out by the teacher before the lesson begins so toddlers can focus strictly on colouring and pasting.

• Keep instructions rhythmic and action-oriented: "Colour it red. Glue the wheels. Stick the ladder. Pat, pat, pat."

Follow-Up:

• Display the "Paper Plate Fire Trucks" on the classroom wall to form a big fire station line-up.

• Encourage parents to review the vocabulary at home by pointing to the craft pieces and asking, "What does the firefighter have?" turn by turn.

Reference image for art and craft: