Lesson Plan: Lesson 11 – Monkey: Grab and Gobble

Age Group: K1 and K2 (3 to 5 years old)
Class Size: 10 children
Duration: 60 minutes
Focus Area: Eye-targeted grab from a branch, clear peel sequence, controlled chewing, playful still finish

Learning Objectives:

• Children will be able to aim a grab with eyes fixed on the banana.

• Children will be able to mime peeling clearly before controlled chewing.

• Children will be able to finish with a playful but still statue.

Materials Needed:

• Floor markers for performance/freeze spots

• Visual aids: branch with hanging fruit, “eyes-to-target” cue, peel sequence (3 steps), chewing and tummy-satisfied cues

• Soft instrumental music for movement and freeze cues

• Light cones or cards to mark approach pathway and spot under “branch”

• Optional prop prompts (no real food needed): picture cards of branch/banana

• Chime or soft drum for start/stop

Procedures:

5 min Warm-up: Body + Breath

Purpose: To settle the group, awaken body awareness, and prepare breath for silent movement.

• Gentle stretches: reach up like climbing, roll shoulders, bend and straighten knees.

• Belly breathing: hands on belly; inhale through nose, exhale through mouth with a soft “hah.”

• Facial/jaw prep: scrunch-and-open face; slow “chew-chew” without sound; relax jaw. 

15 min Technique Focus 1: Precise Grab from Branch (Eye Target)

Purpose: To help children fix their gaze on the object and place a clean, believable grab.

• Set the picture: point to a “branch” spot above head height (wall marker or teacher’s indicated point).

• Eye focus first:

  • Show eyes lock on target; head follows eyes; body stays still for 1 count.

  • Safety cue: keep space, arms travel forward-up, not flung sideways.

• Hand path and shape:

  • Form a gentle “C” hand for grabbing.

  • Path: chest → forward → up to the target → close fingers → tiny squeeze.

• Build the micro-sequence (teacher models; children echo on counts):

1. Look at the target (eyes on).

2. Reach up along a straight path.

3. Close to grab (tiny squeeze).

4. Bring hand down to the body (keep hold).

• Accuracy game:

  • Place 2–3 small paper “bananas” at different heights.

  • Call a number; children track with eyes first, then reach and “grab” only when eyes are steady.

• Clarity checks:

  • No talking; show the story with face and body.

  • Still feet during the grab practice; add a small step only if needed for balance. 

15 min Technique Focus 2: Big Peel and Chew with Control

Purpose: To sequence the peel clearly and chew with steady pacing.

• - Show the peel sequence (three clean steps):

  •   1. Hold fruit at chest. Pinch the top.

  •   2. Pull one peel strip down smoothly (count 1–2).

  •   3. Repeat for a second strip (count 1–2). Optional third strip for older group.

• - Emphasize clarity:

  •   - Eyes watch the peel as it travels down.

  •   - Elbows stay soft; movements slow and visible.

• - Chew with control:

  •   - Small bite shape → close lips → chew 3 slow beats (chew-chew-chew).

  •   - Keep feet quiet; shoulders relaxed; friendly, satisfied face.

• - Combine and refine:

  •   - Grab → bring to chest → Peel 1 → Peel 2 → Small bite → Chew 3 beats → Swallow (tiny nod).

• - Safety and pacing:

  •   - No rushing; each action has a beginning–middle–end.

  •   - Quiet bodies; no real eating; mime only.

10 min Guided Application to Exam Task (Full Mime Sequence)

Purpose: To apply grab, peel, chew, and finish in a short, clear performance.

• - Model the full sequence with counts:

  •   1. Approach spot under branch; plant feet.

  •   2. Eyes on target-2 → Reach-2 → Grab-squeeze → Down to chest.

  •   3. Peel 1 (1–2) → Peel 2 (1–2).

  •   4. Small bite → Chew 1–2–3 → Swallow.

  •   5. Playful still finish statue: gentle smile, hand holding fruit at side, body tall and quiet for 2 counts.

• - Group practice:

  •   - Run in trios: one performer, two audience.

  •   - Use chime to cue transitions between steps; reinforce the freeze at the end.

10 min Performance + Feedback

Purpose: To build performance confidence and reinforce technique through observation and feedback.

• - Invite individual turns on the performance spot; one mover at a time.

• - Observe:

  •   - Eye-target accuracy before the reach.

  •   - Clear peel steps before chewing.

  •   - Controlled chew and calm swallow.

  •   - Playful but still finish statue for 2 counts.

• - Feedback phrases:

  •   - “Your eyes found the banana before your hand—great focus.”

  •   - “I could clearly see peel one, then peel two.”

  •   - “Your chew was slow and tidy—well controlled.”

  •   - “Lovely playful statue at the end—so still.”

• - Celebrate effort with a sticker or star tap.

5 min Calm Close

Purpose: To help children wind down and leave the session feeling calm and proud.

• - Gentle shoulder roll + arm float down; inhale through nose, soft “ah” out.

• - “Monkey rest”: sit tall, place hands on belly, breathe for three quiet cycles.

• - Thank children for their focus; preview the next class.

Extension Ideas:

• - Eye-target practice with varied heights and sides (left/right) to improve accuracy.

• - Peel-count game: teacher calls “Peel 1… Peel 2… Bite… Chew-2-3… Statue!”

• - Mirror pairs: one leads the peel and chew; partner mirrors slowly.