Lesson Plan: Lesson 2 – Song Class: Baa Baa Black Sheep

Age Group: K1 and K2 (3 to 5 years old)
Class Size: 10 children
Duration: 60 minutes
Focus Area: Phrase breathing, line endings, and expressive emphasis in singing

Learning Objectives:

• Children will be able to breathe at phrase points and finish lines cleanly.

• Children will be able to highlight key words with gentle emphasis and friendly face.

• Children will be able to perform the song from memory with a poised bow.

Materials Needed:

• Printed lyrics of Baa Baa Black Sheep

• Printed Visual aids for the song Baa Baa Black Sheep

• Audio playback device (Suggested version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRHvTTOR8Ns)

• Visual aids for phrase breathing (e.g., breath bubbles, line breaks)

• Floor markers for performance spots

Procedures:

5 min Warm-up: Body + Breath

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

• Lead gentle stretches: reach arms up, roll shoulders, shake out limbs. Use imagery like “stretch like a rainbow” or “shake off the sleep.”

• Guide belly breathing: place hands on belly, breathe in slowly through nose, exhale gently through mouth.

• Invite children to make soft sighs or hums to connect breath with vocal tone.

15 min Technique Focus 1: Phrase Breathing and Line Endings

Purpose: To teach children where to breathe and how to finish lines clearly.

• Introduce the song Baa Baa Black Sheep and play the suggested version once for listening.

• Demonstrate singing the first two lines with clear breath at phrase points and clean line endings.

• Use visual aids to show where breath should happen (e.g., after “wool?” and “full.”).

• Invite children to echo each line with guided breathing and finish each phrase without trailing off.

• Reinforce posture and breath control: stand tall, breathe low, finish lines with still feet.

15 min Technique Focus 2: Expressive Emphasis on Meaning Words

Purpose: To help children highlight key words with gentle vocal emphasis and friendly expression.

• Identify meaning words in the song: “three bags full,” “yes sir,” “master,” “dame,” “little boy.”

• Demonstrate singing these words with slightly stronger voice and smiling face.

• Invite children to practice singing short phrases with emphasis on key words.

• Use mirror or peer feedback to help children notice their facial expressions.

• Reinforce friendly tone and gentle emphasis—not shouting or exaggeration.

10 min Guided Application to Exam Task (Full Song Practice)

Purpose: To apply breathing and emphasis techniques to the full song.

• Break the song into two halves and model each with correct breathing and emphasis.

• Invite children to sing each half in small groups, focusing on breath, line endings, and meaning words.

• Guide children to stand on performance spots and maintain posture throughout.

• Reinforce memory by gradually removing lyric prompts.

10 min Performance + Feedback

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

• Invite children to perform the full song from memory, one group at a time.

• Observe posture, breathing, emphasis, and facial expression.

• Offer specific feedback: “I saw your smile on ‘yes sir’—great expression!” or “Lovely breath before ‘three bags full.’”

• Invite children to finish with a poised bow: feet together, head nod, smile.

5 min Calm Close

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

• Lead a gentle humming exercise using the melody of Baa Baa Black Sheep.

• Invite children to sit or lie down and listen to soft instrumental music.

• Thank children for their effort and preview the next lesson: “Next time, we’ll use our voices to tell a story with sound and movement.”

Extension Ideas:

• Use props (e.g., small bags or wool) to act out the song while singing.

• Practice bowing and greeting as part of performance etiquette.

• Reinforce phrase breathing during transitions (e.g., breathing before saying “goodbye”).