Lesson Plan: Lesson 4 – Song Class: Hickory Dickory Dock

Age Group: K1 and K2 (3 to 5 years old)
Class Size: 10 children
Duration: 60 minutes
Focus Area: Rhythm accuracy, diction clarity, and confident verse transitions

Learning Objectives:

• Children will be able to keep time with a soft “tick-tock” while speaking-singing.

• Children will be able to articulate tricky words so the story is easy to follow.

• Children will be able to connect two verses smoothly with confident starts and stops.

Materials Needed:

• Printed lyrics of Hickory Dickory Dock (two verses)

• Audio playback device (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSPV-ezPMhQ)

• Visual aids for rhythm (e.g., clock face, tick-tock icons)

• Word cards for tricky words: Hickory, Dickory, Dock, Clock 

• Floor markers for performance spots

• Small rhythm instruments (e.g., wood blocks, egg shakers

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, tap feet. Use imagery like “stretch like a clock arm” or “tick like a second hand.”

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

• Invite children to make soft ticking sounds (“tick-tock”) to connect breath with rhythm.

15 min Technique Focus 1: Rhythm Accuracy to “Tick-Tock” Ostinato

Purpose: To help children internalize a steady rhythm and maintain it while singing.

• Introduce the concept of “tick-tock” as a steady beat, like a clock.

• Demonstrate tapping a soft “tick-tock” using rhythm instruments or body percussion.

• Invite children to echo the “tick-tock” using claps, taps, or shakers.

• Sing the first verse of Hickory Dickory Dock while maintaining the tick-tock beat.

• Invite children to speak-sing the verse while keeping time with the tick-tock rhythm.

• Reinforce steady pacing and soft volume to support clarity.

15 min Technique Focus 2: Diction on Tricky Words

Purpose: To help children articulate key words clearly for storytelling.

• Present word cards: Hickory, Dickory, Dock, Clock. Say each word slowly and clearly. • Demonstrate how each word sounds when spoken and sung. • Invite children to repeat each word with exaggerated clarity and gentle voice. • Practice singing short phrases with tricky words, focusing on crisp consonants and smooth vowels. • Use mirror or peer feedback to help children notice mouth shape and sound clarity. • Reinforce friendly tone and storytelling voice.

10 min Guided Application to Exam Task (Two Verse Practice)

Purpose: To apply rhythm and diction techniques to a full two-verse performance.

• Introduce the second verse (e.g., “The mouse ran down…”).

• Model singing both verses with tick-tock rhythm and clear diction.

• Invite children to sing both verses in small groups, focusing on confident starts and clean stops.

• Guide children to connect the verses smoothly, using breath and posture cues.

10 min Performance + Feedback

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

• Invite children to perform both verses from memory, one group at a time.

• Observe rhythm consistency, diction clarity, and verse transitions.

• Offer specific feedback: “Your tick-tock was so steady!” or “I heard every word in ‘Hickory Dickory Dock’—great job!”

• 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 “tick-tock” humming exercise using the rhythm of the song.

• 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 explore how our voices can tell stories with sound and movement.”

Extension Ideas:

• Use a large clock prop to reinforce rhythm visually.

• Practice diction during transitions (e.g., saying “Hickory Dickory Dock” when lining up).

• Reinforce confident starts and stops with a “mouse race” game—who can begin and end clearly?