LESSON 15: Surprised Face Play
Lesson Focus: Sequential Memory
Age Group: 2-3 years old
Duration: 30 minutes
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Remember: Identify surprised reactions
2. Understand: Show sudden emotional change
3. Apply: React with appropriate surprise in face and body

MATERIALS:

1. Music player with 2 playful/surprising tracks and 2 neutral tracks
2. Visual cue cards: SURPRISED FACE (emoji or photo), NEUTRAL FACE
3. Drum or hand clapper (for start/stop cues)
4. Floor spots or tape (to define personal space)
5. Powerpoint:

LESSON PROCEDURES:

1) Welcome and Warm-Up (3 minutes)

• Circle time: quick wiggles, shoulder pops, finger flicks
• Introduce “surprised face.” Show cue card and model wide eyes, open mouth
• Learners copy and say “surprised!” with a quick breath

2) What Does Surprised Mean? (2 minutes)

• Teacher models sad vs. neutral face
• Highlight features: downturned mouth, droopy eyes, soft cheeks
• Call-and-response: show SAD FACE card; learners mirror expression
• Ask 2–3 learners to describe what makes a face look sad

3) Concept Demo: What is a Surprised Face? (4 minutes)

• Teacher models surprised vs. neutral face
• Highlight features: wide eyes, raised eyebrows, open mouth
• Call-and-response: show SURPRISED FACE card; learners mirror expression
• Ask 2–3 learners to describe what makes a face look surprised

4) Guided Practice: Surprised Body Moves (6 minutes)

Use 30-second intervals to explore selected body parts with quick-change movement prompts:

• Surprised hands – open fast, clap once, cover mouth
• Surprised feet – quick jump, freeze, tiptoe away
• Surprised arms – shoot up, stretch wide, hug in
• Surprised whole body – jump, spin, freeze with wide eyes

Use playful music to guide tempo and drum/clap to cue transitions. Emphasise quick changes and expressive reactions.

5) Mirror Moment: Face and Feeling (5 minutes)

Invite learners to act out simple surprise scenarios with both facial and body expression. Hold each for ~30 seconds:

1. A balloon pops – wide eyes, quick jump
2. A friend hides and appears – open mouth, arms out
3. A toy moves suddenly – startled face, step back
4. A loud sound – cover ears, blink fast
5. A box opens – lean in, then jump back
6. A light turns on – blink, smile
7. A curtain opens – peek, gasp
8. A teacher says “boo!” – freeze, giggle

Narrate each with playful tone. Remind children to show surprised face and body, then reset calmly.

6) Music Response: Surprise Switches (5 minutes)

Use 4 music excerpts (2 playful/surprising, 2 neutral), each ~30 seconds. For each surprising track, prompt:

1. Show your surprised face
2. Move your surprised body
3. Say a surprised word or sound – e.g., “Oh!” “Wow!” “Ah!”
4. Freeze for 3 seconds when music stops

For neutral tracks, rest quietly with neutral face and still body. Alternate tracks and praise expressive switches.

7) Application Game: Surprise Parade (3 minutes)

Narrate a simple story with playful surprise scenarios. Children act out each part with surprised face and body:

“Let’s go on a surprise parade! First, we walk quietly… then a balloon pops—jump and say ‘Oh!’ A friend jumps out—open arms and smile! A toy moves—step back with wide eyes! A box opens—peek and gasp! And finally, we freeze and take a big breath to feel calm again.”

Use drum/clap to cue each scene. Keep narration playful, clear, and safe.

8) Cool-Down and Reflect (2 minutes)

• Breathing: quick inhale, soft exhale
• Reflection: “Show me your surprised face.” “What surprised you today?”
• Optional: group giggle or gentle wave goodbye

ASSESSMENT

• Identification: Learner points to or mimics surprised face when shown cue card
• Demonstration: Learner produces clear surprised facial expression and body movement on cue
• Connection: Learner links feeling to expression in mirror or scenario play
• Control: Learner switches between surprised and neutral expression with music or verbal cues

REMARKS

• Safety and Inclusion: Emphasise safe movement; offer seated options for quick reactions
• Classroom Management: Use freeze signal consistently; narrate safe examples (“I see your quick hands and calm feet”)
• Language Support: Pair emotion words with visuals and gestures; keep prompts short (“Surprised face!” “Freeze!”)
• Differentiation:
  • For emerging learners: focus on one feature (eyes only)
  • For advanced learners: combine face and body (surprised jump with wide eyes)
• Transitions: Pre-cue switches (“Ready to show surprise in 3-2-1”) to support executive function
• Environment: Clear space; place music source where you can pause quickly
• Family/Carer Note (optional): Try a home mirror game—make surprised faces together and talk about what makes us say “Wow!”