Lesson Plan: One Thing at a Time
Class 4 English Santoor NCERT: Unit 2 My Beautiful World
Lesson Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Lesson | One Thing at a Time (Chapter 4) |
| Class | 4 |
| Subject | English (L2 – Second Language) |
| Unit | 2: My Beautiful World |
| Type | Poem / Reflective |
| Duration | 5 Days (30–35 minutes per day) |
| Page Reference | Pages 35-42 |
| Curricular Goals (NCF-SE 2023) | CG 1 (Sustains effective communication skills), CG 2 (Develops fluency in reading and comprehension), CG 3 (Expresses understanding in writing), CG 4 (Develops wide range of vocabulary) |
Introduction
“One Thing at a Time” is the fourth chapter of Unit 2: My Beautiful World in the Santoor Class 4 English textbook. This thoughtful poem emphasizes the importance of focus, concentration, and mindfulness in our daily lives.
The poem teaches children that:
- Doing one thing at a time is better than multitasking
- Focus helps us complete tasks faster and with better results
- Learning becomes easier when we concentrate on one thing
- We should enjoy each moment without distraction
The chapter also includes activities related to:
- Rhyming words in the poem
- Vocabulary building – might, useful, moments
- Picture description – using “is/are + verb+ing”
- Listening activity – identifying the ‘I’ sound
- Writing daily routine – using a.m. and p.m.
- Riddles – fun brain teasers
- Yoga and focus – connection to concentration
Learning Objectives (सीखने के उद्देश्य)
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Recite the poem “One Thing at a Time” with correct rhythm and expression. (कविता को सही लय और भाव के साथ गा सकेंगे।)
- Understand the importance of focus and concentration. (एकाग्रता और ध्यान के महत्व को समझ सकेंगे।)
- Identify rhyming words in the poem. (कविता में तुकांत शब्दों की पहचान कर सकेंगे।)
- Describe pictures using present continuous tense (is/are + verb+ing). (वर्तमान निरंतर काल का उपयोग कर चित्रों का वर्णन कर सकेंगे।)
- Identify the ‘I’ sound in words. (शब्दों में ‘I’ ध्वनि की पहचान कर सकेंगे।)
- Write about their daily routine using a.m. and p.m. (a.m. और p.m. का उपयोग कर अपनी दिनचर्या लिख सकेंगे।)
- Solve riddles and think creatively. (पहेलियाँ हल कर सकेंगे और रचनात्मक सोच विकसित कर सकेंगे।)
Key Vocabulary (मुख्य शब्दावली)
Poem-Specific Words (कविता से संबंधित शब्द)
| English | Hindi |
|---|---|
| Might | शक्ति / ताकत (Shakti) |
| Useful | उपयोगी (Upyogi) |
| Moments | क्षण (Kshan) |
| Focus | ध्यान (Dhyan) |
| Concentrate | एकाग्र होना (Ekagr hona) |
| Calm | शांत (Shaant) |
| Relaxed | आराम (Aaraam) |
Action Words (क्रिया शब्द)
| English | Hindi |
|---|---|
| Typing | टाइप करना |
| Writing | लिखना |
| Reading | पढ़ना |
| Playing | खेलना |
| Studying | पढ़ाई करना |
| Cooking | खाना बनाना |
| Singing | गाना |
| Riding | सवारी करना |
| Cycling | साइकिल चलाना |
| Skating | स्केटिंग करना |
| Exercising | व्यायाम करना |
| Meditating | ध्यान करना |
Sight Words (दृश्य शब्द)
the, and, to, of, for, with, on, at, by, from, in, it, they, their, them, we, our, you, one, each
Day-Wise Lesson Plan
Day 1: Introduction to the Poem (कविता का परिचय)
Duration: 30 minutes
| Time | Activity | Hindi Term / Instruction | Teacher’s Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Warm-up | शुभ प्रभात! (Shubh Prabhat!) | Greet students. Ask: “Can you do two things at once?” (क्या तुम एक साथ दो काम कर सकते हो?) “Is it better to do one thing at a time or many things together?” (एक काम करना बेहतर है या कई काम एक साथ?) |
| 5 min | Pre-listening | आज क्या सीखेंगे? (Aaj kya seekhenge?) | Show the title “One Thing at a Time”. Ask: “What do you think this poem is about?” “Today we will read a poem about the importance of focus and doing one thing at a time!” |
| 10 min | Poem Recitation | कविता सुनो (Kavita suno) | Recite the poem with actions (Pages 35-36). Do it line by line. Students repeat and act. |
| 5 min | Action Song | साथ में गाओ (Saath mein gao) | Sing the full poem with actions. Do it twice with energy. |
| 5 min | Wrap-up | आज क्या सीखा? (Aaj kya seekha?) | Ask: “What is the poem about?” (Focus and doing one thing at a time) “Why is it important to focus?” (We finish tasks faster and better) |
Poem: One Thing at a Time (Pages 35-36)
One thing at a time,
And that done well,
Is a very good rule,
As many can tell.Focus your mind,
On the task you do,
And soon you’ll see,
Your work is through.One thing at a time,
It’s the way to go,
You’ll learn much better,
And your work will show.So slow down, take a breath,
Don’t hurry or rush,
One thing at a time,
Without any fuss.You’ll find that your work,
Is better and fine,
When you do just one thing,
ONE THING AT A TIME!
Actions for the Poem:
| Line | Action |
|---|---|
| One thing at a time | Show one finger |
| And that done well | Thumbs up gesture |
| Focus your mind | Point to head |
| On the task you do | Pretend to work |
| Your work is through | Wipe forehead, relax |
| Slow down, take a breath | Breathe in and out |
| Don’t hurry or rush | Slow motion movement |
Hindi Instructions to Use:
- “Kavita suno” (कविता सुनो) – Listen to the poem
- “Mere saath karo” (मेरे साथ करो) – Do with me
- “Dhyaan” (ध्यान) – Focus
- “Ek kaam” (एक काम) – One thing
Day 2: Comprehension and Discussion (समझ और चर्चा)
Duration: 30 minutes
| Time | Activity | Hindi Term / Instruction | Teacher’s Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Revision | कल क्या सीखा? (Kal kya seekha?) | Recite the poem with actions. Ask: “What is the poem about?” |
| 10 min | Comprehension Questions | प्रश्न-उत्तर (Prashn-uttar) | Ask from Page 36: “Why is it important to focus on doing one thing at a time?” “Make a list of words that rhyme in the poem.” “How do you feel after finishing a task that you have done well?” “What are some of the things you do every day that help you stay calm and focused?” |
| 5 min | Think and Discuss | सोचो और चर्चा करो (Socho aur charcha karo) | Use Page 36 (B): “What do you like doing in your free time?” |
| 5 min | Vocabulary Activity | शब्द अभ्यास (Shabd abhyas) | Use Page 36 (A): “Match the words with their meanings.” Practice: might, useful, moments. |
| 5 min | Wrap-up | आज क्या सीखा? | Ask: “What is the main message of the poem?” (Focus on one thing at a time) |
Comprehension Questions (Page 36 A):
| Question | Expected Answer |
|---|---|
| Why is it important to focus on doing one thing at a time? | It helps us complete tasks faster, better, and without mistakes. |
| Make a list of words that rhyme in the poem. | time-fine, well-tell, do-show, go-show, fine-time |
| How do you feel after finishing a task that you have done well? | I feel happy, proud, and satisfied. |
| What things help you stay calm and focused? | Deep breathing, yoga, meditation, listening to music. |
Vocabulary Matching (Page 36 A):
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Might | Strength or power |
| Useful | Helpful or beneficial |
| Moments | Short periods of time |
Think and Discuss (Page 36 B):
| Question | Possible Answer |
|---|---|
| What do you like doing in your free time? | I like playing cricket, reading books, drawing, listening to music. |
Hindi Instructions to Use:
- “Dhyaan dena kyun zaroori hai?” (ध्यान देना क्यों ज़रूरी है?) – Why is focus important?
- “Rhyming words kya hain?” (राइमिंग वर्ड्स क्या हैं?) – What are rhyming words?
- “Kaisa lagta hai kaam poora karne ke baad?” (कैसा लगता है काम पूरा करने के बाद?) – How do you feel after finishing work?
Day 3: Picture Description and Present Continuous Tense (चित्र वर्णन और वर्तमान निरंतर काल)
Duration: 30 minutes
| Time | Activity | Hindi Term / Instruction | Teacher’s Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Revision | पुनरावृत्ति (Punaravritti) | Quick poem recall. Rhyming words recall. |
| 10 min | Picture Description Activity | चित्र वर्णन (Chitra varnan) | Use Page 37: “Describe what everyone is doing in the picture.” Use the structure “is/are + action word + ing”. Model sentences: “Two girls are going to school.” “A woman is typing on a computer.” |
| 10 min | Writing Sentences | वाक्य लेखन (Vakya lekhan) | Students write at least seven sentences describing the picture. |
| 5 min | Wrap-up | आज क्या सीखा? | Ask: “What is the structure for describing an action happening now?” (is/are + verb + ing) |
Picture Description (Page 37):
Things happening in the picture:
- Two girls are going to school.
- A woman is typing on a computer.
- A boy is reading a book.
- A girl is painting a picture.
- A man is riding a bicycle.
- A child is playing with a ball.
- A woman is walking with her dog.
- A teacher is teaching in a classroom.
Sentence Structure:
| Subject | Auxiliary Verb | Action Verb + ing |
|---|---|---|
| Two girls | are | going to school. |
| A woman | is | typing on a computer. |
| A boy | is | reading a book. |
| A girl | is | painting a picture. |
| A man | is | riding a bicycle. |
| A child | is | playing with a ball. |
Grammar Rule:
- Singular (one person) → is + verb + ing
- Plural (more than one person) → are + verb + ing
Example:
- A woman is typing. (Singular)
- Two girls are going to school. (Plural)
Note to Teacher (Page 37): You may begin this activity by encouraging learners to describe the picture in English. Ensure that they use the structure “is/are + action word + ing”. Provide additional verbs if required.
Hindi Instructions to Use:
- “Kya kar rahe hain?” (क्या कर रहे हैं?) – What are they doing?
- “Singular ke liye ‘is’ ka upyog” (Singular के लिए ‘is’ का उपयोग) – Use ‘is’ for singular
- “Plural ke liye ‘are’ ka upyog” (Plural के लिए ‘are’ का उपयोग) – Use ‘are’ for plural
- “Action word + ing” – Action word + ing
Day 4: Listening Activity and Daily Routine Writing (सुनने की गतिविधि और दिनचर्या लेखन)
Duration: 30 minutes
| Time | Activity | Hindi Term / Instruction | Teacher’s Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Revision | दोहराव (Dohrav) | Quick picture description practice. |
| 5 min | Listening Activity | सुनना (Sunna) | Use Page 38: “The case of missing ‘I’.” Teacher reads aloud words. Students circle the words in which they don’t hear the ‘I’ sound. |
| 15 min | Daily Routine Writing | दिनचर्या लेखन (Dincharya lekhan) | Use Pages 38-39: “Write down your daily routine in the space given below. Tick (✓) if they are work or play.” Students fill in their daily routine. |
| 5 min | Wrap-up | आज क्या सीखा? | Ask: “What is a.m. and p.m.?” (a.m. is morning, p.m. is afternoon/evening) “What is your daily routine?” |
Listening Activity – ‘I’ Sound (Page 38):
Words to listen to:
leaf, calm, pale, jail, palm, hall, clean, calf, shelf, chalk, talk, silk, balm, plum, self
Circle the words where you DON’T hear the ‘I’ sound:
- No ‘I’ sound: calm, palm, hall, calf, chalk, talk, balm
- ‘I’ sound present: leaf, pale, jail, clean, shelf, silk, plum, self
Daily Routine Writing (Pages 38-39):
Part 1: Morning Routine
| Time | What I Do | Work/Play |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 a.m. | Wake up, brush my teeth | Work |
| 6:30 a.m. | Take a bath | Work |
| 7:00 a.m. | Eat breakfast | Work |
| 7:30 a.m. | Get ready for school | Work |
| 8:00 a.m. | Leave for school | Work |
Part 2: At School
| Time | What I Do |
|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. | School starts |
| 10:00 a.m. | Recess – play games |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch break |
| 2:30 p.m. | School ends |
Part 3: At Home
| Time | What I Do |
|---|---|
| 3:00 p.m. | Change clothes, eat snack |
| 4:00 p.m. | Do homework |
| 5:00 p.m. | Play with friends |
| 7:00 p.m. | Dinner |
| 9:00 p.m. | Go to sleep |
a.m. and p.m. Explanation:
| a.m. | p.m. |
|---|---|
| Morning (Ante Meridiem) | Afternoon/Evening (Post Meridiem) |
| 12:00 a.m. – 11:59 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. – 11:59 p.m. |
| From midnight to noon | From noon to midnight |
Note to Teacher (Page 38): Explain the concept of a.m. and p.m. to learners. Use a.m. and p.m. while talking about day-to-day activities. Encourage learners to write about their routine after school. You may model some sentences for them.
Hindi Instructions to Use:
- “Aapki dincharya kya hai?” (आपकी दिनचर्या क्या है?) – What is your daily routine?
- “a.m. aur p.m. ka kya matlab hai?” (a.m. और p.m. का क्या मतलब है?) – What do a.m. and p.m. mean?
Day 5: Riddles, Assessment, and Celebration (पहेलियाँ, मूल्यांकन और उत्सव)
Duration: 30 minutes
| Time | Activity | Hindi Term / Instruction | Teacher’s Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Revision | पुनरावृत्ति (Punaravritti) | Full poem recitation. Quick picture description. Daily routine recall. |
| 10 min | Riddles Activity | पहेलियाँ (Paheliyan) | Use Page 40: “Guess the following riddles.” Students solve riddles. |
| 5 min | Speaking Assessment | बातचीत परीक्षण (Baatcheet parikshan) | Call students one by one. Ask: “What is the message of the poem?” “Why should we do one thing at a time?” “What is your daily routine?” |
| 5 min | Writing Assessment | लेखन परीक्षण (Lekhan parikshan) | Dictate 5 words: focus, useful, moments, daily, routine. Students write. |
| 5 min | Wrap-up & Celebration | समापन और शाबाशी (Samaapan aur Shabashi) | Sing the poem one last time. Clap for all students. Celebrate their learning! |
Riddles Activity (Page 40):
| Riddle | Answer |
|---|---|
| I have cities, but no houses; I have mountains, but no trees; I have water, but no fish. What am I? | Map |
| I have keys, but no locks; I have space, but no room; You can enter, but can’t go outside. What am I? | Keyboard |
| I have a face, but no eyes; I have hands, but no arms. What am I? | Clock |
| I am light as a feather, yet the strongest man can’t hold me for long. What am I? | Breath |
Speaking Assessment Questions:
| Question | Expected Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the message of the poem? | We should do one thing at a time to do it well. |
| Why should we do one thing at a time? | It helps us focus and complete tasks better. |
| What is your daily routine in the morning? | I wake up, brush my teeth, take a bath, eat breakfast, and go to school. |
| What do you do in your free time? | I play cricket/read books/draw pictures. |
| What does a.m. mean? | a.m. is morning time. |
Writing Assessment:
| Dictation Word | Expected Spelling |
|---|---|
| Focus | F-O-C-U-S |
| Useful | U-S-E-F-U-L |
| Moments | M-O-M-E-N-T-S |
| Daily | D-A-I-L-Y |
| Routine | R-O-U-T-I-N-E |
Assessment Checklist (मूल्यांकन सूची):
| Skill | Criteria | Yes/No |
|---|---|---|
| Recitation | Recites the poem with actions | ☐ |
| Comprehension | Answers 4+ questions correctly | ☐ |
| Rhyming Words | Identifies rhyming words | ☐ |
| Picture Description | Describes pictures using is/are + verb+ing | ☐ |
| Listening | Identifies ‘I’ sound in words | ☐ |
| Daily Routine | Writes daily routine with a.m. and p.m. | ☐ |
| Riddles | Solves riddles correctly | ☐ |
| Speaking | Answers questions in sentences | ☐ |
| Writing | Writes dictation words correctly | ☐ |
Additional Activities (अतिरिक्त गतिविधियाँ)
| Activity | Description | Hindi Instruction |
|---|---|---|
| Focus Game | Play a concentration game (e.g., “Simon Says” with a focus element). | “Dhyaan khel.” (ध्यान खेल।) |
| Yoga Session | Practice simple yoga asanas (Pranayama, Tree Pose) to enhance focus. | “Yoga karo.” (योग करो।) |
| My Daily Routine Chart | Create a colourful chart of your daily routine with pictures. | “Dincharya chart banao.” (दिनचर्या चार्ट बनाओ।) |
| Riddle Writing | Write your own riddle and share it with the class. | “Apni paheli likho.” (अपनी पहेली लिखो।) |
| Focus Journal | Write about a time when you focused on one thing and did it well. | “Dhyaan diary likho.” (ध्यान डायरी लिखो।) |
| Mindfulness Activity | Close your eyes and focus on your breathing for 1 minute. | “Saans par dhyaan do.” (साँस पर ध्यान दो।) |
Resources Needed (आवश्यक सामग्री)
- Textbook: Santoor Class 4 English (Pages 35-42)
- Large picture for description activity
- Flashcards: action words
- Flashcards: a.m. and p.m.
- Yoga cards or pictures
- Drawing sheets and crayons
- Notebooks and pencils
- Chart paper for routine chart
Integration with Indian Knowledge System (भारतीय ज्ञान परंपरा से जुड़ाव)
- Yoga and Focus: The chapter mentions yoga as a way to enhance focus. Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that improves concentration and mindfulness.
- Pranayama: Breathing exercises are mentioned to help with focus. Pranayama is a key part of Indian yoga tradition.
- Ancient Indian Wisdom: The concept of “One thing at a time” is found in ancient Indian texts. The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes single-minded focus (Ekagrata).
- Indian Educational Philosophy: In Indian tradition, learning was done through “Gurukul” system where students focused on one subject at a time.
- Mindfulness in Indian Culture: Indian culture has always emphasized mindfulness and being present in the moment.
- Riddles in Indian Tradition: Riddles (Paheliyan) are an important part of Indian oral tradition, used for entertainment and mental stimulation.
Note to the Teacher (शिक्षक के लिए नोट)
- Focus helps us completing tasks faster and better. It improves learning, reduces mistakes, and increases efficiency. (As mentioned on Page 36)
- To enhance focus, you can tell children to incorporate simple yoga asanas like: Pranayama, Tree Pose, etc. (As mentioned on Page 36)
- You may begin this activity by encouraging learners to describe the picture in English. Ensure that they use the structure “is/are + action word + ing”. Provide additional verbs if required. (As mentioned on Page 37)
- Explain the concept of a.m. and p.m. to learners. Use a.m. and p.m. while talking about day-to-day activities. (As mentioned on Page 38)
- Encourage the learners to write about their routine after school. You may model some sentences for them. (As mentioned on Page 38)
- Draw learners’ attention to the use of ‘will’ to talk about events that will take place in the future.
- Encourage children to practice focus in their daily activities.
Links to Other Curricular Areas (पाठ्यक्रम के अन्य क्षेत्रों से जुड़ाव)
| Area | Connection |
|---|---|
| Health & Wellness | Yoga, Pranayama, concentration, mindfulness |
| Art & Craft | Daily routine chart, drawing, creativity |
| Values Education | Focus, discipline, patience, mindfulness |
| Physical Education | Yoga asanas, concentration games |
| Language Development | Vocabulary, present continuous tense, a.m./p.m. |
| Life Skills | Time management, daily routine, self-discipline |
Quick Reference Card
Key Poem Lines:
“One thing at a time, And that done well”
“Focus your mind, On the task you do”
“Slow down, take a breath, Don’t hurry or rush”
Key Grammar:
is/are + verb + ing (Present Continuous Tense)
Key Time Concepts:
a.m. (morning) / p.m. (afternoon/evening)
Key Message:
“Focus on one thing at a time for the best results!”
Key Vocabulary:
might, useful, moments, focus, concentrate, calm, relaxed
