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

Mani Sir एक अनुभवी शिक्षक, शिक्षा मार्गदर्शक और डिजिटल शिक्षा सामग्री निर्माता हैं। वे प्रतियोगी परीक्षाओं तथा विद्यालयी शिक्षा के लिए सरल, तथ्यपूर्ण और परीक्षा-उपयोगी अध्ययन सामग्री तैयार करने के लिए जाने जाते हैं। उनका उद्देश्य कठिन विषयों को आसान भाषा में समझाकर विद्यार्थियों की सफलता सुनिश्चित करना है।
वे विशेष रूप से Prayas आवासीय विद्यालय, जवाहर नवोदय विद्यालय (JNVST), एकलव्य मॉडल आवासीय विद्यालय (EMRS), SCERT, CG Board, CTET, तथा अन्य शैक्षिक परीक्षाओं के लिए नोट्स, मॉडल प्रश्नपत्र, MCQ, माइंड मैप, चार्ट, अध्ययन सामग्री और वीडियो लेक्चर तैयार करते हैं।
