Learning Humpty Dumpty

Class Details

Year Group: First Class (6-7 years old)
Duration: 30 minutes
Number of Students: 19
Subject: Music
Curriculum Reference: IE Curriculum - Music Strand (Strand Unit: Exploring Sounds, Strand Unit: Expressing and Communicating)

Lesson Overview

Students will learn and internalise the words of a song from the Humpty Dumpty play "It's a Mystery". The focus will be on vocal development, memory skills, rhythm recognition, and participation in group singing. This will help develop students' musical language and communication skills aligned with the IE Music Curriculum.

Learning Objectives (IE Curriculum-Aligned)

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Develop their singing voice and confidently sing the words of the Humpty Dumpty song in tune and with clear diction.
- Strand Unit: Exploring Sounds (MU.MES.1) - Experience and understand the elements of music including pitch and rhythm through singing.
Recognise and recall song words, fostering memory and sequencing skills.
- Strand Unit: Expressing and Communicating (MU.EC.1) - Use musical vocabulary to express ideas clearly.
Demonstrate basic rhythmic patterns through clapping exercises aligned with the song's lyrics.
- Strand Unit: Exploring Sounds (MU.MES.2) - Explore and practise rhythm using body percussion.
Participate collaboratively in a group music activity, respecting peers and sharing the space for performance.
- Musical Competence: Collaboration and Aural Skills (MU.PERF.1)

Resources Needed

Printed lyric sheets of the Humpty Dumpty song from "It's a Mystery", with large clear fonts.
Audio recording of the Humpty Dumpty song (if available) for listening and modelling.
Whiteboard and markers for writing keywords from the song.
Space for students to stand and move.
Optional: simple percussion instruments (e.g., clapping, shakers) for rhythm activities.

Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Vocal Warm-Up: Lead the class in fun vocal exercises (e.g., humming, sliding pitch on “la”) to prepare voices for singing.
Rhythm Warm-Up: Clap simple rhythms and encourage students to echo, linking rhythmic patterns to the beat of the song.

2. Introduction to the Song (7 minutes)

Introduce the song “It's a Mystery” from Humpty Dumpty play. Explain the story context briefly to anchor meaning.
Play or sing the song once through for listening. Encourage students to listen carefully to the words.
Display the lyrics on the board or handouts. Read through the lyrics as a class, emphasising tricky or new words.
Highlight and clarify vocabulary associated with the ‘mystery’ theme (e.g., “mystery,” “crack,” “fall”).

3. Learning the Words (10 minutes)

Break the song into short, manageable phrases or lines.
Using call-and-response method, sing one line and have the children repeat after you.
Use actions or gestures linked to specific words to support memory (e.g., hands cracking for “crack,” holding hands up for “fall”).
Encourage students to join in, gradually increasing their participation until the whole class sings together.

4. Rhythmic Clapping Activity (5 minutes)

Teach the rhythmic pattern of the song by clapping the beat to the words.
Invite students to clap or tap along with the rhythm while singing or speaking the lyrics.
Optionally, split the class into two groups alternating between clapping and singing to build active listening and turn-taking skills.

5. Wrap-Up & Assessment (3 minutes)

Sing the song together one last time confidently, encouraging full-class participation with clear words and rhythm.
Informal formative assessment through observation:
- Are students using correct words?
- Are they following the rhythm?
- Do they engage positively?
End with positive praise and a quick reflection question: “What new word or move did you enjoy most today?”

Differentiation

For students needing additional support: Provide visuals or picture cues linked to song lyrics; pair with a peer for modelling.
For advanced learners: Challenge them to sing a verse solo or create their own actions for new words.

Cross-Curricular Links

English Language: Vocabulary building and sequencing through song lyrics.
Drama: Using gestures and role-play elements to express the song’s narrative.

Teacher’s Reflection (for after class)

Were all students engaged and able to join in the singing?
Did the use of gestures/supports aid word retention effectively?
Was the rhythm activity accessible and fun for all?
What can be tweaked next time to improve memorisation or vocal clarity?

This lesson aligns strongly with the first class music learning goals in the IE Curriculum, fostering foundational aural skills, vocabulary acquisition, and group musical expression through an age-appropriate, cross-disciplinary song activity.

Teaching Instructions