Story Time Fun

Age Group

Nursery (ages 3-4)

Duration

15 minutes

Class Size

25 children

Curriculum Links

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework - England

Communication and Language
- Listening and Attention: Children listen attentively in a range of situations.
- Understanding: Children follow instructions involving several ideas or actions.
- Speaking: Children express themselves effectively, showing awareness of listeners’ needs.
Literacy
- Reading: Children demonstrate understanding of stories by retelling them and asking questions.
- Comprehension: Children develop an interest in stories, gaining familiarity and understanding.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Making Relationships: Children play cooperatively, taking turns and sharing.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the session, children will:

Listen carefully to the story Who Sank The Boat? and recall key events.
Develop comprehension through answering key questions about the storyline and characters.
Participate actively by joining in interactive activities that promote speaking, turn-taking, and cooperation.
Use prediction skills by guessing “Who sank the boat?” before the story ends.

Resources

Large picture book or storybook version of Who Sank The Boat? by Pamela Allen
Soft toy versions of characters (mouse, frog, crab, etc.) or printed character images
Large shallow tub or tray (optional) for a physical demonstration
Visual sequence cards showing story events
Felt board or magnetic board with boat and animal characters

Lesson Structure

1. Welcome & Introduction (2 minutes)

Greet the children warmly, sitting in a circle.
Show the cover of Who Sank The Boat? and ask:
- “What do you think this story is about?”
- “Have you ever been on a boat or seen one?”
Briefly introduce the characters by showing the toys or images.

2. Story Reading (6 minutes)

Read the story aloud with expression and enthusiasm, showing illustrations clearly.
Pause briefly before the ending to ask:
- “Who do you think sank the boat?”
- Encourage several children to share their guesses.
Use the felt board or magnetic board to move characters onto the boat as the story progresses, helping children visualise the load.

3. Interactive Group Activity (5 minutes)

“Boat Load Experiment”

Using the tub/tray, invite 3-4 children at a time to place animal toys (or pictures) into the tub while the rest watch.
Ask:
- “Who can put the mouse in the boat?”
- “What happens when we add the frog? The crab?”
Gradually add toys, observing how much the boat can hold before it tips or sinks (if using a toy boat in water).
Encourage children to talk about balance, weight, and carefulness, keeping language simple.

4. Reflection & Key Questions (2 minutes)

Circle time discussion:
- “Why did the boat sink?”
- “What could the animals do to keep the boat safe?”
- “How did the animals feel when the boat sank?”
Reinforce vocabulary: sink, float, careful, big, small, heavy, light.

Assessment

Observe children’s participation and attentiveness during story and activities.
Listen to their responses and ability to recall story events during questioning.
Note use of new vocabulary related to the story.
Check for turn-taking and cooperative play during the “Boat Load Experiment.”

Extension Ideas (Optional)

Create a simple craft of paper boats to decorate in the next session.
Role-play the story with children using costumes or puppets.
Sing a related song about boats or floating/sinking.

Notes for Teachers

Use expressive voices and animated gestures to engage attention.
Ask open questions to encourage children’s speaking.
Use repetition to reinforce key concepts and new words.
Adapt the “Boat Load Experiment” to your classroom setting – it can be a sensory tray if water is not possible.

This lesson plan ensures children develop early listening, comprehension, and social skills through a familiar and engaging story, meeting EYFS communication and literacy goals with playful, hands-on learning.

Teaching Instructions