My Likes, Dislikes, and Hobbies

Children learn best when they connect new ideas to their own experiences. By starting with familiar topics like likes, dislikes, and hobbies, we help students see the value of expressing themselves clearly. This builds confidence and encourages them to listen to others with respect.

• Class 1
• Environmental Studies
• 4 activities
• 15 min–25 min

Learning Objectives

1. Identify personal preferences and hobbies by listing at least three activities they enjoy.
2. Compare their own likes and dislikes with those of a classmate, noting at least one similarity and one difference.
3. Explain why they enjoy a particular hobby, connecting it to a personal feeling or experience.
4. Design a simple drawing or collage representing one of their favourite hobbies.

Carousel Brainstorm

⏱ 15 min·Individual

Likes and Dislikes Chart

Each child draws pictures or writes simple words for two likes and two dislikes. They colour the chart brightly. Share one with the class.

Prepare & details

Name two activities you love to do after school.

Facilitation Tip: During Likes and Dislikes Chart, encourage students to write or draw in both columns to show balance in their preferences.

Setup: Requires 4-6 station surfaces — chart paper on walls, columns on the blackboard, or A3 sheets taped to windows. Works in standard Indian classrooms if benches are shifted to create a rotation path; a school corridor or courtyard is a practical alternative where furniture is fixed.

Materials: Chart paper or A3 sheets (one per station), Sketch pens or markers — one distinct colour per group for accountability, Cello tape or Blu-tack for mounting sheets on walls or the blackboard, A whistle or bell for rotation signals audible above classroom noise

• Remember
• Understand
• Analyze
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Carousel Brainstorm

⏱ 20 min·Whole Class

Hobby Circle Share

Children sit in a circle and take turns naming a hobby. Others nod if they share it or shake heads if not. Note common hobbies on the board.

Prepare & details

Tell me something you enjoy doing that your friend might not like.

Facilitation Tip: For Hobby Circle Share, model active listening by asking follow-up questions like, 'That sounds interesting. What do you like most about it?'

Setup: Requires 4-6 station surfaces — chart paper on walls, columns on the blackboard, or A3 sheets taped to windows. Works in standard Indian classrooms if benches are shifted to create a rotation path; a school corridor or courtyard is a practical alternative where furniture is fixed.

Materials: Chart paper or A3 sheets (one per station), Sketch pens or markers — one distinct colour per group for accountability, Cello tape or Blu-tack for mounting sheets on walls or the blackboard, A whistle or bell for rotation signals audible above classroom noise

• Remember
• Understand
• Analyze
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Carousel Brainstorm

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Dream Hobby Pair Talk

In pairs, children tell what they want to learn when older. They draw it together on paper. Pairs present to the class.

Prepare & details

What do you think you would like to try or learn when you are a bit older?

Facilitation Tip: In Dream Hobby Pair Talk, remind pairs to take turns speaking for equal participation.

Setup: Requires 4-6 station surfaces — chart paper on walls, columns on the blackboard, or A3 sheets taped to windows. Works in standard Indian classrooms if benches are shifted to create a rotation path; a school corridor or courtyard is a practical alternative where furniture is fixed.

Materials: Chart paper or A3 sheets (one per station), Sketch pens or markers — one distinct colour per group for accountability, Cello tape or Blu-tack for mounting sheets on walls or the blackboard, A whistle or bell for rotation signals audible above classroom noise

• Remember
• Understand
• Analyze
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Carousel Brainstorm

⏱ 25 min·Whole Class

Class Hobby Wall

Children stick drawn hobbies on a class wall. Discuss most popular ones. Vote with stickers.

Prepare & details

Name two activities you love to do after school.

Facilitation Tip: When creating the Class Hobby Wall, assign small groups to organize the materials so everyone contributes.

Setup: Requires 4-6 station surfaces — chart paper on walls, columns on the blackboard, or A3 sheets taped to windows. Works in standard Indian classrooms if benches are shifted to create a rotation path; a school corridor or courtyard is a practical alternative where furniture is fixed.

Materials: Chart paper or A3 sheets (one per station), Sketch pens or markers — one distinct colour per group for accountability, Cello tape or Blu-tack for mounting sheets on walls or the blackboard, A whistle or bell for rotation signals audible above classroom noise

• Remember
• Understand
• Analyze
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Teaching This Topic

Begin by sharing your own likes and dislikes to create a safe space for vulnerability. Avoid correcting students during discussions, as the goal is self-expression. Research shows that when children see their teacher model openness, they feel more comfortable sharing. Keep language simple and use visuals to support understanding. Rotate seating during pair work to ensure all students interact with different peers.

What to Expect

Successful learning looks like students confidently sharing their preferences and respecting others' choices. They should use simple sentences to describe their hobbies and show curiosity about their classmates' interests. Drawings and charts will help them represent ideas visually.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During Likes and Dislikes Chart, watch for students who write only likes or only dislikes because they think differences create conflict.

What to Teach Instead

Encourage them to include at least one item in each column and explain that having different tastes strengthens friendships.

Common Misconception

During Hobby Circle Share, watch for students who dismiss others' hobbies as 'weird' or 'boring'.

What to Teach Instead

Use the opportunity to model respect by saying, 'That hobby sounds unique. Tell us more about it.'

Common Misconception

During Class Hobby Wall, watch for students who assume hobbies must be physical activities like games or sports.

What to Teach Instead

Point to examples of quiet hobbies like reading or drawing on the wall and say, 'These are hobbies too.'

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

After Likes and Dislikes Chart, during circle time, ask each student: 'Tell us one thing you really like to do after school and one thing you don't like. Why do you like or dislike these?' Listen for clear articulation of preferences.

Quick Check

During Hobby Circle Share, provide students with a worksheet showing two boxes labelled 'My Favourite Hobby' and 'My Friend's Favourite Hobby'. Ask them to draw a picture of their hobby in the first box and ask a classmate to draw their hobby in the second box. Observe if they can identify and represent at least one hobby.

Exit Ticket

After Class Hobby Wall, give each child a small piece of paper. Ask them to draw one thing they would like to try or learn when they are older. Collect these drawings to gauge their aspirations and future interests.

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge students who finish early to interview three classmates about their hobbies and present one finding to the group.
• Scaffolding: Provide word banks or picture cards for students who struggle to express their ideas.
• Deeper exploration: Create a 'Hobby Timeline' where students draw their hobbies at different ages to show how interests evolve.

Key Vocabulary

Likes	Things that you enjoy doing or that make you feel happy.
Dislikes	Things that you do not enjoy doing or that make you feel unhappy.
Hobby	An activity that you do regularly in your free time for enjoyment, like drawing, playing a game, or singing.
Unique	Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else. It means you are special in your own way.