Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v3 - Primary 1
Athletics
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Nigeria 2025 app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Athletics
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Nigeria 2025 app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Physical & Health Education
Class: Primary 1
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 3
Theme: Sports and Games
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.
Watch on YouTubePerform simple at hletic activities Explain the health benefits of running, jumping and throwing etc Safety rules in running, jumping and throwing etc
A. What is Athletics? Athletics refers to a group of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. For Primary 1, the focus is on the basic forms of running, jumping, and throwing. These activities are natural movements that help children develop strength, speed, agility, and coordination.
B. Types of Simple Athletic Activities for Primary 1:
1. Running: Definition: Moving rapidly on foot, typically faster than walking.
Simple Forms: Short Distance Run (e.g., 50 metres dash): Involves running a short, straight distance as fast as possible.
Jogging: A slower, more relaxed form of running.
Key elements for a short dash: Start: Learners stand behind a starting line. A clear signal (e.g., "Go!") initiates the run.
Acceleration: Learners push off quickly to gain speed.
Running Form: Arms pump forward and back, knees lift, body leans slightly forward.
Finish: Learners continue running past the finish line to ensure their full body crosses it.
2. Jumping: Definition: Propelling oneself upwards or forwards into the air using one's legs.
Simple Forms: Standing Broad Jump: Jumping forward from a standing position.
High Jump (Basic): Jumping over a low obstacle (e.g., a skipping rope held low, a chalk line).
Key elements for a basic high jump: Run-up: Taking a few steps towards the obstacle.
Take-off: Pushing off strongly from one or both feet to gain height.
Flight: Being in the air, moving over the obstacle.
Landing: Landing softly on both feet, bending knees to absorb impact.
3. Throwing: Definition: Propelling an object through the air using one's arm or hand.
Simple Forms: Throwing a light object (e.g., beanbag, soft ball) for distance or accuracy.
Key elements for a simple throw: Grip: Holding the object firmly but comfortably.
Stance: Standing with feet apart, body facing the target or direction of throw.
Arm Action: Drawing the arm back, then swinging it forward to release the object.
Follow-through: Continuing the arm movement after releasing the object.
C. Health Benefits of Running, Jumping, and Throwing: Engaging in these activities regularly helps learners to:
1. Develop Strong Muscles and Bones: Running and jumping strengthen leg muscles and bones, making the body stronger and more resilient. Throwing strengthens arm and shoulder muscles.
2. Improve Heart and Lung Health: These activities make the heart pump faster and lungs work harder, improving cardiovascular fitness and stamina. This is crucial for maintaining energy throughout the day.
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Physical activity burns calories, helping to prevent obesity and keep the body at a healthy weight.
4. Boost Mood and Reduce Stress: Exercise releases 'happy hormones' (endorphins), making children feel happier and more energetic, and can help reduce anxiety.
5. Improve Coordination and Balance: Running, jumping, and throwing require the body parts to work together, enhancing coordination and balance, which are essential for many daily tasks.
6. Develop Discipline and Teamwork: Participating in these activities, especially in group settings, teaches discipline, following rules, and working with others.
D. Safety Rules in Running, Jumping, and Throwing: Safety is paramount to prevent injuries. Learners must understand and follow these rules:
1. For Running (especially short dashes): Clear Path: Ensure the running area is free from obstacles (stones, sticks, holes, other children) to prevent tripping and falls.
Look Ahead: Always look in the direction of running to avoid collisions.
No Pushing: Learners must not push or trip fellow runners.
Stay in Lane: If marked, runners should stay within their designated lanes.
Wait for Signal: Only start running after the clear "Go!" signal.
Stop Safely: Slow down gradually after crossing the finish line, do not stop abruptly.
2. For Jumping (e.g., high jump, broad jump): Clear Landing Area: Ensure the landing spot is soft and free from hard objects or sharp edges. If possible, use sandpit or soft mats. If not, grass is preferable to concrete.
One Jumper at a Time: Only one learner should jump at a time to avoid collisions.
Proper Landing: Land with knees bent to absorb the impact and prevent start running after the clear "Go!" signal.
Stop Safely: Slow down gradually after crossing the finish line, do not stop abruptly.
2. For Jumping (e.g., high jump, broad jump): Clear Landing Area: Ensure the landing spot is soft and free from hard objects or sharp edges. If possible, use sandpit or soft mats. If not, grass is preferable to concrete.
One Jumper at a Time: Only one learner should jump at a time to avoid collisions.
Proper Landing: Land with knees bent to absorb the impact and prevent injury to ankles and knees.
Check Obstacles: For high jump, ensure the obstacle (e.g., rope) is stable and will fall easily if touched, rather than being rigid.
3. For Throwing: Check Surroundings: Before throwing, always look around to ensure no one is in the path of the thrown object.
Throw Away from People: Never throw objects at or towards other children or adults.
Use Soft Objects: For Primary 1, use only soft, light objects like beanbags, soft balls, or crumpled paper to minimize injury risk.
Proper Grip: Hold the object firmly to prevent it from slipping from the hand unexpectedly.
Designated Throwing Area: Learners should throw only in a designated, clear area. --- Teacher Activities: Introduction (5 minutes): Review the previous week's lesson on physical fitness or body parts. Introduce the topic "Athletics" by asking learners what they do when they want to move fast, jump high, or throw something. Show pictures or demonstrate simple actions of running, jumping, and throwing. Explanation and Demonstration (15 minutes): Define "Athletics" simply as 'sports that involve running, jumping, and throwing'.
Running: Explain and demonstrate a short 50-metre dash start, running form, and finish. Emphasize body position, arm swing, and knee lift. Explain the need to look ahead and run straight.
Jumping: Explain and demonstrate a simple high jump technique: short run-up, take-off, flight over a very low imaginary or actual obstacle (e.g., a piece of string on the ground), and a soft landing. Explain the importance of bending knees when landing.
Throwing: Explain and demonstrate how to throw a beanbag or soft ball for distance, focusing on grip, stance, arm action, and follow-through. Emphasize throwing safely in a designated direction.
Health Benefits: Explain the benefits in simple terms, relating them to everyday activities (e.g., "Running makes your legs strong so you can play football," "Jumping makes your heart healthy so you don't get tired easily").
Safety Rules: Explain and demonstrate each safety rule for running, jumping, and throwing, using practical examples (e.g., "If you push someone while running, they can fall and get hurt").
Organized Practice Setup (5 minutes): Clear an appropriate outdoor space (field or playground). Mark a 50-metre dash track using cones, chalk, or natural markers (e.g., two trees). Define clear start and finish lines. Set up a safe jumping area, potentially using a low rope or chalk line for high jump, and a clear area for broad jump landing. Designate a throwing area, ensuring it's clear of people and other obstacles, and provide soft throwing objects (beanbags).
Guided Practical Activities (20 minutes): Running: Organize learners into small groups. Have them practice the 50-metre dash, focusing on starting from a designated line and crossing a finish line. Provide immediate feedback on form and safety.
Jumping: Guide learners through simple high jump over a very low obstacle (e.g., a skipping rope held 10cm off the ground, or simply a line). Emphasize run-up, take-off, and landing with bent knees. Also, demonstrate and have them perform a standing broad jump.
Throwing: Supervise learners as they practice throwing beanbags into a designated zone or at a target. Remind them to check their surroundings before throwing and to throw away from others.
Review and Consolidation (5 minutes): Gather learners and ask them to recall one thing they learned about running, jumping, or throwing. Prompt them to name one health benefit or one safety rule. Praise participation and effort.
Student Activities: Observation: Learners observe teacher demonstrations of running, jumping, and throwing techniques, health benefits, and safety rules.
Discussion: Learners participate in Q&A sessions, responding to teacher questions about the activities, benefits, and safety.
Active Participation (Practical): Perform simple running (50-metre dash) from a start line to a finish line. Demonstrate basic high jump skills (run-up, take-off, flight, landing) over a very low obstacle. Practice throwing a beanbag or soft ball.
Recitation: Learners orally state health benefits and safety rules. --- The teacher will guide learners through these activities, providing immediate feedback and corrections.
Activity: Simple 50 Metres Dash Performance Instruction to Teacher: "Organize learners into small groups. Have them line up behind a clearly marked start line. On your command ('Go!'), they should run as fast as they can to a clearly marked finish line approximately 50 meters away. Observe their starting, running form, and finish." Expected Student Action: Learners will position themselves at the start line, await the signal, run the 50-metre distance, and cross the finish line.
Teacher Observation/Solution: Successful Performance: Learners demonstrate a clear start, run in a relatively straight line, use their arms and legs effectively, and cross the finish line without stopping abruptly or colliding with others. Correction/
Commentary: For learners struggling, prompt them to 'pump their arms' or 'look where they are going'. Emphasize slowing down gradually after crossing the finish line. Reinforce the "no pushing" rule.
Activity: Basic High Jump Demonstration Instruction to Teacher: "Set up a very low obstacle (e.g., a skipping rope held 10-15 cm off the ground, or even just a chalk line). Guide learners to perform a simple high jump, focusing on the sequence: run-up, take-off, flight, and landing." Expected Student Action: Learners will take a few steps towards the obstacle, push off the ground, clear the obstacle, and land on both feet, bending their knees.
Teacher Observation/Solution: Successful Performance: Learners approach the obstacle, jump upwards to clear it, and land with bent knees, maintaining balance. Correction/
Commentary: For learners who struggle with landing, demonstrate exaggerated knee bending. For those who can't clear the obstacle, lower it or encourage a stronger push-off. Emphasize landing softly to avoid injury.
Activity: Identifying Health Benefits Instruction to Teacher: "After the running and jumping activities, gather the learners.
Ask: 'What good things do running and jumping do for our bodies?'" Expected Student Response: Learners will mention things like "makes my legs strong," "makes my heart healthy," "makes me happy," "helps me not be fat." Teacher Observation/Solution: Correct Answers: Learners articulate at least one clear health benefit.
Commentary: Expand on their answers, "Yes, strong legs help you play longer without getting tired! And a healthy heart helps you stay well." Activity: Stating Safety Rules for Throwing Instruction to Teacher: "Provide each learner with a beanbag. Before allowing them to throw, ask: 'What is one important thing we must remember before we throw this beanbag?'" Expected Student Response: Learners will say things like "look around," "don't throw at people," "throw it far," "throw it in the right place." Teacher Observation/Solution: Correct Answers: Learners state a crucial safety rule such as "Look before you throw," or "Don't throw at other people."
Commentary: Reinforce all safety rules, especially "Never throw at a person." Demonstrate looking around before throwing. ---
Community Play and Festivals: Athletics activities are integral to children's play in Nigerian communities. Running, jumping, and throwing are naturally incorporated into traditional games like "suwe" (hopscotch), "tinko tinko" (a chasing game), or simply running errands to the market for parents. Understanding these skills helps children participate more effectively and safely in such community activities and local festivals that often feature races or jumps. School Sports Day and Inter-house Competitions: These basic athletic skills are the foundation for participating in school-organized sports events. Learners who grasp running, jumping, and throwing techniques early will be better prepared for inter-house sports competitions, fostering a sense of school spirit and healthy competition. This also provides opportunities for talent identification for future athletes.
Personal Health and Well-being: The knowledge of health benefits directly encourages learners to stay active and healthy. In a society where non-communicable diseases are on the rise, teaching children about the importance of exercise from a young age helps them develop lifelong habits for maintaining a healthy weight, strong heart, and overall vitality. For example, knowing that running makes their heart strong can motivate them to walk instead of always taking a bike or vehicle for short distances, like walking to a friend's house in the neighbourhood. ---