Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - Basic 4

Lesson Video

This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.

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Performance objectives

• Define key values like respect, empathy, and teamwork.
• Explain why these values are important for building relationships.
• Demonstrate how to apply these values in real-life situations.
• Identify where you can practice these values at school and home.

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces learners to the important values that make playing games and sports fun, safe, and fair for everyone. In Ghana, we play many games together in our communities, from football on a dusty pitch to 'ampe' and 'pilolo' in the schoolyard. This lesson is important because it teaches us that *how* we play is just as important as winning. Learning about teamwork, fair play, respect, sharing, and self-control helps us become better players, better friends, and better citizens in our communities. These values help us enjoy physical activities more and prevent fights or hurt feelings.

Lesson notes

Teacher's Note: Begin by asking learners about their favourite games and what makes a game fun or not fun. Use their answers to introduce the concept of "playing well together."

Today, we are learning about five very important ideas or "values" that help us play well together. Think of them as the secret rules for being a great sport! Teamwork (Working Together) Explanation: Teamwork is when everyone in a group or team works together to achieve the same goal. It's like the fingers on your hand; one finger cannot do much, but when they all work together, they can lift things and do amazing work! In a team, you are not playing for yourself alone, you are playing for everyone. Ghanaian Example: Think about the Ghana Black Stars. When they play football, one player cannot score a goal all by himself. A defender passes the ball to a midfielder, who then passes it to a striker to score. They must work together as a team to win. In our own games like a relay race, you must run your part well and pass the baton properly to your teammate for the team to succeed. Fair Play (Playing by the Rules) Explanation: Fair play means playing honestly and following all the rules of the game. It means you don't cheat to win. A victory is only sweet when it is earned fairly. Ghanaian Example: Imagine you are playing a game of 'oware'. Fair play means you only pick up seeds from a pit that has more than one seed and you follow the rules of sowing. Taking your friend's seeds when it is not your turn is cheating and is not fair play. In football, if the ball goes out of play, the team that didn't touch it last gets the throw-in. Arguing and claiming the throw-in when you know it's not yours is not fair play. Respect (Showing Good Manners) Explanation: Respect is treating everyone involved in the game with kindness and consideration—your teammates, your opponents, the referee or game leader, and even the equipment. You show respect by listening to instructions, not insulting anyone, and accepting decisions gracefully. Ghanaian Example: After a community football match, you often see players from both teams shaking hands. This is a sign of respect. It means, "Well done, you played a good game." Respect is also not laughing at someone who makes a mistake, like tripping over the ball. Instead, you can encourage them by saying, "Don't worry, try again!" Sharing (Giving Everyone a Chance) Explanation: Sharing means making sure everyone has access to the equipment and gets a chance to participate in the game. In many of our schools and communities, we don't have enough equipment for everyone to have their own. Sharing becomes very important. Ghanaian Example: If there is only one football for the whole class to play with, sharing means you pass the ball to your teammates instead of trying to dribble it by yourself the whole time. If you have a skipping rope ('tumatu'), sharing means you let your friends have a turn to skip after you've had yours. Self-Control (Controlling Your Feelings and Actions) Explanation: Self-control is the ability to manage your emotions and actions, especially when things are not going your way. It's about staying calm when you are excited, angry, or disappointed. Ghanaian Example: Let's say your team is losing a game of 'ampe'. It is easy to get angry and blame your partner. Self-control is when you take a deep breath, encourage your partner, and keep trying your best without shouting or getting upset. It is also showing self-control by not pushing an opponent out of frustration, or by celebrating a goal happily without teasing and making the other team feel bad.

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Activity 1: Scenario Corner