Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 2

Lesson Video

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.

Performance objectives

• Show how to hop, skip, and gallop.
• Follow a sequence of movements.
• Play a game with friends, following the rules.
• Throw and catch a beanbag or soft ball.
• Play safely and give everyone space.

Lesson summary

This lesson focuses on developing and combining fundamental movement patterns through fun games and structured activities. In Grade 2, learners are moving beyond simple, isolated movements and are beginning to understand how to sequence them. This ability is crucial for participating in more complex games, sports, and physical activities. In the South African context, where outdoor play and indigenous games are a vital part of childhood, mastering these skills builds confidence and encourages a healthy, active lifestyle. This week, we will focus on hopping, skipping, and galloping, and integrating them into sequences.

Lesson notes

This section explains the core movements and concepts for this week's lesson. It is important to demonstrate each movement clearly and give learners ample time to practise.

Key Movement Patterns Hopping: What it is: Hopping is a jumping movement where you take off from one foot and land on that same foot. It's like being a flamingo or playing a game of amagende (hopscotch).

How to do it: Stand on one leg. Bend the knee of the standing leg slightly. Use your leg muscles to push off the ground and jump up. Land softly on the ball of the same foot, bending your knee to absorb the shock. Try to keep your balance by using your arms.

Why it's important: Hopping builds leg strength and is excellent for improving balance.

Skipping: What it is: Skipping is a combination of a step and a hop. It has a bouncy, rhythmic feel: "step-hop, step-hop".

How to do it: Take a step forward with one foot (e.g., the left foot). Immediately do a small hop on that same foot (the left foot). Then, take a step forward with the other foot (the right foot). Immediately do a small hop on that foot (the right foot).

Continue this pattern: step-hop, step-hop, step-hop.

Why it's important: Skipping develops coordination and rhythm, as it requires both sides of the body to work together in a sequence.

Galloping: What it is: Galloping is a forward movement where one foot always leads.

How to do it: Step forward with one foot (your 'lead' foot). Bring your other foot (your 'back' foot) up to meet the lead foot. As your back foot gets close, step forward again with your lead foot. It feels like your back foot is always chasing your front foot. The rhythm is long-short, long-short.

Why it's important: Galloping is a key locomotor skill used in many sports to move quickly in one direction. Combining Movements (Sequences) A sequence is like a sentence made of movements. We put different actions together in a specific order. For example, a sequence could be: Hop twice -> Skip three times -> Gallop to the wall.

Why we do this: Learning sequences helps our brain and body work together. It improves memory, coordination, and the ability to follow multi-step instructions, which is important in games and in the classroom.

Game Skills: Throwing and Catching Underarm Throw: Hold the beanbag or ball in your throwing hand. Stand facing your partner, but turn your body slightly sideways. Step forward with the foot opposite your throwing arm (if you throw with your right hand, step with your left foot). Swing your arm back gently, then swing it forward like a pendulum. Let go of the ball when your hand is pointing towards your partner.

Catching: Watch the ball all the way from your partner's hand to your hands. Make a "basket" or "bowl" with your hands, with your pinkie fingers close together. Let the ball land in your hands and "hug" it towards your body to secure it. Your hands should be soft, not stiff. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Activity 1: Movement Follow the Leader Task: The teacher acts as the leader. The teacher calls out and demonstrates a two-part movement sequence. Learners must copy the leader.

Example 1:* "Gallop forward 4 times, then hop on one spot 3 times." Example 2:* "Skip in a small circle, then freeze like a statue." Worked Solution &

Commentary: The teacher first performs the action clearly so all learners can see. As learners perform, the teacher provides positive verbal cues: "Great galloping, Busi! Remember to land softly on your hops, Thabo!" The solution is the successful imitation of the sequence. The commentary focuses on breaking down the movements for those who struggle, for instance, by clapping out the rhythm of the skip.

Activity 2: Partner Beanbag Pass Task: In pairs, learners stand two big steps apart. They must successfully throw and catch a beanbag with their partner 5 times in a row using an underarm throw. Worked Solution &

Commentary: The teacher first demonstrates the correct underarm throw and the two-handed "basket" catch. The solution is achieving 5 consecutive successful passes. If a pair is struggling, the teacher intervenes with specific feedback: "Sipho, try stepping forward as you throw. Anelisa, remember to watch the beanbag all the way into your hands." The distance can be shortened for pairs finding it difficult.

Activity 3: The Movement Bridge Task: Set up two markers (e.g., cones or shoes) about 5 metres apart. The teacher gives an instruction to cross the 'bridge' from one marker to the other.

Instruction:* "To cross the bridge, you must first hop on your right foot three times, then skip the rest of the way to the other side." Worked Solution &

Commentary: The solution is for the learner to correctly perform the sequence to get from one marker to the other. The teacher observes and can offer reminders ("What comes after the three hops?"). This activity checks if learners can remember and execute a sequence independently after hearing the instruction.