Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 2

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Demonstrate locomotor movements like hopping and skipping.
• Balance while walking forwards and backwards on a line.
• Throw and catch a ball with a partner.
• Play safely and cooperatively with others.
• Describe how your body feels after exercise.

Lesson summary

This lesson builds on our understanding of moving our bodies.

We will focus on three important skills: fitness, balance, and coordination. Fitness is about having a strong, healthy body that has lots of energy to play and learn. Balance is our body's superpower to stay steady and not fall over. Coordination is how our brain tells our body parts to work together as a team. In South Africa, these skills are vital for everyday life. We use them when playing indigenous games like kgati (skipping rope) and amagende (hopscotch) with friends, when navigating busy streets in our cities, or walking on uneven paths in rural areas.

Lesson notes

What is Fitness? Fitness means your body is strong and full of energy. Think of your body like a car. A car needs a good engine to go far. Our heart is our body's engine! When we run, jump, and play, our heart beats faster to send blood and energy to all our muscles. This makes our heart stronger. How do we know we are building fitness? You might start to breathe a little faster, your cheeks might get warm and rosy, and you can feel your heart beating in your chest. This is a good sign! It shows your body is working hard to become stronger.

Example: When you play chasey (tag) on the playground and you feel out of breath, you are exercising your heart and lungs. The more you play, the longer you will be able to run before getting tired. That's your fitness improving! What is Balance? Balance is the skill of keeping your body steady and upright, without wobbling or falling over. It’s like being a statue! How does it work? Our brain, eyes, and muscles all work together. Our eyes see where we are, and our brain sends messages to our tummy and leg muscles to make tiny changes to keep us from falling. Strong tummy muscles (your core) are very important for good balance.

Example: Imagine you are a meerkat standing on your back legs, looking out for danger. You have to stand very still and use your tummy muscles to stay balanced. When you walk along the edge of a pavement or a line in the sand, you are practising your balance. What is Coordination? Coordination is about making different parts of your body work together as a team to do something. It's especially about how our eyes and our hands or feet work together (this is called hand-eye coordination or foot-eye coordination). How does it work? Your brain is the team captain. If you want to catch a ball, your eyes (a player) watch the ball flying towards you. Your brain (the captain) figures out where the ball is going. Then, your brain tells your arms and hands (other players) exactly where to move to catch it. Teamwork!

Example: When you are threading beads onto a string, you are using hand-eye coordination. Your eyes look at the tiny hole, and your brain tells your fingers how to push the string through. Kicking a soccer ball towards a goal is another great example of coordination. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Activity 1: The Animal Parade Question: The teacher calls out, "Let's go on an animal parade! First, let's hop like a springbok for 10 hops. Now, let's gallop like a horse across the field. Finally, let's stretch up and walk on our tiptoes like a tall giraffe." Solution and

Commentary: The teacher demonstrates each movement first.

Springbok Hop: Learners hop on two feet.

Commentary: This builds explosive leg power, which is part of fitness.* Horse Gallop: Learners lead with one foot forward, bringing the back foot to meet it in a skipping motion.

Commentary: This is a more complex locomotor skill that develops coordination and rhythm.* Giraffe Walk: Learners walk on their tiptoes with arms stretched high.

Commentary: This is an excellent activity for improving dynamic balance and strengthening calf muscles.* Activity 2: The Tightrope Walker Question: Walk along a straight line drawn on the ground (or a skipping rope laid flat). First, walk forward, placing one foot directly in front of the other. Then, carefully try to walk backwards along the same line. Solution and

Commentary: The teacher demonstrates, holding their arms out to the side like airplane wings.

Commentary:* The teacher explains, "Holding your arms out helps you balance, just like a real tightrope walker! Look at a spot in front of you and try not to look down at your feet. This helps your brain keep you steady." Walking backwards is more challenging and requires more focus and core muscle control.

Activity 3: Catching Clouds Question: In pairs, standing two big steps apart, gently throw a large, soft beach ball or balloon to your partner. The catcher should try to catch it with their hands without it touching their body. Solution and

Commentary: The teacher demonstrates the correct catching technique.

Commentary:* The teacher shows learners how to make a 'W' shape with their thumbs and index fingers, and to watch the "cloud" (the ball) all the way into their hands. This is called 'tracking'. The teacher explains, "Keep your eyes on the ball! Your hands are like a basket. Get them ready to catch the ball gently." This activity directly teaches hand-eye coordination in a safe, non-threatening way. Independent Practice (Questions Only) Set these up as stations for small groups to rotate through.

The Hopping Trail: Follow a zigzag chalk line by hopping on one foot. Switch feet at every corner.

Statue Challenge: When the leader claps, freeze in a balanced pose (like a tree on one leg, or an airplane). Who can hold their pose for 10 seconds without wobbling?

Beanbag Toss: Set up three buckets or hoops at different distances. Try to throw one beanbag into each one.