Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 3

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

• Explain why rules make a game safe and fair.
• Show good teamwork, like passing or cheering.
• Play safely and fairly in a group game.
• Follow simple rules.
• Talk positively with teammates.

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces Grade 3 learners to the fundamental concepts of participating in games, understanding the importance of rules, and developing teamwork skills. In South Africa, playing games is a vital part of childhood and community life. From informal games of umgusha (hopscotch) and kennetjie (three tins) in the neighbourhood to school sports like soccer and netball, games teach us more than just physical skills. They teach us how to be fair, how to work with others, and how to handle winning and losing gracefully.

Lesson notes

This section explains the main ideas for our lesson. It's all about how to have the most fun playing games by playing them the right way! What are Rules? Rules are instructions that tell us how a game should be played. Think of them as a recipe for a game! If you don't follow the recipe, the cake won't turn out right. If you don't follow the rules, the game won't be fun or fair. Why do we need rules?

To make it FAIR: Rules make sure everyone has an equal chance to play and win. If one person could start a race before the word “Go!”, it would not be fair to the others.

To make it SAFE: Rules help prevent injuries. For example, a rule in soccer is “no pushing”. This stops players from getting hurt.

To make it FUN: When everyone knows what to do and the game is fair, it is much more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Example: The game of Three Tins (Kennetjie)

Game Goal: One team tries to knock over a pyramid of three tins with a ball, while the other team (with one 'guard') tries to rebuild the tins and tag the throwers. Rule

Example: A key rule is that a thrower who is tagged by the guard with the ball is 'out'. Why is this rule important? Without this rule, the throwers could just run around forever without any risk. The rule creates a challenge and makes the game exciting and fair for both the guarding team and the throwing team. What is Teamwork? Teamwork is when a group of people work together to achieve a common goal. It’s about being a team player, not just playing for yourself. The famous saying goes, “Teamwork makes the dream work!” This is especially true in South Africa, where the spirit of Ubuntu teaches us to work together and support each other. What does good teamwork look like?

Communicating: Talking to your teammates. For example, shouting “I’m open!” in netball so your friend knows where to pass the ball.

Cooperating: Working together. Instead of trying to score all by yourself, you pass the ball to a teammate who has a better chance.

Encouraging: Cheering for your teammates. Saying “Good try!” or “You can do it!” helps everyone feel good and play their best, even if they make a mistake.

Sharing Roles: Every player on a team has a job or a role. In soccer, some players are defenders (they stop the other team from scoring) and some are attackers (they try to score). Good teams know that every role is important.

Example: A simple school relay race Game Goal: For the whole team to finish the race as quickly as possible.

Teamwork in Action: Each runner in the team must run their part as fast as they can and then pass the baton (or a beanbag) smoothly to the next person. If a runner drops the baton, a good teammate might shout “It’s okay, pick it up, let’s go!” instead of getting angry.

Everyone works together for one goal: for the team to win. Why is teamwork important here? One super-fast runner cannot win the relay race alone. The entire team has to work together. This shows how a team can achieve more than one person can alone. Guided Practice (With Solutions) Let's work through some examples together as a class.

Question 1: The Rule Breaker Scenario: We are playing musical chairs. The rule is that when the music stops, you must find a chair. The last person standing is out. Zola sees the teacher is about to stop the music, so she quickly sits down while the music is still playing.

Question: What rule did Zola break? Why does this make the game unfair? Solution and

Commentary: Zola broke the rule that you can only find a chair after the music stops. This is unfair because she gave herself an advantage that no one else had. The rule is there to make sure everyone has the same amount of time to find a chair. By breaking it, she spoils the fun and fairness of the game.

Question 2: Good Teamwork or Bad Teamwork?

Scenario: During a PE game, Sipho’s team is trying to score. Lerato is close to the goal and is open. Sipho has the ball but is far away and surrounded by players from the other team. He decides to try and score himself and misses badly.

Question: Did Sipho show good teamwork? What should he have done instead? Solution and

Commentary: Sipho did not show good teamwork. He was playing for himself, not for the team. He should have cooperated with his teammate and passed the ball to Lerato. Lerato had a much better chance of scoring. This shows that thinking about what is best for the team is more important than trying to be the only hero.

Question 3: Making our own Rules Activity: Let's imagine a new game called 'Bucket Ball'. The goal is to throw a beanbag into a bucket from a distance. As a class, let's create two important rules.

Question: What is one rule we should have about where players must stand? Why is this rule needed?

Solution and Commentary (Example): A good rule would be: “All players must stand with both feet behind the chalk line when they throw.” This rule is needed to ensure fairness. If some players stand closer than others, they will have an easier shot, which is not fair.