Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 3

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Explain the purpose of a warm-up.
• Demonstrate hopping, skipping, and jumping.
• Perform underhand throwing and catching.
• Understand the importance of a cool-down.

Lesson summary

Overview This lesson focuses on developing fundamental fitness and movement skills, which are crucial for a healthy and active life. In Grade 3, learners are full of energy, and channelling this into structured physical activity helps improve their coordination, balance, strength, and overall well-being. In the South African context, these skills are directly applicable to the indigenous games learners play at break time and in their communities, such as `kgati` (rope skipping) and `amagende` (hopscotch). By understanding the importance of warming up, participating in main activities, and cooling down, learners build a foundation for lifelong physical literacy.

Lesson notes

This lesson is all about moving our bodies to become stronger and healthier. We call this fitness. Being fit means you have enough energy to play with your friends, help at home, and focus on your schoolwork. Our PE lesson always has three important parts: Part 1: The Warm-Up (Getting Ready!) What is it? A warm-up is a set of gentle exercises we do at the beginning of PE to get our bodies ready for more active movement. Why do we do it? Think of your body like a car on a cold morning. You need to warm up the engine before you can drive fast. A warm-up wakes up your muscles, gets your heart beating a little faster, and sends more blood and oxygen all around your body. This helps prevent injuries like pulling a muscle. How do we do it? A good warm-up lasts for about 5 minutes and includes: Light Cardio: Gets your heart rate up.

Example:* Jogging on the spot, high knees, or butt kicks for 1 minute.

Dynamic Stretches: Moving your joints and muscles through their full range.

Example:* Arm circles (5 forward, 5 backward), leg swings (hold onto a wall and swing one leg forward and back 5 times, then switch), torso twists (stand with feet apart and twist your upper body from side to side).

Part 2: The Main Activity (The Fun Part!) This is where we learn and practice new skills. This week, we focus on hopping, skipping, jumping, and throwing/catching. Hopping What is it? Jumping and landing on the same foot.

How to do it: Stand on one leg. Bend your knee and spring up into the air. Land softly on the same foot. Use your arms to help you balance. It helps to look at one spot in front of you.

Example:* Let’s pretend we are flamingos! We can hop in a straight line from one cone to another. Or we can play `amagende` (hopscotch), where you have to hop in the single squares. Skipping What is it? A combination of a step and a hop. It’s like a happy, bouncy walk!

How to do it: Take a step forward with one foot, then do a little hop on that same foot. Then, do the same with the other foot. The rhythm is “step-hop, step-hop, step-hop”.

Example:* We can skip around the field in a big circle. Skipping is used in many fun games and dances, and is great for `kgati`! Jumping What is it? Pushing off with two feet and landing with two feet.

How to do it: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees and swing your arms back. Then, swing your arms forward and push off the ground with both feet. Try to land softly by bending your knees.

Example:* Let’s be frogs! We can do 5 big frog jumps forward. We can also practice jumping over a rope lying on the ground. Throwing and Catching What is it? A key skill for many ball games. It helps our hands and eyes work together (this is called hand-eye coordination).

How to Throw (Underhand): Hold the beanbag in your hand. Step forward with the foot opposite to your throwing hand. Swing your throwing arm back gently and then forward, releasing the beanbag towards your partner.

How to Catch: Stand ready with your hands out in front of you, making a “basket” or a “w” shape with your thumbs and fingers. Watch the beanbag all the way into your hands. As it touches your hands, pull them in slightly towards your body to catch it softly.

Example:* With a partner, stand 3 big steps apart. Gently toss the beanbag to each other. See how many you can catch in a row.

Part 3: The Cool-Down (Calming Down) What is it? A set of slow movements and gentle stretches we do at the end of the lesson. Why do we do it? After all the exciting activity, a cool-down helps our bodies to slow down gradually. It lets our heart rate return to normal and helps our muscles to relax. This can stop you from feeling stiff or sore the next day. How do we do it? A cool-down should last about 5 minutes.

Slow walking: Walk slowly around the area, taking deep breaths.

Static Stretches: Holding a stretch for 10-15 seconds without moving.

Example:* Touch your toes (or as far as you can go), stretch your arms across your chest, stretch your quad muscle by pulling your heel towards your bottom. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Activity 1: The Traffic Light Warm-up Question/Instruction: The teacher will be the 'traffic light'. When I shout 'Green Light!', everyone jogs gently around the space. When I shout 'Yellow Light!', everyone walks slowly. When I shout 'Red Light!', everyone must freeze in a balance pose (e.g., on one leg). Let's try for 2 minutes. Solution and

Commentary: This activity is a fun way to warm up the body. The 'Green Light' jogging increases heart rate. The 'Yellow Light' walking keeps the body moving but slows it down. The 'Red Light' freeze pose challenges balance, which is a key part of fitness. You all did a great job listening to the instructions and changing your speed and movement correctly.

Activity 2: The Movement Obstacle Course Question/Instruction: We will set up a simple course. First, you will hop 5 times along a line.