Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade R

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

• This week's Physical Education lesson focuses on the fundamental movement skills of balance, coordination, and locomotion. These skills are the building blocks for nearly all physical activities and are crucial for the holistic development of Grade R learners. In the South African context, where children often play outdoors in varied environments, mastering these skills is essential for safety, confidence, and social integration. Whether it's navigating an uneven pavement in the community, playing a game of soccer in the park, or participating in traditional games like amagende (hopscotch), a strong foundation in balance, coordination, and locomotion enables children to participate fully and safely. This lesson aims to develop these skills through fun, play-based activities that encourage exploration and body awareness.
• Learning Objectives:
• By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:
• Demonstrate static balance by standing on one foot for at least 3-5 seconds.
• Demonstrate dynamic balance by walking along a 3-metre straight line (e.g., masking tape on the floor) without stepping off.

Lesson summary

This week's Physical Education lesson focuses on the fundamental movement skills of balance, coordination, and locomotion. These skills are the building blocks for nearly all physical activities and are crucial for the holistic development of Grade R learners. In the South African context, where children often play outdoors in varied environments, mastering these skills is essential for safety, confidence, and social integration.

Lesson notes

This section breaks down the core concepts for the teacher's understanding. These concepts should be explained to learners through demonstration and simple, active language.

A. Balance What it is: Balance is the ability to control your body's position and stay upright, whether you are standing still or moving. It's about not falling over!

Static Balance: This is balancing in one spot, without moving.

Example for learners:* "Pretend you are a tall meerkat looking out for your family. Stand very still on two feet. Now, can you be a flamingo and lift one leg? See how your body has to work to stay still?" Dynamic Balance: This is balancing while you are moving.

Example for learners:* "When you walk on a narrow wall or a line on the ground, you are using your moving balance. Your body makes tiny changes to stop you from falling off." Why it's important: Good balance is crucial for almost every movement, from walking and running to riding a bicycle. It prevents falls and injuries and gives children the confidence to try new physical activities.

B. Coordination What it is: Coordination is the ability to make different parts of your body work together smoothly and efficiently. It's about your brain telling your body what to do, and your body doing it correctly.

Hand-Eye Coordination: This is using your eyes to guide the movement of your hands.

Example for learners:* "When you throw a beanbag at a target, your eyes tell your hand where to aim and when to let go. When you catch a ball, your eyes track the ball and tell your hands where to go to meet it." Foot-Eye Coordination: Similar to hand-eye, but with your feet.

Example for learners:* "Kicking a soccer ball towards a goal is a great example. Your eyes watch the ball, and you tell your foot just where to kick it." Why it's important: Coordination is vital for tasks like writing, cutting with scissors, tying shoelaces, and playing sports. It connects seeing with doing.

C. Locomotion What it is: Locomotion is simply the act of moving your body from one place to another. There are many ways to do this!

Key Locomotor Skills for Grade R: Walking: Moving with one foot always on the ground.

Running: Moving faster than walking, with moments where both feet are off the ground.

Hopping: Moving by taking off and landing on the same foot.

Jumping: Taking off from two feet and landing on two feet.

Skipping: A combination of a step and a hop (step-hop, step-hop).

Galloping: Moving forward with one foot leading (like a horse).

Why it's important: These are the foundational skills for games, sports, and general physical fitness. Developing a variety of locomotor skills gives children more ways to move and play. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Activity 1: Flamingo Balance Task: "Let's all pretend to be beautiful pink flamingos standing in the water. Can you stand on one leg while I count to five? Remember to keep your 'tummy' tight and look at one spot on the wall to help you balance. Now, let's try the other leg!" Solution &

Commentary: The teacher demonstrates first, holding their arms out to the side for balance. The "solution" is a successful demonstration of balance for 5 seconds.

The commentary would be: "Well done! I saw some of you wobble, and that's okay! Wobbling is your body learning to balance. Using your arms like airplane wings helps a lot. Focusing your eyes on something that isn't moving also tells your brain how to stay still." Activity 2: Beanbag Target Toss Task: Place several hula hoops on the floor, about 1.5 to 2 metres away. Give each child a beanbag. "Your mission is to feed the hungry hoop! Can you toss your beanbag so it lands inside the hoop? Try throwing it gently from underneath, like you're scooping something." Solution &

Commentary: The teacher demonstrates the underhand throw: step forward with the opposite foot (e.g., left foot forward if throwing with the right hand), swing the arm back, and release the beanbag towards the target.

The commentary would be: "Excellent throwing! Did you see how I stepped with my other foot? That helps my body stay balanced and gives my throw more power. This game helps our eyes and hands work together as a team." Activity 3: The Animal Parade Task: "We are going on an animal parade! First, let's move like a bear. Put your hands and feet on the floor and walk across the mat. Now, let's be bunnies! Put your feet together and take big jumps forward. Hop, hop, hop!" Solution &

Commentary: The teacher leads the parade, demonstrating each movement clearly. The solution is the correct execution of the animal walks.

The commentary would be: "Look at our amazing animal parade! The bear walk makes our arms and legs strong. The bunny hop teaches us how to use both feet together to push off the ground. This is how we learn to move our bodies in different, fun ways!" Independent Practice (Questions Only) Set up these activities as stations for small groups to rotate through.