Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade R

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Balance on one foot for 5 seconds.
• Throw and catch a large ball.
• Show different movements like walking, running, and hopping.
• Follow simple instructions during games.
• Play well with friends in activities.

Lesson summary

Physical education is a very important part of Life Skills for Grade R learners. In Week 5, we're focusing on balance, coordination, and locomotion. These skills are vital because they help children develop control over their bodies, which is essential for everything from playing games and participating in sports to performing everyday tasks like walking, running, and even writing neatly. Strong balance helps us avoid falls and injuries. Coordination allows us to smoothly combine different movements, like catching a ball or getting dressed. Locomotion refers to moving from one place to another, which includes walking, running, hopping, and skipping.

Lesson notes

Balance: Balance is the ability to maintain a stable position, whether standing still (static balance) or moving (dynamic balance). Imagine trying to carry a bucket of water on your head like some women do in rural South African communities! That requires excellent balance. It’s about keeping your body from falling over. Our inner ear, our eyes, and our muscles all work together to help us balance.

Static Balance: This is when you are holding still, like standing on one foot or balancing a book on your head.

Dynamic Balance: This is when you are moving, like walking on a line or riding a bicycle.

Coordination: Coordination is the ability to use different parts of your body together smoothly and efficiently. Think about a soccer player kicking a ball – they need to coordinate their eyes, legs, and feet to kick the ball accurately. Good coordination helps us perform tasks with accuracy and grace.

Hand-Eye Coordination: Using your eyes to guide your hand movements, like catching a ball or drawing a picture.

Gross Motor Coordination: Using large muscle groups for movements like running, jumping, and throwing.

Locomotion: Locomotion means moving from one place to another. It includes different ways of moving, such as walking, running, hopping, skipping, crawling, and rolling. In South Africa, children use various forms of locomotion every day to get to school, play with friends, and explore their surroundings.

Walking: Moving on two feet at a steady pace.

Running: Moving quickly on two feet.

Hopping: Jumping on one foot.

Skipping: A combination of a hop and a step.

Crawling: Moving on your hands and knees.

Rolling: Turning over and over on the ground.

Worked example

Balancing like a Flamingo: Imagine you are a flamingo standing in a dam in KwaZulu-Natal. Try standing on one foot. Can you hold it for 5 seconds? Then try the other foot. Why is this important? Because being able to balance helps us avoid falling when walking on uneven surfaces like a rocky path.

Throwing and Catching: Pretend you are a cricket player. Your friend bowls the ball and you need to catch it. Use a large, soft ball to start. Focus on watching the ball and moving your hands to catch it. Why is this important? Because good hand-eye coordination helps us play games and perform tasks like writing or using tools.

Animal Locomotion: Let's move like different animals! Walk like an elephant, hop like a frog, crawl like a lion, waddle like a duck, and slither like a snake. Each movement uses different muscles and helps us become more aware of our bodies. Why is this important? Because experiencing different movements helps us develop better control over our bodies and explore the world in new ways.

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question: Can you stand on one leg while closing your eyes for 3 seconds? Try it!

Solution: First, find a safe space where you won't bump into anything if you lose your balance. Slowly lift one foot off the ground, focusing on a point in front of you to help maintain balance. Gently close your eyes and try to hold the position for 3 seconds. Repeat with the other leg.

Commentary: Closing your eyes makes it harder because you are relying less on your sight and more on your inner ear and muscles to maintain balance.

Question: Can you throw a ball up in the air and catch it with both hands? Try throwing the ball under your leg first, then catch it.

Solution: Use a soft ball, like a tennis ball or a slightly deflated soccer ball to prevent injury. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Toss the ball gently into the air, keeping your eyes on it, and then reach out with both hands to catch it. Then try throwing the ball under your leg and catching it.

Commentary: This activity practices hand-eye coordination and helps you judge distances and timing. Throwing the ball under the leg adds to the difficulty of the activity, developing gross motor skills and hand eye coordination.

Question: Can you walk heel-to-toe in a straight line like you are walking on a tightrope?

Solution: Find a straight line on the floor or draw one with chalk outside. Place the heel of one foot directly in front of the toes of the other foot. Continue this pattern, focusing on keeping your balance and staying on the line. Look ahead to help keep balanced.

Commentary: This activity challenges your dynamic balance and coordination. It also improves your focus and concentration.

Question: Can you hop on one foot from one point to another, then hop back on the other foot? Make a path with blocks and try hopping over the blocks.

Solution: Choose a safe and clear space. Select a point A to point B. Hop on one foot from the starting point to point A. Turn around and hop on your other foot back to the starting point. Now, create a small obstacle course using blocks, and try hopping over them using one foot, then hop back using the other foot.

Commentary: This exercise helps you strengthen your leg muscles and improve your coordination. Changing feet adds to the balancing ability.

Independent Practice (Questions Only)

Stand on one foot. Close your eyes and count to

1

0.

Throw a ball against a wall and catch it. How many times can you do this without dropping the ball?

Walk backwards for 10 steps.

Skip around a circle.

Crawl under a table or chairs.

Roll from one side of a mat to the other.

Create your own obstacle course using pillows and toys, and then navigate it by walking, running, hopping, and crawling.

Walk sideways like a crab for 5 steps.

Balance a beanbag on your head while walking.

Do 5 star jumps (jumping jacks).