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**Lesson Plan: Health Habits - Exercise II**
**Grade Level:** Nursery 1
**Duration:** 30 minutes
**Objective:**
1. To introduce children to the benefits of exercise.
2. To engage students in a fun and simple physical activity.
3. To instill early habits of physical exercise.
**Materials:**
- A classroom safe for physical activity
- Music player with upbeat music
- Flashcards with pictures of different exercises (jumping jacks, running, stretching, etc.)
- Small mats or soft surface for floor exercises
- Stickers or small rewards
**Introduction (5 minutes):**
- Begin with a friendly greeting.
- Briefly explain to the children what exercise is and why it is important. Use simple words and expressive gestures.
- Example: "Exercise helps our bodies be strong and healthy! It's like giving your body a big hug!"
**Warm-Up (5 minutes):**
- Lead the children in a simple warm-up to get them excited and ready for moving.
- Use a music player to play a fun, upbeat song.
- Examples of warm-up activities:
- March in place
- Wiggle fingers and toes
- Gentle arm circles
- Touch toes and reach for the sky
**Main Activity (15 minutes):**
1. **Exercise Flashcards:**
- Show flashcards with different exercises.
- Demonstrate each exercise and have children mimic your movements.
- Exercises to include:
- Jumping Jacks: "Let's pretend we're jumping like a frog!"
- Running in place: "Run in one spot like we're dashing to catch a butterfly!"
- Stretching: "Reach up high to pick some apples from the tree!"
- Squats: "Squat down as if we're sitting on an invisible chair."
2. **Interactive Exercise Routine:**
- Guide children through a structured routine combining 3-4 simple exercises.
- Use cues and music to make transitions fun and engaging.
- Example Routine:
- 10 seconds of jumping jacks
- 10 seconds of running in place
- 10 seconds of stretching up and down
- 10 seconds of squatting and standing up
- Repeat the routine twice.
**Cool Down (5 minutes):**
- Lead the children in a gentle cool-down with calming music.
- Activities can include:
- Deep breathing: "Take a big breath in and blow it out slow like you're blowing out birthday candles."
- Gentle stretches: "Let’s stretch out like a stretchy cat waking up."
- Quiet sitting: "Let's sit down quietly and pat ourselves on the back for doing a great job!"
**Closing (2 minutes):**
- Gather the children around and ask them how they feel after exercising.
- Praise their participation and effort.
- Hand out stickers or small rewards to everyone as recognition.
- Remind them how good and important it is to exercise every day.
**Assessment:**
- Observe the children’s participation and enthusiasm during the activities.
- Note their ability to follow simple instructions and mimic the exercises.
- Provide positive reinforcement and encouragement throughout the lesson.
**Follow-Up Activity:**
- Send home a note to parents with a brief summary of the lesson.
- Include simple exercises they can try at home with their child to reinforce the habit of regular physical activity.
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