Standards Alignment
- TEKS.PE.4.02A primary
transfer body weight over, under, and on equipment with good control; and - TEKS.PE.4.02B primary
move into and out of various combinations of bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying in a variety of activities.
Lesson Overview
This Grade 4 physical education lesson focuses on developing competency in fundamental non-locomotor movement skills. Students will learn to transfer their body weight over, under, and on equipment with good control and move into and out of various combinations of bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying. The lesson emphasizes safe practice, control, and body awareness, aligned with TEKS standards TEKS.PE.4.02A and TEKS.PE.4.02B.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate transferring body weight over, under, and on equipment with good control.
- Perform various combinations of bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying movements with control and coordination.
Success Criteria
- Students can safely and smoothly transfer their body weight over, under, and on equipment without losing balance.
- Students can move into and out of combinations of bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying with control and fluidity.
- Students demonstrate awareness of body position and control during non-locomotor movements.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should have basic awareness of their body in space and be able to follow simple movement instructions. Prior experience with simple bending, stretching, and twisting movements will support learning.
Key Vocabulary
- Non-locomotor skills
- Body weight transfer
- Bending
- Stretching
- Twisting
- Curling
- Pushing
- Pulling
- Swaying
- Control
- Balance
Materials and Resources
- Soft gym mats or carpeted area
- Low equipment such as benches, balance beams, or sturdy boxes for transferring body weight
- Cones or markers to designate movement stations
Teacher Preparation
- Set up equipment stations for transferring body weight over, under, and on.
- Prepare a safe practice area free of hazards.
- Plan demonstration sequences breaking down each movement into manageable steps.
- Prepare safety reminders and cues to share with students.
Detailed Lesson Notes
Understanding Non-Locomotor Skills
Non-locomotor skills are movements performed without traveling from one place to another. These include bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying. Developing control in these movements helps students improve body awareness, balance, and coordination.
Transferring Body Weight with Control
Transferring body weight means shifting your weight from one part of your body to another or moving your whole body over, under, or on equipment. Good control means doing this smoothly without losing balance or falling. For example, stepping over a low bench requires shifting weight from one foot to the other while maintaining balance.
Combining Movement Patterns
Moving into and out of combinations of bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying helps students develop flexibility and coordination. These combinations can be practiced in sequences or routines, encouraging fluid transitions and control.
Safety and Control in Movement
Safety is essential when transferring body weight on equipment. Students should be reminded to move slowly and carefully, watch their body position, and stop if they feel unstable. Teachers should demonstrate correct techniques and provide immediate feedback to prevent injury.
Breaking Down Skills into Manageable Steps
To help students learn complex movements, break the skill into smaller parts. For example, when transferring body weight over equipment, first practice stepping up, then stepping over, then stepping down. This approach builds confidence and control.
Worked Examples
Worked Example 1
Scenario
A student is asked to transfer their body weight over a low bench. Describe the steps they should follow to do this with good control.
Explanation
The student should first approach the bench and place one foot on it, shifting their body weight onto that foot. Then, they lift the other foot over the bench while maintaining balance. Finally, they place the second foot down on the other side and shift their weight fully over the bench. Moving slowly and focusing on balance helps maintain control.
Answer Guide
Step 1: Place one foot on the bench and shift weight onto it. Step 2: Lift the other foot over the bench while balancing. Step 3: Place the second foot down on the other side and shift weight fully over the bench, moving slowly to keep control.
Worked Example 2
Scenario
Explain how a student can combine bending, twisting, and swaying movements in a single activity.
Explanation
The student can start by bending forward at the waist, then twist their torso to one side while maintaining the bend, and finally sway their upper body side to side while holding the twisted position. This combination requires coordination and control to move smoothly between each movement without losing balance.
Answer Guide
The student bends forward, twists their torso to one side while bent, and then sways side to side, moving smoothly and maintaining balance throughout.
Engage
Teacher Activity
Introduce the lesson by asking students what non-locomotor movements they know and where they use them in daily life or sports. Show examples of transferring body weight over, under, and on equipment.
Student Activity
Students share examples of non-locomotor movements they have done and observe the teacher's demonstration of body weight transfer.
Explanation
This phase activates prior knowledge and sets the purpose for learning non-locomotor skills and body weight transfer.
Examples
- Students can name some non-locomotor movements like bending or twisting.
- Students watch attentively as the teacher demonstrates transferring body weight.
Explore
Teacher Activity
Set up stations with equipment for students to practice transferring body weight over, under, and on. Demonstrate each movement with safety cues and break down steps.
Student Activity
Students rotate through stations practicing transferring body weight with control, trying different combinations of bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying.
Explanation
Students actively practice the key movement skills in a controlled environment with teacher guidance and feedback.
Examples
- Students attempt transferring body weight over, under, and on equipment with varying control.
- Students experiment with combinations of movements and adjust to maintain balance and control.
Explain
Teacher Activity
Discuss with students the importance of control and body awareness during these movements. Highlight common mistakes and how to correct them.
Student Activity
Students reflect on their practice and describe how they maintained control and what was challenging.
Explanation
This phase clarifies concepts and reinforces understanding of movement control and safety.
Examples
- Students articulate the role of control and body awareness.
- Students identify challenges and strategies to improve movement.
Elaborate
Teacher Activity
Challenge students to create a short sequence combining at least three different non-locomotor movements and transferring body weight on equipment.
Student Activity
Students design and perform their movement sequences, focusing on smooth transitions and control.
Explanation
Students apply their skills creatively, demonstrating competency in combining movements and transferring body weight.
Examples
- Students perform sequences with combinations of movements and body weight transfer.
- Students show increasing control and creativity.
Evaluate
Teacher Activity
Observe students performing the movement sequences and provide feedback. Ask students to explain how they controlled their body weight and combined movements.
Student Activity
Students perform their sequences and explain their movement choices and control strategies.
Explanation
Assessment confirms students’ understanding and ability to demonstrate non-locomotor skills with control.
Examples
- Students demonstrate controlled body weight transfer and combinations of movements.
- Students explain their movement strategies clearly.
Classroom Activity
Students rotate through stations practicing transferring body weight with control, trying different combinations of bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying.
Guided Practice
Guided Practice 1
Prompt
What does it mean to transfer your body weight with good control?
Teacher Answer Guide
It means shifting your body weight smoothly and carefully without losing balance or falling.
Guided Practice 2
Prompt
Name three non-locomotor movements you can combine in an activity.
Teacher Answer Guide
Bending, twisting, and stretching.
Guided Practice 3
Prompt
Describe how you would move your body under a low bar safely and with control.
Teacher Answer Guide
By bending knees and hips to lower the body, moving slowly, keeping the head down, and shifting weight carefully to avoid hitting the bar or losing balance.
Guided Practice 4
Prompt
Why is it important to break down a complex movement like transferring body weight over equipment into smaller steps?
Teacher Answer Guide
Because it helps learn each part carefully, build confidence, maintain control, and reduce injury risk.
Guided Practice 5
Prompt
Create a short sequence using at least three non-locomotor movements and explain how you maintain control throughout the sequence.
Teacher Answer Guide
A sequence like bending forward, twisting right, and swaying side to side, moving slowly and focusing on balance and body position to maintain control.
Independent Practice
- Foundational: What does it mean to transfer your body weight with good control?
- Developing: Name three non-locomotor movements you can combine in an activity.
- Application: Describe how you would move your body under a low bar safely and with control.
- Analysis: Why is it important to break down a complex movement like transferring body weight over equipment into smaller steps?
- Challenge: Create a short sequence using at least three non-locomotor movements and explain how you maintain control throughout the sequence.
Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key
- 1. It means shifting your body weight from one part to another smoothly and carefully without losing balance or falling.
- 2. Bending, twisting, and stretching.
- 3. I would bend my knees and hips to lower my body, keep my head down, move slowly under the bar, and shift my weight carefully to avoid hitting the bar or losing balance.
- 4. Breaking down the movement helps students learn each part carefully, build confidence, maintain control, and reduce the risk of injury.
- 5. A sequence could be bending forward, twisting to the right, then swaying side to side. To maintain control, I move slowly between each movement, keep my balance by focusing on my body position, and use my arms for stability if needed.
Guiding Questions
- What does it mean to transfer your body weight with control?
- How can you combine different movements smoothly?
- Why is safety important when moving on equipment?
- How do you know if you are maintaining good control?
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think transferring body weight quickly is better, but moving slowly helps maintain control and safety.
- Some students may confuse non-locomotor skills with locomotor skills; non-locomotor skills do not involve traveling from one place to another.
- Students might believe that twisting or bending can be done without control, but poor control can lead to loss of balance or injury.
Differentiation
Support and Intervention
Provide physical guidance or demonstrations for students who need help understanding the movements. Use simpler equipment or lower heights for transferring body weight. Allow extra practice time at stations with teacher support.
English-Language Learner Support
Use clear, simple language and demonstrate each movement slowly. Use pictures or videos to show non-locomotor movements and body weight transfer. Pair ELL students with peers for modeling and practice.
Advanced and Extension
Challenge students to create longer sequences combining more complex movement patterns. Encourage students to explore transferring body weight on different types of equipment safely. Introduce concepts of rhythm and timing in movement sequences.
Assessment
- Observe students practicing transferring body weight and combinations of movements, providing immediate feedback.
- Ask students to explain the steps they use to transfer body weight safely.
- Use quick exit questions asking students to name non-locomotor movements they practiced.
- Demonstrate transferring your body weight over a piece of equipment with control.
- List three non-locomotor movements you used today.
- Explain why control is important when moving on equipment.
- Have students perform a short routine combining transferring body weight and non-locomotor movements.
- Ask students to write or verbally explain how they maintain control and safety during these movements.
Answer Guide
- What does it mean to transfer your body weight with good control?
Answer: It means shifting your body weight smoothly and carefully without losing balance or falling. - Name three non-locomotor movements you can combine in an activity.
Answer: Bending, twisting, and stretching. - Describe how you would move your body under a low bar safely and with control.
Answer: By bending knees and hips to lower the body, moving slowly, keeping the head down, and shifting weight carefully to avoid hitting the bar or losing balance. - Why is it important to break down a complex movement like transferring body weight over equipment into smaller steps?
Answer: Because it helps learn each part carefully, build confidence, maintain control, and reduce injury risk. - Create a short sequence using at least three non-locomotor movements and explain how you maintain control throughout the sequence.
Answer: A sequence like bending forward, twisting right, and swaying side to side, moving slowly and focusing on balance and body position to maintain control.
Real-Life Application
Invite students to practice bending, stretching, twisting, and transferring their weight safely at home, such as stepping over objects or reaching while maintaining balance, and share their experiences in the next class.
Homework or Home Connection
- Invite students to practice bending, stretching, twisting, and transferring their weight safely at home, such as stepping over objects or reaching while maintaining balance, and share their experiences in the next class.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson, students learned to transfer their body weight over, under, and on equipment with good control and to move into and out of combinations of bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying. Emphasis was placed on safety, control, and body awareness. Through practice, demonstration, and reflection, students developed fundamental non-locomotor skills essential for physical literacy.
Teacher Notes
Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.