Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 1

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

• Keep your own personal space.
• Move in different directions.
• Change your speed from slow to fast.
• Follow simple movement instructions.
• Balance on one leg.

Lesson summary

This lesson focuses on developing fundamental movement skills and spatial awareness in Grade 1 learners. In South Africa, our communities are vibrant with activity, from playing in the schoolyard to participating in traditional games. Mastering basic movements like changing direction, varying speed, and understanding personal space is crucial for safe and enjoyable participation in physical activities. These skills form the foundation for more complex sports and recreational activities later in life.

Furthermore, developing body awareness and control contributes significantly to a child's confidence, social interaction, and overall well-being.

Lesson notes

This section breaks down the core ideas learners will explore. The teacher should use simple language, demonstrations, and repetition. a.

Personal Space: Your 'Body Bubble' What it is: Personal space is the invisible bubble all around you. It’s your own special space that nobody should come into without your permission. When we are running and playing, we need to be careful of our own and others' body bubbles to stay safe.

Why it's important: Keeping a safe space around us stops us from bumping, tripping, or falling over our friends. It shows respect for others. Think about standing in a queue at the spaza shop; you don't stand right on top of the person in front of you.

How to teach it: Use a hula hoop. Ask a learner to stand inside it. Explain, "This hoop is like your personal space bubble. When we move, we must try not to let our bubbles touch." b.

Directions: Where Are You Going?

What they are: Directions tell us which way to move our bodies.

Forwards: Moving towards the front, the way you are looking.

Example: Walking to the front of the classroom to show the teacher your work.

Backwards: Moving back without turning around. This requires care!

Example: Taking a few careful steps back to give someone more space.

Sideways: Moving to the left or right, like a crab scuttling on the sand.

Example: Side-stepping along a line during a warm-up.

How to teach it: Use clear hand signals along with verbal cues. Point forwards when you say "Forwards!". Use cones or markers as targets for learners to move towards. c.

Speed: How Fast Can You Go?

What it is: Speed is about how fast or slow you are moving.

Fast: Moving quickly, like a cheetah chasing its prey or when you hear the final whistle in a soccer game. It's important to still be in control.

Slow: Moving carefully and gently, like a tortoise walking or when you are tiptoeing so as not to wake a baby.

Why it's important: Learning to control our speed helps us in games. Sometimes you need to run fast to score a goal, and other times you need to move slowly to sneak up on someone in a game of hide-and-seek.

How to teach it: Use animal analogies. "Show me how you move like a fast springbok!" and "Now, move as slowly as a chameleon." A drum or tambourine can be used: a fast beat for fast movement, a slow beat for slow movement. d.

Balance: Don't Wobble and Fall!

What it is: Balance is being able to keep your body steady and not fall over, whether you are standing still or moving.

Why it's important: We need balance for almost everything! Walking on an uneven pavement, standing on one leg to kick a ball, or even just sitting properly in a chair. Good balance prevents injuries.

How to teach it: Use static balance poses. "Let's pretend to be a tall Marula tree with strong roots. Stand on both feet." Then, "Now let's be a flamingo standing in the water. Lift one foot up. Can you hold it?" Encourage learners to focus on a spot that isn't moving to help them concentrate. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Activity 1: The Space Bubble Game Task: The teacher tells the learners: "Find your own space on the field. Stretch your arms out wide and turn in a circle. That is your personal space bubble. Now, I want you to start walking slowly around the area. The only rule is you cannot touch anyone else or pop their bubble. When I clap my hands, you must freeze!" Worked Solution/

Commentary: The teacher walks among the learners, giving positive reinforcement. "Excellent, Thabo, you are looking where you are going and keeping your bubble safe!" If two learners are too close, the teacher can guide them: "Nomsa and Lindiwe, can you see your bubbles are about to touch? Take one giant step away from each other." The solution is for learners to successfully navigate the space, and the 'freeze' command allows the teacher to assess and correct spacing in a fun way.

Activity 2: Red Light, Green Light (Traffic Robot Game)

Task: The teacher explains: "I am the traffic robot! When I shout 'Green Light!' and hold up something green, you can move forwards. When I shout 'Red Light!' and hold up red, you must STOP immediately. When I shout 'Yellow Light!' and hold up yellow, you must walk very slowly.

Let's add a new rule: 'Reverse!' means walk backwards carefully." Worked Solution/

Commentary: The teacher leads the game, observing if learners can change speed and direction according to the cues. A successful outcome is seeing a learner immediately freeze on 'Red Light' or slow down on 'Yellow Light'. The teacher can comment, "I love how quickly everyone froze when I said Red Light! That shows you are listening and have good body control." Activity 3: Follow the Leader in Different Pathways Task: The teacher is the first leader. "Everyone, stand in a line behind me. You must copy exactly what I do. Are you ready?" The teacher then leads the learners in a straight line, then changes to a zig-zag or curved pathway around imaginary objects.