Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 3

Physical education: games, rules and teamwork – Week 10 focus

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Subject: Life Skills

Class: Grade 3

Term: 1st Term

Week: 10

Theme: General lesson support

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

Lesson summary

Physical education isn't just about running around! It's about learning how to work together, understand rules, and have fun while being active. These skills are essential for our lives here in South Africa. Imagine playing a game of morabaraba or skipping rope with friends – you need to understand the rules and work as a team, even if it's just a small team. These skills help us get along with others, solve problems, and stay healthy. Understanding teamwork teaches us the importance of Ubuntu – "I am because you are," emphasizing our interconnectedness and shared humanity, so vital to our South African culture.

Lesson notes

Teamwork: Teamwork means working together with other people towards a common goal. In games, this might mean passing a ball to a teammate, cheering each other on, or strategizing together to win. It's about understanding that everyone has a role to play and that we can achieve more when we collaborate.

Example: In a game of "Three-Legged Race," you need to work very closely with your partner. If one person runs too fast or too slow, you'll both fall! Good teamwork means communicating, staying in sync, and supporting each other. Think of how the Springboks rugby team works together – each player has a specific role, and they rely on each other to succeed.

Rules: Rules are guidelines that tell us how to play a game fairly and safely. They help everyone understand what is allowed and what is not. Without rules, games would be chaotic, and someone could get hurt.

Example:* In soccer, the rule that players can't use their hands (except the goalkeeper) ensures that everyone plays in the same way. If someone uses their hands to score a goal, it's not fair to the other team. This rule keeps the game fair and fun for everyone. Consider the rules of a traditional game like Diketo; knowing and following them is crucial for everyone to enjoy it and respect the tradition.

Fairness: Fairness means treating everyone equally and giving them a fair chance to participate and succeed. It means following the rules, respecting your opponents, and playing with integrity.

Example:* If you're playing a game of tag and someone trips and falls, it's fair to stop and help them up instead of tagging them while they're down. Fairness also means making sure everyone gets a turn and that nobody is excluded. Think about how elections work – every citizen has the right to vote; this is fairness in action.

Sportsmanship: Sportsmanship is about being a good sport, whether you win or lose. It means congratulating the winning team, accepting defeat gracefully, and always respecting your opponents and the rules of the game.

Example:* If your team loses a netball game, instead of getting angry, you can shake hands with the other team and say, "Well played!" This shows good sportsmanship. It's important to remember that the goal isn't always to win, but to have fun and learn something. Think of Siya Kolisi, captain of the Springboks; even after tough losses, he always shows respect and class. South African Games (

Example: Morabaraba): Morabaraba is a traditional South African board game played with pieces arranged on a grid. The goal is to capture your opponent's pieces and leave them with fewer pieces than you. The rules are specific about how pieces can be moved and captured. Understanding and following these rules is essential for playing the game correctly and respecting the tradition. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Name two things that make teamwork important in a game like "Pass the Ball." Solution: Two things that make teamwork important are: Passing accurately: Teammates need to be able to pass the ball to each other reliably.

Communicating: Teammates need to communicate about where they are and where they want the ball passed.

Commentary: This question highlights the practical aspects of teamwork in a simple game.

Question 2: Why is it important to follow the rules in a game of "Duck, Duck, Goose"? What might happen if you didn't?

Solution: It's important to follow the rules to make sure everyone plays fairly and has a good time. If you didn't follow the rules (e.g., tapping someone too hard, not saying "Goose!"), the game wouldn't be fair, and someone might get hurt or upset.

Commentary: This emphasizes safety and fairness in relation to rules.

Question 3: You are playing a soccer game, and you accidentally trip another player. What should you do?

Solution: I should help the player up and apologize, even though it was an accident. This shows good sportsmanship and respect.

Commentary: Focuses on ethical behavior and sportsmanship in a practical scenario.

Question 4: Explain one rule in a traditional South African game (e.g., Diketo, skipping rope games) and why that rule is important.

Solution: In Diketo, a key rule is that you must flick the 'diketo' pieces only with one hand without touching any other pieces. This rule is important because it makes the game challenging and requires skill and precision. Without this rule, the game would be too easy and less fun.

Commentary: Encourages knowledge and understanding of local games and cultural practices. Independent Practice (Questions Only) Why is teamwork important, even if your team doesn't win the game? Give an example of a time you showed good sportsmanship, even when you were disappointed. Imagine you're making up a new game. What are three important rules you would include to make it fair and fun for everyone? You see another player cheating during a game. What should you do?