Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade R

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Physical education is a vital part of Life Skills for Grade R learners in South Africa. It helps develop fundamental movement skills that are crucial for their overall development and well-being. This week, we focus on balance, coordination, and locomotion. These skills are essential for everyday activities, from walking to playing games, and build a foundation for more complex physical activities later in life. Developing these skills early on ensures that children are confident and capable in their movements, contributing to their physical health, cognitive development, and social interaction. Think about children running around the playground, playing soccer, or even carrying their school bags – all of these actions require balance, coordination, and locomotion. By mastering these skills, learners gain confidence and improve their overall quality of life.
• Learning Objectives (CAPS Aligned):
• By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to demonstrate static balance by standing on one leg for 5 seconds. (CAPS: LO1: Participate in physical activities)
• By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to coordinate their movements by throwing a ball and catching it two times in a row. (CAPS: LO1: Participate in physical activities)
• By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to demonstrate different locomotor skills by walking forward, backward, and sideways. (CAPS: LO1: Participate in physical activities)

Lesson summary

Physical education is a vital part of Life Skills for Grade R learners in South Africa. It helps develop fundamental movement skills that are crucial for their overall development and well-being. This week, we focus on balance, coordination, and locomotion. These skills are essential for everyday activities, from walking to playing games, and build a foundation for more complex physical activities later in life. Developing these skills early on ensures that children are confident and capable in their movements, contributing to their physical health, cognitive development, and social interaction.

Lesson notes

Balance: Balance is the ability to maintain equilibrium while stationary (static balance) or moving (dynamic balance). It involves using your muscles and senses to keep your body upright and stable. Good balance is important for walking, running, playing sports, and even sitting still.

Static Balance: Maintaining balance while not moving. Examples include standing still, standing on one leg, or balancing a book on your head.

Dynamic Balance: Maintaining balance while moving. Examples include walking, running, hopping, or riding a bicycle.

Coordination: Coordination is the ability to use different parts of your body together smoothly and efficiently. It involves the brain and muscles working together to perform a task with accuracy and control. Good coordination is necessary for activities such as throwing and catching a ball, writing, and playing musical instruments.

Hand-eye coordination: Coordinating the movement of your hands and eyes, such as catching a ball or writing.

Gross motor coordination: Coordinating large muscle movements, such as running and jumping.

Fine motor coordination: Coordinating small muscle movements, such as buttoning a shirt or drawing.

Locomotion: Locomotion refers to the ability to move from one place to another. It involves using various movement skills to travel across space. Common locomotor skills include walking, running, jumping, hopping, skipping, and galloping.

Walking: Moving on foot, one foot after the other.

Example: walking to the classroom.

Running: Moving quickly on foot, with both feet off the ground at some point.

Example: running during playtime.

Jumping: Pushing off the ground with one or two feet and landing on both feet or one foot.

Example: Jumping over a puddle.

Hopping: Jumping on one foot.

Example: Hopping like a bunny.

Skipping: A combination of a step and a hop.

Example: Skipping during a game.

Galloping: Moving forward with one foot leading and the other foot following.

Example: Galloping like a horse.

Examples for South African Learners: Balance: Imagine Thando balancing a container of water on her head while walking from the tap to her house (a common sight in some communities). This is an example of dynamic balance. Practicing balancing on one leg helps learners improve their ability to carry things and navigate uneven terrain.

Coordination: Think about Sipho playing soccer in the street. He needs good hand-eye coordination to kick the ball accurately and effectively. Practicing throwing and catching helps learners improve their ability to participate in sports and other physical activities.

Locomotion: Consider Zola walking to school with her friends. She uses walking, running (when she's late!), and sometimes skipping along the way. Practicing different locomotor skills helps learners become more confident and capable movers, allowing them to participate fully in their environment. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Stand with your feet together and try to balance. Now, lift one leg and try to balance on the other leg. Can you hold the balance for 3 seconds?

Solution: Step 1: Stand with feet together and arms out to the sides for stability.

Step 2: Slowly lift one leg off the ground, bending at the knee.

Step 3: Focus on a fixed point in front of you to help maintain balance.

Step 4: Hold the position for 3 seconds.

Commentary: This exercise focuses on static balance. Arms extended act as counterweights, and focusing on a point helps the brain stabilize. Practicing regularly increases balance and coordination.

Question 2: Throw a soft ball (like a tennis ball or a beanbag) up in the air and try to catch it with both hands. Do this three times.

Solution: Step 1: Hold the ball in one hand.

Step 2: Toss the ball gently up in the air, high enough to give yourself time to react.

Step 3: Watch the ball carefully as it comes down.

Step 4: Position your hands to catch the ball with both hands, forming a cup shape.

Step 5: Repeat three times.

Commentary: This focuses on hand-eye coordination. Throwing gently allows for more control, and the 'cup shape' technique helps secure the catch.

Question 3: Walk forward five steps, then turn around and walk backward five steps.

Solution: Step 1: Stand in a clear space with enough room to walk.

Step 2: Walk forward, taking five steps. Pay attention to where you are going.

Step 3: Turn around carefully.

Step 4: Walk backward, taking five steps. Be careful not to bump into anything.

Commentary: This exercise works on locomotion and spatial awareness. Walking backward requires more concentration and coordination than walking forward.

Question 4: Hop on one foot five times, then switch to the other foot and hop five times.

Solution: Step 1: Stand on one foot, lifting the other foot off the ground.

Step 2: Use your arms for balance and hop forward five times on the supporting foot.

Step 3: Switch to the other foot and repeat the hopping motion five times.