Grade R Life Skills Lesson Plan: Fun with Movement and Physical Activity

Lesson Plan Title:
Grade R Life Skills Lesson Plan: Fun with Movement and Physical Activity

Materials Needed:
– Cones or markers
– Bean bags
– Music player with child-friendly songs
– Hula hoops
– Whistle
– Large open space (preferably outside or a gymnasium)

Learning Objectives:
– Students will participate in introductory physical activities to develop their gross motor skills.
– Students will learn to follow basic instructions and move safely within a space.
– Students will engage in cooperative play and develop social interaction skills.

Vocabulary:
1. Gross Motor Skills – Movements that use large muscle groups, such as running and jumping.
2. Balance – The ability to maintain an upright position.
3. Coordination – The ability to use different parts of the body smoothly and efficiently together.
4. Movement – The act of changing physical position.
5. Safety – Actions taken to avoid danger and prevent injury.

Previous Learning:
Previously, students have been introduced to basic spatial awareness and simple movement activities such as walking, hopping, and crawling in designated areas.

Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:
– Challenge: Some students may find it difficult to follow multi-step instructions.
Solution: Break instructions into smaller, simpler steps and use visual aids.
– Challenge: Students might struggle with maintaining balance.
Solution: Provide individual support and practice balancing activities often.

Beginning Activities: (4 minutes)
1. Warm-Up:
a. Greet students and briefly explain the objectives of the lesson.
b. Engage students in a fun, simple warm-up exercise such as “Simon Says” using movements like touching toes, jumping jacks, and arm circles.

Middle Activities: (32 minutes)
1. Activity 1: Colour Run (8 minutes)
a. Place coloured cones around the play area.
b. Play music and have students move around the area in different ways (running, skipping, hopping).
c. When the music stops, call out a colour, and students must quickly find and stand by a cone of that colour.

1. Activity 2: Bean Bag Balance (8 minutes)
   a. Students balance a bean bag on different parts of their body (head, shoulder).
   b. They walk from one point to another without dropping the bean bag.
2. Activity 3: Obstacle Course (8 minutes)
   a. Set up a simple obstacle course with hula hoops to jump through, cones to weave around, and a line to walk along for balance.
   b. Guide students through the course one by one, offering encouragement and support.
3. Activity 4: Cooperative Games (8 minutes)
   a. Play a game of “Follow the Leader” where students mimic the movements of the leader.
   b. Introduce a simple cooperative game such as “Parachute Play,” where students work together to keep a lightweight parachute or large sheet in the air with a ball on top.

End Activities: (4 minutes)
1. Cool Down:
a. Lead the students in a cooldown routine with gentle stretches.
b. Have a brief discussion about what they enjoyed and learned today. Emphasise the importance of physical activity and safety.

Assessment and Checks for Understanding:
– Observe students during activities to assess their ability to follow directions and engage in gross motor skills activities successfully.
– Conduct a quick question-and-answer session during cooldown to check understanding of the terms and concepts introduced.

Differentiation Strategies for Diverse Learners:
– For students needing extra support, offer one-on-one assistance during activities and use visual and verbal cues.
– For more advanced students, add additional challenges such as faster paces or more complex movement patterns.

Teaching Notes:
– Ensure all activities are safe and age-appropriate, avoiding complex or overly competitive tasks.
– Keep the atmosphere positive and energetic to foster a love for physical activity.
– Accommodate students with physical disabilities by modifying activities to ensure participation.

Accessibility Considerations:
– Offer adaptive equipment as necessary (e.g., lighter bean bags, larger hoops).
– Ensure the play area is free of obstacles that could cause falls or injuries.
– Use visual aids and sign language for instructions if needed.