Year 7-8 PE & Health Lesson Plan: Team Fitness Challenge

Overview

This lesson plan is designed for Year 7-8 students in New Zealand, focusing on enhancing physical fitness and teamwork skills. It aligns with the Health and Physical Education learning area of The New Zealand Curriculum at Level 4.

Lesson Duration:

45 minutes

Class Size:

28 students

Learning Objectives:

• Improve overall fitness through aerobic and strength-building activities.
• Develop teamwork and cooperative skills in a group setting.
• Understand the importance of physical activity for health and wellbeing.

Curriculum Links:

• Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum, Level 4, Strand A and D:
  • Strand A: Personal Health and Physical Development.
  • Strand D: Relationships with Other People.

Lesson Plan

Materials Needed:

• Cones for marking areas
• Stopwatch or timer
• Whistle
• Station signs and instructions
• Basketballs, footballs, and other sports equipment as needed
• Water bottles for all students

Lesson Structure:

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Begin with a brief talk on the importance of physical fitness and teamwork.
• Explain the activities and the station rotation model to be employed during the class.

Warm-up (5 minutes)

• Activity: Dynamic stretching and light jogging around the play area.
• Purpose: To increase heart rate and prepare the muscles for the exercise.

Main Activity: Team Fitness Circuit (30 minutes)

• Divide the class into 5 groups of approximately 6 students each. Each group starts at a different station and will rotate after 6 minutes.
• Stations:
  1. Aerobic Relay: Set up a relay race where students tag each other before running. Include zig-zag running between cones to incorporate agility.
  2. Strength Station: Simple body-weight exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, and squat jumps.
  3. Ball Skills: Use basketballs or footballs for dribbling skills or target throws, enhancing coordination and control.
  4. Team Strategy Challenges: Problem-solving activities that require the team to plan and execute a task together (e.g., moving a ball from one end to the other using only ropes).
  5. Agility Ladder: Quick feet drills using an agility ladder to improve speed and coordination.
• Guidance: Teachers circulate among stations, offering encouragement and ensuring the activities are performed safely.

Cool Down (5 minutes)

• Activity: Slow walking and static stretching focusing on major muscle groups used during the lesson.
• Discussion: Quick debrief on what was learned about teamwork and physical fitness.

Assessment:

• Observe student participation and engagement at each station. Note improvements in teamwork skills and physical ability.
• Listen to student reflections during the debrief to gauge their understanding of the importance of fitness and working together.

Safety Considerations:

• Ensure all equipment is safe and appropriate for student use.
• Monitor students carefully during physical activities to prevent injuries.
• Keep hydration stations available for students to maintain hydration.

Additional Resources:

For more detailed instructions on the specific exercises or student handouts discussing the benefits of physical activity, please refer to resources available on TKI - Health and Physical Education.

By integrating physical fitness with teamwork activities, this lesson plan aims not only to improve students’ physical capabilities but also to enhance their social and cooperative skills, essential elements in the holistic development of young individuals according to New Zealand educational standards.