Can-Do Fun

Overview

Curriculum Area: Health and Physical Education, Level 1
Age Group: 5-7 years (Year 2)
Duration: 25 minutes
Class Size: 24 students

Objectives

• Foster resilience and independence in students by encouraging them to attempt and complete various tasks.
• Promote a positive attitude towards trying new things.
• Build teamwork and collaborative skills through group activities.
• Enhance fine and gross motor skills through varied and engaging tasks.
• Ensure cultural relevance and respect for diverse learners.

Materials

• A can or container to hold task slips.
• Pre-cut task slips, each with a different task.
• Basic art supplies (paper, crayons, markers, glue, scissors).
• Simple sporting equipment (balls, cones, skipping ropes).
• A small prize or reward stickers to celebrate participation and effort.

Lesson Structure

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Welcome & Warm-Up:
   • Gather students in a circle.
   • Briefly discuss the importance of trying new things and building resilience. Emphasize that everyone will try their best and support one another.
   • Introduce the “Can-Do” can. Explain that each student will draw a task from the can and attempt to complete it either alone or with a buddy.

Main Activity (15 minutes)

1. Draw & Explain:

   • Students take turns drawing a task slip from the can.
   • The teacher reads aloud the task on each slip and explains it to the student.

2. Task Execution:

   • Students attempt their tasks individually or in pairs, depending on the complexity of the task and the students' comfort levels.
   • The teacher circulates the room, providing encouragement, guidance, and ensuring everyone is engaged.

Sample Task List (inside the can):

• Draw a Picture of Your Favourite Animal:

  • Skills: Creativity, fine motor skills.
  • Students can work individually or in pairs to draw and colour their favourite animal.

• Build a Tower with Blocks:

  • Skills: Problem-solving, teamwork, spatial awareness.
  • Students can work alone or with a partner to build the tallest tower possible using blocks.

• Skip for 20 seconds:

  • Skills: Gross motor skills, coordination.
  • Students attempt to skip for 20 seconds. If they can't skip, they can try jumping in place.

• Organise the Classroom Library:

  • Skills: Organisation, responsibility.
  • Students can work together to tidy and organise the classroom library.

• Learn a New Māori Word:

  • Skills: Cultural awareness, language acquisition.
  • Students learn and practise a new Māori word and its meaning, then share it with the class.

• Create a Friendship Bracelet:

  • Skills: Fine motor skills, creativity.
  • Students make simple friendship bracelets using string or yarn.

• Sing a Song Together:

  • Skills: Coordination, teamwork, confidence.
  • Students pick and sing a familiar song together as a group.

• Do 10 Star Jumps:

  • Skills: Fitness, coordination.
  • Students perform 10 star jumps together.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

1. Sharing & Reflection:

   • Gather students back into the circle.
   • Invite students to share their experiences—what task they tried, how they felt, and what they learned.
   • Celebrate all attempts with applause and distribute small prizes or stickers to acknowledge their efforts.

2. Encouraging Words:

   • Reinforce the message of resilience, independence, and the importance of trying new things.
   • End with a group encouragement chant, e.g., "We can do anything!"

Assessment

• Observation: Monitor students' engagement and participation.
• Feedback: Provide individual feedback and encouragement.
• Reflection: Conduct a brief group discussion to gather students' thoughts on the activities.

Note: Adapt the difficulty of tasks based on individual students' needs and abilities. Ensure tasks are flexible to accommodate various skill levels and learning styles.