Stay Active, Stay Healthy

Objective

Promote the understanding and importance of leading an active lifestyle through engaging physical activities, incorporating aspects of coordination, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, and teamwork.

Curriculum Link:

Key Stage 2 - Physical Education
Area: Developing competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
Level: Year 4

Success Criteria:

• Students will actively participate in all activities.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of how different activities contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
• Students will exhibit improvement in coordination, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness.

Lesson Layout

Equipment Needed:

• 4 cones
• 1 large parachute
• 8 hula hoops
• 24 bean bags
• 1 stopwatch
• 4 skipping ropes
• Coloured bibs (for team identification)
• Whistle

Warm-Up: 10 minutes

Activity: ‘Follow the Leader’

1. Students form a train behind the teacher.
2. The teacher leads simple cardiovascular exercises such as jogging, jumping jacks, and dynamic stretches.
3. Option: Allow students to take turns being the leader.

Objective:

To raise the heart rate and prepare muscles for physical activity; emphasising the importance of warming up before engaging in physical exercise.

Station Rotation: 60 minutes (4 stations - 15 minutes each)

Station 1: Parachute Games (Coordination and Teamwork)

1. Students work together to lift, shake, and rotate the parachute.
2. Games include ‘Mushroom’, where students form a giant bubble by quickly lifting the parachute, and ‘Popcorn’, where bean bags are tossed on the parachute and students have to keep them from falling off.

Station 2: Obstacle Course (Cardiovascular Fitness and Agility)

1. Setup: Cones for zig-zag running, hula hoops for jumping through, and skipping ropes for hopping over.
2. Students navigate the obstacle course as many times as they can within the station time.
3. Option: Time each student and encourage them to beat their own time.

Station 3: Dance and Movement (Rhythm and Flexibility)

1. Use a cd player to play age-appropriate dance music.
2. Students follow a series of dance moves led by the teacher incorporating stretches, bends, and various dance steps.
3. Encourage free movement and expression through dance.

Station 4: Team Relay Races (Speed and Cooperation)

1. Split the class into four teams; use coloured bibs for identification.
2. Races include classic relay with baton passing, sack races, and three-legged races.
3. Emphasize the importance of supporting and cheering for team members.

Cool Down: 10 minutes

Activity: Guided Stretching and Reflection

1. Students sit in a circle.
2. Teacher leads through a range of static stretches focusing on major muscle groups.
3. Open a brief discussion on what activities they enjoyed most and how physical activities can be part of their daily routine.

Plenary: 10 minutes

Activity: Active Lifestyle Reflection

1. Hand out small reflection sheets with prompts:
   • What was your favourite activity today and why?
   • Name one new thing you learned about staying active.
   • How can you incorporate what you learned into your daily routine?
2. Students share their thoughts with a partner before discussing as a whole class.
3. Reinforce the day's lesson by emphasizing how regular physical activity contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

Homework: Active Journal

1. Provide students with a simple journal template to track their physical activity over the week.
2. Encourage them to note down activities they enjoy and new ones they try out.

Assessment

• Ongoing through observation of participation and engagement during activities.
• Student reflections and journals to gauge their understanding and commitment to an active lifestyle.

Differentiation:

• For students who need additional support, adapt activities to their abilities (e.g., modify dance moves, shorten obstacle course).
• Challenge higher ability students with more complex versions of the activities (e.g., skipping rope tricks).

By the end of this lesson, students will have not only engaged in physical activities but also acquired an understanding of how these activities are part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.