Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, ensure you have a clear, safe, and open space for pupils to move freely. The central idea is for pupils to understand and physically demonstrate the “apart together” movement with their legs in a rhythmic way. Observe closely for pupils’ coordination and ability to follow the simple instructions and beat. Successful learning will be evident when pupils can confidently part and close their legs in time with your commands or a simple beat.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 9
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Physical & Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Simple body movements like marching and jumping.
Topic: APART TOGETHER
Subject Matter: Apart Together (parting and closing legs in rhythm).
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify and understand the terms “apart” and “together” in relation to leg movements.
- Recognise the importance of moving their legs.
Affective Domain
- Enjoy participating in physical activities.
- Follow simple instructions for body movements.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate parting their legs wide.
- Demonstrate closing their legs together.
- Perform the “apart together” movement with their legs in a simple rhythm.
Social Domain
- Participate actively in a group physical activity.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3.
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources on gross motor skills.
Instructional Materials
- Charts showing children moving legs apart and together.
- Open, clear playground or classroom space.
- Optional: Simple drum or music for rhythm.
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson on “apart together” is crucial for 4-year-olds as it develops fundamental gross motor skills, coordination, and balance. Learning to control leg movements in rhythm also enhances their body awareness and ability to follow instructions, which are vital for overall physical development and readiness for more complex movements.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can stand, walk, march, and follow simple instructions like “stand up” and “sit down.”
Lesson Content/Board Summary
APART TOGETHER
What is “Apart Together”?
- Apart: Means your legs are wide open, far away from each other.
- Together: Means your legs are closed, touching each other.
- “Apart Together” is a fun movement where you open your legs wide and then close them, following a steady beat or rhythm.
How to do “Apart Together” with your legs:
- Stand up straight with your feet together.
- When you hear “Apart!”, quickly open your legs wide.
- When you hear “Together!”, quickly close your legs so they touch.
- Try to do it smoothly and in time with a clap or music!
This movement helps your leg muscles get strong and helps you learn to control your body better.
Key Words
- Apart – Legs wide open.
- Together – Legs closed, touching.
- Rhythm – A steady beat for moving.
Movement Rhyme: “Legs Apart, Legs Together”
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” (or any simple, repetitive tune)
Lyrics:
Legs apart, legs apart,
Move your legs, right from the start.
Legs together, legs together,
Moving strong, like a feather.
Apart, together, up and down,
Best movers in the town!
Actions:
- “Legs apart, legs apart”: Open legs wide twice.
- “Move your legs, right from the start”: Wiggle legs gently.
- “Legs together, legs together”: Close legs twice.
- “Moving strong, like a feather”: Stand tall, gently sway.
- “Apart, together, up and down”: Open, close, then gently bounce.
- “Best movers in the town!”: Point to self and smile.
Watch and Move Along
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Explain “apart” and “together” using your own body as a clear visual. Use simple, clear language. Emphasize that it’s about moving legs. Ask pupils to repeat the words “apart” and “together” after you.
What to show or demonstrate: Stand in front of the pupils and clearly demonstrate opening your legs wide (apart) and closing them (together) several times. Exaggerate the movement so it’s easy to see. Show the difference between slow and fast movements.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Legs Apart, Legs Together” rhyme. Sing it slowly first, demonstrating the actions. Repeat several times, encouraging pupils to join in with both singing and actions. Gradually increase the pace as they become more familiar.
How to use the video: Introduce the “Open Shut Them” video as a fun way to practise opening and closing. While the video shows hand movements, encourage pupils to adapt the “open” and “shut” actions to their legs, performing “apart” and “together” with their feet. Pause the video if needed to reinforce leg movements.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are moving their legs correctly (wide apart, fully together). Check for their ability to follow the rhythm, even if it’s a simple one. Ensure they have enough space and are not bumping into each other.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Imitation
- Play-based Learning
- Songs and Rhymes
- Practical Activity
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets pupils and leads a short warm-up activity like stretching arms and legs, or marching in place, to get their bodies ready for movement.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher and participate in the warm-up exercises, stretching and marching.
Learning Point: Pupils prepare their bodies for physical activity.
Step 2: Explanation and Demonstration of “Apart Together”
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the terms “apart” and “together” using their own legs. “When I say ‘apart’, my legs go wide! When I say ‘together’, my legs come close!” The teacher demonstrates the movement clearly and slowly.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, observe the teacher’s demonstration, and repeat the words “apart” and “together.”
Learning Point: Pupils understand the meaning of “apart” and “together” for leg movements.
Step 3: Guided Practice (Slow Pace)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Prompting
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to stand in an open space. The teacher calls out “Apart!” and “Together!” slowly, guiding pupils to perform the movement with their legs. The teacher provides gentle correction and encouragement.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils stand up and try to move their legs apart and together as the teacher calls out the commands.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to physically practise the “apart together” movement.
Step 4: Rhyme Integration and Movement
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Song/Rhyme Integration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the “Legs Apart, Legs Together” rhyme. The teacher sings the rhyme, demonstrating the actions for “apart” and “together” with their legs. The teacher encourages pupils to sing along and perform the actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the rhyme, sing along, and perform the “apart together” leg movements and other actions as guided by the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce the movement through a fun, rhythmic song.
Step 5: Practising with Rhythm
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Rhythm/Coordination
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher claps a steady beat or uses a drum. The teacher instructs pupils to move their legs apart and together in time with the beat. “Apart!” (clap) “Together!” (clap). The teacher varies the speed slightly.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils try to move their legs “apart together” in rhythm with the teacher’s claps or drum beat.
Learning Point: Pupils develop coordination and a sense of rhythm while performing the movement.
Step 6: Video Reinforcement and Practice
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Aid/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the “Open Shut Them” video. The teacher encourages pupils to watch the opening and closing actions in the video and adapt them to their leg movements, doing “apart together” with their feet.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and try to perform the “apart together” movement with their legs along with the song.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce the concept and movement through a visual and auditory aid.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 4–5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- “Show me ‘apart’ with your legs!”
- “Show me ‘together’ with your legs!”
- “Let’s do ‘apart together’ three times with my clap!”
- “What did we learn to do with our legs today?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Recap/Cool-down
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their effort and good movement. The teacher leads a short cool-down activity, like gentle swaying or deep breaths. The teacher reminds them that moving their bodies is good for them.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the cool-down, listen to the teacher, and say “thank you.”
Learning Point: Pupils end the lesson calmly and feel positive about physical activity.
Lesson Keywords
- Apart – Legs wide open.
- Together – Legs closed, touching.
- Legs – The body parts we use to stand and move.
- Rhythm – A steady beat for moving.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who find it difficult, the teacher can provide hand-over-hand guidance to help them feel the movement. Use slower commands and focus on just one movement at a time (e.g., “just apart” then “just together”) before combining.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concept, encourage them to try the movement with a slightly faster rhythm, or add simple arm movements (e.g., arms up when apart, arms down when together). They can also be asked to lead the “apart” or “together” command for a small group.
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