Body Conditioning and Balancing, One-Leg Balance and Freeze Game for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Physical and Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Physical and Health Education
Previous Lesson: Simple body movements and exercises.
Topic: BODY CONDITIONING AND BALANCING: ONE-LEG BALANCE AND FREEZE GAME
Subject Matter: BODY CONDITIONING AND BALANCING – Standing on one leg – Dancing and Freezing Game.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Explain in simple terms what body conditioning means.
• Understand the rules of the one-leg balance game.
• Recall the rules of the dance and freeze game.

Affective Domain

• Show enthusiasm and participate actively in physical games.
• Demonstrate patience while trying to balance on one leg.
• Enjoy playing the dance and freeze game with peers.

Psychomotor Domain

• Balance on one leg for a short period without falling.
• Perform dance movements to music.
• Freeze their bodies immediately when the music stops.

Social Domain

• Take turns and play fairly during the games.
• Encourage classmates during the activities.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
• Early Childhood Care and Education resources
• Relevant Physical and Health Education activity books for preschoolers

Instructional Materials

• Music player or speaker
• Age-appropriate music (upbeat and lively)
• Video clips demonstrating balancing and freeze dance
• Open space (classroom or playground)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for 5-year-olds as it helps them develop crucial physical skills like balance, coordination, and body control. Engaging in fun activities like the one-leg balance and freeze game strengthens their muscles, improves their agility, and encourages active participation, which is vital for their overall physical development and healthy growth.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have previously engaged in simple body movements like walking, running, jumping, and stretching. They can follow basic instructions and enjoy moving their bodies to music.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

BODY CONDITIONING AND BALANCING: ONE-LEG BALANCE AND FREEZE GAME

Body Conditioning: This means making our bodies strong and healthy through exercise and movement. When we play and move, our bodies get stronger and can do more things.

Balancing: This is when we keep ourselves steady and upright without falling. It helps us stand, walk, and play without wobbling.

1. Standing on One Leg (One-Leg Balance)

• What it is: Lifting one foot off the ground and trying to stand still on the other foot.
• How to do it:
  1. Stand tall with your feet together.
  2. Choose one leg and slowly lift the other foot off the ground.
  3. Try to keep your body steady and count how long you can stand.
  4. Put your foot down and try with the other leg.
• Why it’s good: It makes our leg muscles strong and helps us control our bodies better.

2. Dance and Freeze Game

• What it is: A fun game where you dance to music and then stop moving (freeze) when the music stops.
• How to play:
  1. When the music plays, everyone dances freely. You can move your arms, legs, and body in any way you like.
  2. When the music suddenly stops, everyone must freeze! This means you stop moving immediately and hold your position like a statue.
  3. If you move while the music is stopped, you are out (or you can just keep playing for fun).
  4. When the music starts again, you start dancing!
• Why it’s good: It helps us listen carefully, react quickly, and control our bodies. It’s also great exercise and lots of fun!

Key Words

• Conditioning – making our bodies strong and healthy.
• Balance – keeping steady without falling.
• Freeze – to stop moving suddenly and hold still.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

• Teacher should demonstrate standing on one leg, showing how to lift a leg and try to stay still.
• Teacher should demonstrate dancing freely and then immediately freezing when a sound (like a clap or a “stop” command) is given.
• Teacher can draw simple stick figures showing someone balancing and someone frozen in a dance pose.

Movement Rhyme: Balance and Freeze

Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

Lyrics:

Stand up tall, stand up straight,
Lift one leg, don’t you wait!
Wobble, wobble, try to see,
How long you can balance, free!

Dance and sway, move around,
To the music’s happy sound.
When it stops, freeze so still,
Like a statue, on the hill!

Actions:

• “Stand up tall, stand up straight”: Stand tall.
• “Lift one leg, don’t you wait!”: Lift one leg.
• “Wobble, wobble, try to see”: Wiggle slightly while balancing.
• “How long you can balance, free!”: Hold the balance.
• “Dance and sway, move around”: Dance freely.
• “To the music’s happy sound”: Continue dancing.
• “When it stops, freeze so still”: Stop all movement and hold a pose.
• “Like a statue, on the hill!”: Remain frozen.

How to use the rhyme: Recite the rhyme before starting the activities. Use the first stanza before the one-leg balance game and the second stanza before the dance and freeze game. Encourage pupils to do the actions as they say the rhyme.

Watch and Move Along

Let’s watch a video that shows us how to play the “Freeze Dance” game. Pay attention to how the children dance and how quickly they freeze when the music stops!

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

• Play-based Learning
• Demonstration
• Guided Practice
• Songs and Rhymes
• Video Demonstration
• Practical Activity
• Question and Answer

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and asks them to stand up. The teacher leads a simple warm-up like stretching arms up, touching toes, and gentle marching in place to get their bodies ready.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, stand up, and participate in the warm-up exercises, stretching and marching.

Learning Point: Pupils get ready for physical activity and understand the importance of warm-up.

Step 2: Explanation of Body Conditioning and Balancing

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Concept Introduction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains in simple terms what “body conditioning” and “balancing” mean, using examples like “making our bodies strong like superheroes” and “standing steady like a tree.” The teacher introduces the idea of playing games to make their bodies strong and balanced.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and respond to simple questions like “What makes our bodies strong?”

Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic concepts of body conditioning and balancing.

Step 3: Demonstration of One-Leg Balance

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to stand on one leg. The teacher shows how to lift one foot, hold it, and try to balance. The teacher encourages pupils to watch carefully and shows how to use arms for balance if needed.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration carefully, paying attention to how to lift a leg and balance.

Learning Point: Pupils learn the correct way to attempt balancing on one leg.

Step 4: Guided Practice – One-Leg Balance Game

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Facilitation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to try standing on one leg. The teacher encourages them to try with both legs, counting how long they can balance. The teacher provides verbal encouragement and reminds them to be careful.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively try to stand on one leg, first with one leg, then the other, attempting to balance for as long as they can.

Learning Point: Pupils practise and improve their balance and body control.

Step 5: Introduction to Dance and Freeze Game

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining Rules/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the rules of the “Dance and Freeze Game” clearly. The teacher demonstrates dancing for a few seconds and then freezing immediately when the music stops, emphasizing that no movement is allowed during the “freeze.” The teacher can show the video from the Board Summary here.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the rules, watch the teacher’s demonstration and the video, and ask questions if they don’t understand.

Learning Point: Pupils understand how to play the Dance and Freeze Game.

Step 6: Guided Practice – Dance and Freeze Game

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Game Facilitation/Supervision

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays upbeat music and encourages pupils to dance freely. The teacher periodically stops the music, prompting pupils to freeze. The teacher observes and encourages pupils to hold their frozen poses.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils dance enthusiastically when the music plays and freeze their bodies instantly when the music stops, trying to hold their positions.

Learning Point: Pupils practise quick reaction, body control, and enjoy active play.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

1. “What does it mean to balance?” (Teacher asks, pupils explain or demonstrate).
2. “Can you show me how to stand on one leg?” (Pupils demonstrate).
3. “What do you do when the music stops in the freeze game?” (Pupils answer “freeze” and can show a frozen pose).
4. “What makes our bodies strong?” (Pupils answer “exercise” or “playing”).

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: Summarizing/Cool-down

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their active participation and effort. The teacher leads a short cool-down activity like slow stretching or deep breathing. The teacher reminds them that moving and playing helps keep their bodies strong and healthy.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the cool-down, listen to the teacher’s summary, and understand the importance of physical activity.

Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and cool down their bodies.

Lesson Keywords

• Balance – keeping steady without falling.
• Freeze – to stop moving suddenly and hold still.
• Conditioning – making our bodies strong and healthy.
• Exercise – physical activity that makes our bodies strong.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils struggling with balance, allow them to hold onto a wall or a friend’s hand initially. Encourage them to try balancing for shorter periods. For the freeze game, allow them a few extra seconds to stop moving.
• Extension: For pupils who can balance easily, challenge them to close one eye while balancing, or try to balance for a longer count. During the freeze game, challenge them to hold more complex or funny frozen poses.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have a clear, open space for pupils to move safely, whether it’s the classroom or a playground. Prepare your music player and a selection of upbeat, child-friendly songs. Demonstrate all movements clearly and enthusiastically to encourage participation. Emphasize safety during the one-leg balance game; remind pupils to put their foot down if they feel unsteady. During the freeze game, ensure enough space between pupils to avoid collisions. Observe pupils’ balance and coordination throughout the activities. Praise effort and participation more than perfect execution. For shy pupils, encourage them to join in by dancing near them or inviting them to demonstrate a simple move. Observable actions like successfully balancing for a few seconds or freezing immediately when the music stops will indicate understanding and skill development.