Safety precautions in athletics for Primary 1

Class: Primary One
Term: Second Term
Week: 2
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Physical & Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Athletics
Focal competence: Demonstrating agility, speed, strength and endurance while running a 50-metre dash
Skills:

• Running 50 metre dash
• Performing shuttle run

Previous Lesson: Revision of 50-Metre Dash and Shuttle Run Skills
Topic: Running: Safety Precautions
Subject Matter: Safety precautions in athletics

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Mention safety precautions in running.

Affective Domain

• Observe safety precautions during running activities.

Psychomotor Domain

• Perform a cool-down activity after running.

Social Domain

• Cooperate with peers in observing safety rules during running.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Physical and Health Education for Primary Schools, Book 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Cones or safe markers
• Whistle where appropriate
• Open safe activity space
• Appropriate sportswear

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it teaches young pupils how to stay safe while running, which is a fundamental physical activity. Understanding and practicing safety precautions helps prevent injuries and encourages a positive attitude towards physical exercise. It builds a foundation for safe participation in athletics as they grow.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have a basic understanding of what running is and have engaged in simple physical activities in the past.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Running: Safety Precautions

Safety precautions are important rules we follow to keep ourselves safe when we run. They help us avoid getting hurt.

Important Safety Precautions in Running

1. Safe Running Surface: Always run on a smooth and clear ground. Avoid running where there are stones, holes, or slippery spots that can make you fall.
2. Proper Warm-up: Before you start running, do some simple stretches to get your body ready. This helps your muscles and stops you from getting hurt.
3. Keeping to Marked Space: If there are lines or markers, try to stay within your own space. This helps everyone run without bumping into each other.
4. Avoiding Pushing or Crossing Paths: Never push your friends while running. Also, do not suddenly run across another person’s path, as this can cause both of you to fall.
5. Safe Stopping and Cooling Down: Do not stop suddenly after running fast. Slow down gradually. After running, do some gentle stretches again to cool down your body.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them about their favourite outdoor games that involve running. The teacher then tells them that today’s lesson is about how to run safely.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s greetings and share their favourite running games.

Learning Point: Recalling running activities

Step 2: Discussing Warm-up and Equipment

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the importance of warming up before running, wearing appropriate sportswear, and staying hydrated (drinking water). The teacher explains that these are the first steps to safe running.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and ask questions about warm-up and equipment.

Learning Point: Importance of warm-up

Step 3: Demonstrating Warm-up and Safe Surface

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guidance

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in a simple warm-up exercise (e.g., arm circles, leg swings). The teacher also points out the safe running surface in the activity space, highlighting what makes it safe (smooth, clear).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the warm-up exercises and identify the safe running surface.

Learning Point: Safe running environment

Step 4: Practicing Keeping to Marked Space and Avoiding Collisions

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses cones to mark simple running paths or lanes. The teacher instructs pupils to practice running within their marked spaces and to avoid pushing or crossing another runner’s path. The teacher supervises closely.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practice running in marked spaces, being careful not to push or cross paths.

Learning Point: Respecting other runners

Step 5: Safe Stopping and Cooling Down Discussion

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the importance of slowing down gradually after running and not stopping suddenly. The teacher then introduces the concept of cooling down and its benefits.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and discuss why it is important to stop safely and cool down.

Learning Point: Proper stopping technique

Step 6: Performing Cool-down Activity

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practical

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in a simple cool-down activity, such as slow walking and gentle stretches (e.g., touching toes, gentle arm stretches). This reinforces the final safety precaution.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the cool-down exercises.

Learning Point: Benefits of cool-down

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Mention two safety precautions you should take before running.
2. Why is it important not to push your friends when running?
3. Show me one cool-down exercise.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Identifying safety rules

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on safety precautions in running into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording safety notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, reminding pupils that safety comes first in all physical activities, especially running. The teacher encourages them to always remember and practice these safety rules.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and affirm their understanding of running safety.

Learning Point: Reinforcing running safety

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Draw and colour two pictures showing a safe running practice and an unsafe running practice. Write one sentence under each picture explaining why it is safe or unsafe.

1. Draw a picture of children warming up before running.
2. Draw a picture of children pushing each other while running.

Lesson Keywords

• Safety – Keeping away from harm or danger.
• Precautions – Actions taken to prevent something bad from happening.
• Warm-up – Exercises done before physical activity to prepare the body.
• Cool-down – Gentle exercises done after physical activity to help the body recover.
• Surface – The top part of the ground or floor.

Differentiation

For weaker learners: Provide more direct demonstrations and allow them to practice one safety rule at a time with close supervision. Use simple, repetitive instructions.
For faster learners: Encourage them to explain why each safety precaution is important and to demonstrate multiple precautions correctly to their peers.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further visual learning, teachers can search on YouTube for: Primary 1 running safety precautions PHE

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure the activity space is clear, safe, and free from obstacles. Prepare cones or markers if you intend to create lanes. Begin by engaging pupils with a discussion about running and then introduce the idea of safety. Follow the instructional procedures, emphasizing practical demonstration and guided practice for each safety precaution. Encourage pupils to actively participate in the warm-up and cool-down activities. Observe pupils closely during practical sessions to correct any unsafe practices immediately. Allow pupils to copy the Board Summary notes after the practical activities and evaluation to consolidate their learning. Ensure all pupils understand the importance of each safety rule for their well-being.