Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, ensure you have enough clear space in the classroom or an open area for pupils to swing their arms freely and safely. The central idea is for pupils to understand what their arms are and how to perform a basic swinging movement as an exercise. Observe pupils as they identify their arms and demonstrate the swinging action to confirm successful learning.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 1
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Physical & Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Physical & Health Education
Previous Lesson: Identifying different body parts and performing simple movements.
Topic: SWINGING OF ARMS
Subject Matter: Swinging the arms as a body exercise.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify their arms.
- Recognise a swinging movement.
Affective Domain
- Participate actively in arm-swinging exercises.
- Show enjoyment while swinging their arms.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate swinging their arms forward and backward.
- Demonstrate swinging their arms side to side.
Social Domain
- Take turns and maintain personal space during group exercises.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3.
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources.
Instructional Materials
- Video on arm exercises for children.
- Spacious classroom or open playground.
- Picture cards showing children swinging their arms (optional).
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it helps them develop gross motor skills, body awareness, and coordination. Swinging arms is a simple yet effective exercise that contributes to physical health and prepares children for more complex movements, promoting overall physical development.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify some parts of their body and have engaged in simple body movements like walking, running, and jumping.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
SWINGING OF ARMS
Our arms are the two long parts of our body that connect to our shoulders and end at our hands. We use our arms for many things like holding, carrying, and waving.
Swinging our arms means moving them freely, back and forth, or side to side, like a pendulum.
- We can swing our arms forward and backward.
- We can swing our arms side to side.
Swinging our arms is a good body exercise. It helps to make our arm muscles strong and keeps our body healthy and active!
Key Words
- Swing – to move back and forth or side to side freely.
- Arms – the two upper limbs of our body.
- Exercise – physical activity to keep our body healthy and strong.
Movement Rhyme: My Swinging Arms
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
My two arms, strong and grand,
Swing them forward, understand!
Back and forth, so free and wide,
Side to side, with happy stride.
Swinging, swinging, what fun we make,
For our bodies’ healthy sake!
Actions: Swing arms forward and backward, then side to side, smiling and moving freely.
Video Demonstration: Watch and Move Along
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Begin by asking pupils to identify and point to their arms. Explain what “swinging” means using simple language and demonstrate the movement clearly. Emphasize that it’s an exercise for strong arms.
What to show or demonstrate: Point to your own arms and ask pupils to point to theirs. Clearly demonstrate swinging your arms forward and backward, then side to side. Encourage pupils to imitate your movements.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “My Swinging Arms” rhyme. Teach it line by line, demonstrating the actions. Repeat the rhyme several times, encouraging pupils to sing along and perform the arm-swinging actions as they sing.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see more arm-swinging exercises. Ask pupils to watch carefully and try to copy the movements they see on the screen. After the video, discuss different ways they saw people swinging their arms.
What to watch for: Ensure pupils are swinging their arms freely from the shoulder, not just bending their elbows. Observe if they maintain enough space around them to swing safely without hitting others.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Play-based Learning
- Imitation
- Songs and Rhymes
- Video Presentation
- Question and Answer
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Greeting/Engagement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and leads a short warm-up activity like stretching or marching in place. “Good morning, everyone! Let’s get our bodies ready for some fun today!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and participate in the warm-up activity.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and physically prepared for the lesson.
Step 2: Identify Arms
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Identification/Observation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to point to their arms. “Can you all show me your arms? Point to them! How many arms do you have?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils point to their arms and say “two” when asked how many arms they have.
Learning Point: Pupils identify their arms as a body part.
Step 3: Teacher Demonstration of Swinging Arms
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates swinging arms in different ways (forward/backward, side to side) slowly and clearly. “Look at me! I am swinging my arms. See how they move back and forth? And side to side?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration carefully.
Learning Point: Pupils observe and understand the concept of arm swinging.
Step 4: Guided Practice – Swinging Arms
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Imitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to imitate the arm-swinging movements. “Now, let’s all try together! Swing your arms forward and backward. Good! Now swing them side to side. Remember to keep a little space around you.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils imitate the teacher, swinging their arms forward/backward and side to side.
Learning Point: Pupils practise swinging their arms with guidance.
Step 5: Reinforcement with Rhyme
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Songs and Rhymes/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing the “My Swinging Arms” rhyme with actions. “Let’s sing our song about swinging arms and do the movements!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme and perform the arm-swinging actions.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce arm-swinging through a fun rhyme and movement.
Step 6: Application – Video and Free Practice
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Application/Observation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the video on arm exercises and encourages pupils to watch and try to copy the movements. “Let’s watch this video and see how others swing their arms. Try to move along with them!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and attempt to mimic the arm-swinging exercises shown.
Learning Point: Pupils apply their learning by imitating movements from the video.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- “Show me your arms.”
- “Can you show me how to swing your arms forward and backward?”
- “Can you show me how to swing your arms side to side?”
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: Summary/Praise
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their participation and reminds them that swinging arms is a good exercise to keep them strong. “You all did a great job swinging your arms today! Keep exercising to stay strong and healthy!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, respond to praise, and prepare for the next activity.
Learning Point: Pupils receive positive reinforcement and recall the importance of the exercise.
Lesson Keywords
- Arms – The two upper limbs of our body.
- Swing – To move back and forth or side to side freely.
- Exercise – Physical activity to keep our body healthy and strong.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who find it difficult, the teacher can provide hand-over-hand guidance to help them feel the movement. Use slower demonstrations and more repetition.
- Extension: Encourage pupils who grasp the concept quickly to try swinging their arms at different speeds (slow, fast) or to count how many times they can swing their arms in a short period.
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