Twisting the wrist and twinkling/moving the fingers for Primary 1

Class: Primary One
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Physical and Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Motor Skills Development
Focal competence: Moving the body parts with good body balance
Key competencies/values: Safety Awareness
Skills:

• Moving of the body parts with flexibility, balance and coordination

Previous Lesson: Turning the head, neck and eyes
Topic: Moving Our Body Parts 1: Wrist And Finger Movements
Subject Matter: Twisting the wrist, twinkling/moving the fingers

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify the wrist and fingers as body parts used for movement.

Affective Domain

• Participate actively and safely in wrist and finger movement exercises.
• Show willingness to practice gentle movements.

Psychomotor Domain

• Twist the wrists correctly.
• Move the fingers with control by opening, closing, and spreading them.
• Combine simple wrist and finger actions in a routine.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• 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 for developing pupils’ fine motor skills, which are essential for everyday tasks like writing, drawing, and handling objects. Learning controlled wrist and finger movements enhances coordination and flexibility, contributing to overall physical development. It also promotes body awareness and the importance of gentle, safe movements.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of identifying different parts of their body and can perform simple movements like stretching their arms and legs.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Moving Our Body Parts 1: Wrist And Finger Movements

Wrist Movements

The wrist is the joint that connects our hand to our arm. We can move our wrists in different ways:

1. Twisting the Wrist: Gently turn your hand from side to side at the wrist, like turning a door handle.
2. Bending the Wrist: Move your hand up and down at the wrist, like waving goodbye.
3. Rotating the Wrist: Make circles with your hand at the wrist, both clockwise and anti-clockwise.

Always do these movements gently, without forcing the joint.

Finger Movements

Our fingers are very important for holding and touching things. We can move our fingers in many ways:

1. Opening and Closing Fingers: Spread your fingers wide apart and then bring them together to make a fist.
2. Spreading Fingers: Move each finger away from the others.
3. Twinkling Fingers: Wiggle or move your fingers quickly, like playing a piano or twinkling lights.

Combining Wrist and Finger Actions

We can put wrist and finger movements together to make a short routine. For example:

1. Twist your wrists while opening and closing your fingers.
2. Rotate your wrists while twinkling your fingers.

Remember to always practice gently and with control.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Practical Activity

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Warming Up/Motivation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, leads a simple warm-up exercise (e.g., light arm stretches), and introduces the topic of moving wrists and fingers. The teacher asks pupils to show their wrists and fingers.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, participate in warm-up, and point to their wrists and fingers.

Learning Point: Introduction to wrist and finger movements

Step 2: Twisting the Wrist

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guidance

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to gently twist the wrist from side to side, emphasizing controlled and slow movements. The teacher reminds pupils not to force the joint.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration and then practice twisting their wrists gently from side to side.

Learning Point: Correct wrist twisting

Step 3: Bending and Rotating the Wrist

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates bending the wrist up and down, and then rotating the wrist in circles (clockwise and anti-clockwise). The teacher ensures pupils perform movements gently.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the teacher’s movements, bending their wrists up and down, and rotating them in circles.

Learning Point: Wrist bending and rotation

Step 4: Finger Movements (Opening, Closing, Spreading, Twinkling)

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates various finger movements: opening and closing fingers (making a fist), spreading fingers wide, and twinkling/wiggling fingers quickly. The teacher encourages clear, distinct movements.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher and then practice opening, closing, spreading, and twinkling their fingers.

Learning Point: Controlled finger movements

Step 5: Combining Wrist and Finger Actions

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Integration/Coordination

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pupils how to combine wrist and finger movements, for example, twisting the wrist while opening and closing fingers, or rotating the wrist while twinkling fingers. The teacher guides them through a simple sequence.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils try to combine the wrist and finger movements as demonstrated by the teacher, practicing a short hand-movement routine.

Learning Point: Combining hand movements

Step 6: Guided Practice and Reinforcement

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Coaching/Feedback

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher observes pupils as they practice the combined movements, providing positive feedback and correcting any incorrect or forceful movements. The teacher reminds them about gentle practice.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils continue to practice the wrist and finger movements, focusing on control and smoothness, incorporating teacher feedback.

Learning Point: Refined movement practice

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. Show me how to twist your wrist.
2. Show me how to open and close your fingers.
3. Can you show me how to make your fingers twinkle?
4. Demonstrate a movement that combines your wrist and fingers.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessment of movements

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 about wrist and finger movements into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson points

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarising

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds pupils about the importance of moving their wrists and fingers gently and regularly for good health and daily activities. The teacher dismisses the class.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and prepare for dismissal.

Learning Point: Importance of movements

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Practice Exercise

Instruction: Practice these movements at home and be ready to demonstrate them next time.

1. Show your parents or guardians how you can twist your wrist gently.
2. Practice opening and closing your fingers 10 times.
3. Try to make your fingers twinkle like little lights.

Lesson Keywords

• Wrist – The joint connecting the hand to the arm.
• Fingers – The five movable parts at the end of the hand.
• Twist – To turn something in a circular motion.
• Twinkle – To move fingers quickly and lightly.
• Gentle – Soft and careful, not rough.

Differentiation

For slower learners, the teacher will provide more one-on-one demonstration and physical guidance to help them perform the movements correctly and gently. Faster learners can be challenged to create their own short, simple hand-movement routines combining various wrist and finger actions, or to perform the movements with more speed and precision.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search YouTube for: “Primary 1 wrist and finger exercises for kids” or “PHE hand movements for young children”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure the activity space is clear and safe for movement. Prepare any cones or markers if you plan to use them to define personal space. Emphasize safety throughout the lesson, particularly the importance of gentle movements to avoid straining joints. Begin with a light warm-up to prepare the muscles. Model each wrist and finger movement clearly and slowly, allowing pupils ample time to observe and copy. Provide positive reinforcement and correct techniques gently. Encourage pupils to practice both individually and by following your lead. The Board Summary should be copied by pupils after the practical activities in Step 8 to ensure the focus remains on physical engagement during the main lesson development. Check for understanding by asking pupils to demonstrate the movements. For weaker learners, offer more direct physical cues or repeat demonstrations. For faster learners, encourage them to add more complexity or speed to their movements while maintaining control.