Gymnastics: Meaning and Benefits of Gymnastics with Floor Activities Primary 5 (Basic 5) Second Term Week 8 Physical and Health Education

GYMNASTICS WITH FLOOR ACTIVITIES: MEANING AND BENEFITS (IMPORTANCE) OF GYMNASTICS WITH FLOOR ACTIVITIES 

PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION (PHE)

PRIMARY 5 – SECOND TERM – WEEK 8

THEME – GAMES AND SPORTS (GYMNASTICS WITH FLOOR ACTIVITIES) 

PREVIOUS LESSON – Physical Fitness: Meaning and Activities of Physical Fitness Enhancement, Benefits of Physical Fitness Enhancement Activities Primary 5 (Basic 5) Second Term Week 6 Physical and Health Education

TOPIC – GYMNASTICS WITH FLOOR ACTIVITIES 

LEARNING AREA

1. Introduction

2. Meaning and Benefits of Gymnastics with Floor Activities

3. Practical Demonstration of Gymnastics with Floor Activities

4. Weekly Assessment: Test Questions and Answers/Assignment

5. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

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

1. Explain the meaning of gymnastics.

2. Explain the meaning of floor gymnastics activities.

3. Mention different floor gymnastics activities.

4. State the benefits of gymnastics with floor activities.

5. Demonstrate simple floor gymnastics activities safely.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Pupils have previously learned about physical fitness enhancement activities such as jogging, stretching, skipping, push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. They learned that these activities improve strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and endurance.

This lesson builds on that knowledge by introducing gymnastics with floor activities, which also help improve physical fitness, body control, flexibility, balance, and coordination through different movements performed on a gymnasium mat or a safe floor surface.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Gymnasium mat or exercise mat

2. Whistle

3. Pictures of gymnasts performing floor exercises

4. Cones

5. Stopwatch

6. Whiteboard and marker

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

Gymnastics is one of the oldest sports in the world. It involves different body movements that help improve strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and body control. Some gymnastics activities are performed on the floor using a gymnasium mat.

In this lesson, pupils will learn the meaning of gymnastics, the meaning of floor gymnastics activities, and the benefits of participating in floor gymnastics activities.

LESSON 1 – MEANING OF GYMNASTICS

Gymnastics is a physical activity or sport that involves performing different body movements and exercises to improve strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and body control.

MEANING OF GYMNASTICS WITH FLOOR ACTIVITIES

Gymnastics with floor activities are gymnastics exercises performed on a mat or safe floor surface without using large equipment. These activities involve rolling, balancing, bending, jumping, and stretching the body.

EXAMPLES OF GYMNASTICS WITH FLOOR ACTIVITIES

1. Forward Roll – A forward roll is rolling the body forward on a mat from the head to the back.

2. Backward Roll – A backward roll is rolling the body backward on a mat from the back to the shoulders.

3. Cartwheel – A cartwheel is turning the body sideways by placing the hands on the floor while the legs move over the head.

4. Headstand – A headstand is balancing the body upside down with the head and hands supporting the body.

5. Handstand – A handstand is balancing the body upside down using only the hands for support.

6. Bridge – A bridge is bending the body backward with the hands and feet touching the floor while the stomach faces upward.

7. Shoulder Stand – A shoulder stand is balancing the body on the shoulders with the legs pointing straight upward.

8. Log Roll – A log roll is rolling the whole body sideways on the floor while keeping the body straight.

9. Jumping and Landing – Jumping and landing involve jumping into the air and landing safely on both feet with bent knees.

10. Balancing on One Foot – Balancing on one foot means standing steadily on one foot while keeping the other foot off the ground for a short time.

LESSON 2 – BENEFITS (IMPORTANCE) OF GYMNASTICS WITH FLOOR ACTIVITIES

1. It improves body flexibility.

2. It increases body strength.

3. It improves balance and coordination.

4. It develops body control.

5. It improves physical fitness.

6. It increases confidence.

7. It promotes good posture.

8. It improves concentration.

9. It encourages discipline and self-control.

10. It helps pupils stay healthy and active.

11. It reduces stress and tiredness.

12. It prepares pupils for other sports and physical activities. 

LESSON 3 – PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION OF GYMNASTICS WITH FLOOR ACTIVITIES

The teacher demonstrates simple gymnastics floor activities on a gymnastics mat while pupils observe and practise safely under supervision.

1. Warm-Up Exercises

• Pupils jog slowly on the spot.

• Stretch the arms, legs, neck, shoulders, and waist.

• Rotate the wrists and ankles gently.

2. Forward Roll

• Squat on the mat.

• Place both hands on the mat.

• Tuck the head and roll forward over the shoulders.

• Stand up carefully after the roll.

3. Backward Roll

• Sit on the mat with knees bent.

• Roll backward over the shoulders.

• Push with the hands and return to a standing position.

4. Bridge

• Lie on the back.

• Bend the knees and place the hands beside the head.

• Push the body upward to form a bridge.

• Hold for a few seconds and lower the body gently.

5. Balancing on One Foot

• Stand upright.

• Lift one foot off the ground.

• Balance on the other foot for a few seconds.

• Repeat with the other foot.

6. Log Roll

• Lie straight on the mat.

• Keep the body straight.

• Roll sideways like a log from one side of the mat to the other.

7. Jumping and Safe Landing

• Jump upward with both feet.

• Land gently on both feet with the knees slightly bent.

8. Cool-Down

• Walk slowly around the mat.

• Stretch the arms and legs.

• Take deep breaths to relax the body.

GROUP PRACTICAL ACTIVITY

The teacher divides the class into groups.

• Group 1: Practise forward roll and backward roll.

• Group 2: Practise bridge and balancing on one foot.

• Group 3: Practise log roll and jumping with safe landing.

• Group 4: Demonstrate warm-up and cool-down exercises.

Each group demonstrates its assigned activity before the class.

SAFETY RULES DURING GYMNASTICS FLOOR ACTIVITIES

1. Perform all activities on a gymnastics mat or soft surface.

2. Warm up before starting any gymnastics activity.

3. Wear appropriate sports clothing and shoes where necessary.

4. Follow the teacher’s instructions carefully.

5. Keep enough space between pupils while practising.

6. Do not attempt difficult movements without the teacher’s assistance.

7. Stop immediately and report any pain or injury to the teacher.

WEEKLY ASSESSMENT: TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/ASSIGNMENT 

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. Gymnastics is a sport that improves ______.

A. body strength and flexibility

B. cooking

C. reading

D. drawing

2. Which of the following is a floor gymnastics activity?

A. Swimming

B. Forward roll

C. Cycling

D. Skipping

3. Which equipment is commonly used for floor gymnastics?

A. Football

B. Hockey stick

C. Basketball

D. Gymnastics mat

4. Which floor activity involves rolling the body sideways?

A. Bridge

B. Handstand

C. Log roll

D. Shoulder stand

5. One benefit of gymnastics is that it ______.

A. weakens the muscles

B. improves balance and coordination

C. causes sickness

D. reduces flexibility

B. Fill in the Blanks

6. Gymnastics activities are usually performed on a ______.

7. A ______ is rolling the body forward on a mat.

8. A ______ is balancing the body on the hands.

9. Gymnastics improves ______ and balance.

10. Standing on one foot helps to improve ______.

C. True or False

11. A bridge is a floor gymnastics activity. ______

12. Gymnastics do not improves flexibility. ______

13. A handstand is performed while standing on both feet. ______

14. Floor gymnastics activities should be practised on a safe mat. ______

15. Gymnastics helps improve body control. ______

D. Match Column A with Column B

Column A – Column B

16. Forward roll – A. Balancing on the hands

17. Handstand – B. Rolling the body sideways

18. Bridge – C. Rolling the body forward

19. Balance on one foot – D. Bending the body backward

20. Log roll – E. Standing on one foot

ANSWER KEYS

1. A – Body strength and flexibility

2. B – Forward roll

3. D – Gymnastics mat

4. C – Log roll

5. B – Improves balance and coordination

6. gymnastics mat

7. forward roll

8. handstand

9. flexibility

10. balance

11. True

12. False

13. False

14. True

15. True

16. C – Rolling the body forward

17. A – Balancing on the hands

18. D – Bending the body backward

19. E – Standing on one foot

20. B – Rolling the body sideways

SUMMARY

In this lesson, pupils learned that gymnastics is a physical activity or sport that involves different body movements and exercises to improve strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and body control.

They also learned that gymnastics with floor activities involves performing exercises on a gymnastics mat or safe floor surface without using large equipment.

Pupils identified different floor gymnastics activities, including:

• Forward roll

• Backward roll

• Cartwheel

• Headstand

• Handstand

• Bridge

• Shoulder stand

• Log roll

• Jumping and landing

• Balancing on one foot

They further learned that gymnastics with floor activities:

• Improves flexibility.

• Increases body strength.

• Improves balance and coordination.

• Develops body control.

• Promotes good posture.

• Builds confidence.

• Improves concentration.

• Helps pupils stay healthy and physically fit.

Finally, pupils participated in practical demonstrations of simple floor gymnastics activities such as forward roll, backward roll, bridge, balancing on one foot, log roll, and jumping with safe landing while observing the necessary safety rules.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction – The teacher asks pupils to mention some physical fitness activities they have learned previously. The teacher then introduces gymnastics as another activity that helps keep the body fit and healthy.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention physical fitness activities and listen attentively.

Step 2: Meaning of Gymnastics – The teacher explains the meaning of gymnastics and the meaning of gymnastics with floor activities.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain gymnastics in their own words.

Step 3: Examples of Gymnastics with Floor Activities – The teacher explains and demonstrates the following floor gymnastics activities:

• Forward roll

• Backward roll

• Cartwheel

• Headstand

• Handstand

• Bridge

• Shoulder stand

• Log roll

• Jumping and landing

• Balancing on one foot

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils identify and mention different floor gymnastics activities.

Step 4: Benefits of Gymnastics with Floor Activities – The teacher explains the benefits of gymnastics with floor activities, such as improving strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, body control, and confidence.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils state the benefits of gymnastics with floor activities.

Step 5: Practical Demonstration – The teacher demonstrates simple floor gymnastics activities, including:

• Forward roll

• Backward roll

• Bridge

• Balancing on one foot

• Log roll

• Jumping and safe landing

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils observe and practise the activities under the teacher’s supervision.

Step 6: Group Activity – The teacher divides the class into four groups and assigns the following activities:

• Group 1: Practise forward roll and backward roll.

• Group 2: Practise bridge and balancing on one foot.

• Group 3: Practise log roll and jumping with safe landing.

• Group 4: Demonstrate warm-up and cool-down exercises.

Each group demonstrates its assigned activity before the class.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils work together, perform the assigned activities, and present them.

Step 7: Lesson Summary – The teacher reviews the meaning of gymnastics, floor gymnastics activities, and their benefits.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer oral questions and summarise the lesson.

Step 8: Evaluation – The teacher asks oral and written questions and observes pupils demonstrating simple gymnastics floor activities correctly and safely.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the evaluation questions and actively participate in the practical activities.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

NEXT LESSON

Gymnastics: Meaning and Benefits of Gymnastics with Apparatus Activities Primary 5 (Basic 5) Second Term Week 9 Physical and Health Education

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. What is gymnastics?

2. What are gymnastics with floor activities?

3. Mention five examples of gymnastics with floor activities.

4. State five benefits of gymnastics with floor activities.

5. Which floor gymnastics activity involves rolling the body forward?

6. Which floor gymnastics activity involves balancing the body on the hands?

7. Why should pupils perform gymnastics activities on a gymnastics mat or safe floor surface?

8. Mention three safety rules to observe during gymnastics with floor activities.

9. Mention three floor gymnastics activities demonstrated during the practical lesson.

10. Demonstrate any three gymnastics floor activities correctly and safely (such as a forward roll, backward roll, bridge, log roll, balancing on one foot, or jumping and safe landing).