Short Distance Races in Athletics Physical and Health Education Primary 1 First Term Lesson Notes 6

Class: Primary 1

Subject: Physical and Health Education

Topic: Athletics, Short Distance Races, and Health Benefits

Sub-topic: Understanding Athletics and Short Distance Races

Time: 45 minutes

Duration: One class period

Learning Objectives:

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

1. Define what Athletics means.
2. Explain what short distance races are in athletics.
3. List at least two health benefits of participating in short distance races.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Communication skills
• Physical fitness awareness
• Critical thinking

Learning Materials:

• Pictures of athletes in action
• A small relay baton
• Diagrams of running tracks
• Whiteboard and markers
• Chalkboard and chalk
• Storybook on athletics

Entry Behaviour:

Students should have basic knowledge of running and should be able to understand simple explanations

Previous Lesson:

The previous lesson covered basic physical exercises and their importance.

Instructional Procedure:

Content:

Presentation:

Athletics is like a fun game where you get to run, jump, and throw things. It’s all about moving your body and having a good time while you do it. You can run really fast, jump as high as you can, or try to throw a ball as far as possible. It’s a way to be active, make friends, and have lots of fun outside!

In athletics, short distance races are all about running as fast as you can for a short distance. These races are usually held on a track, which is a special running path that goes in a circle. Here are some common short distance races:

1. Sprint: Sprint races are the shortest and fastest races. The most common sprint races are the 100 meters and 200 meters. Athletes explode out of the starting blocks and try to reach the finish line in the shortest time possible.
2. Relay: Relay races involve a team of four runners who each run a short distance and pass a baton (a small stick) to the next runner. The 4×100 meters and 4×400 meters are popular relay races. Teamwork is essential in relay races.
3. Hurdles: Hurdle races are like sprints but with obstacles called hurdles that you have to jump over. The 100-meter hurdles and 110-meter hurdles are common events in athletics.
4. Steeplechase: Steeplechase is a longer short-distance race where athletes run around a track but also have to jump over barriers and a water pit. It’s a bit like a mini obstacle course!

Short distance races in athletics require athletes to be very fast and explosive. They need to start quickly, maintain their speed, and reach the finish line before their competitors. These races are exciting to watch and require a lot of skill and training to excel in.

Short-distance races are good for your health because:

1. They make your muscles and heart strong.
2. They help you stay fit and active.
3. You can run faster and have more energy.
4. You make new friends and have fun!
5. It’s a great way to stay healthy and happy.

Teacher’s Activities:

1. Introduction (5 minutes): Start the lesson by asking the students if they have heard about running races. Show pictures of athletes running and ask them if they know what these people are doing.
2. Explaining Athletics (10 minutes): Define athletics as a sport where people run, jump, and throw things. Use simple language and show pictures to help them understand.
3. Short Distance Races (10 minutes): Explain that in athletics, there are races that are very short, like a race from one end of the classroom to the other. Show a small relay baton and describe how it’s used in relay races.
4. Health Benefits (10 minutes): Talk about the health benefits of running in short races. Mention that it makes their muscles and heart strong, keeps them fit, and gives them lots of energy.
5. Storytime (5 minutes): Read a short story from the storybook about children participating in a race. This reinforces what they’ve learned.

Learners’ Activities:

1. Students listen carefully to the teacher’s explanation.
2. They participate in a class discussion about what they see in the pictures.
3. Students answer questions and share their thoughts about athletics and short races.
4. They engage in the story by listening attentively.

Presentation:

Step 1: Start by showing pictures of athletes running and ask students what they see (5 minutes).

Step 2: Define athletics and explain it’s about running, jumping, and throwing (10 minutes).

Step 3: Explain short distance races and the use of a relay baton (10 minutes).

Summary / Conclusion:

Summarize the key points: Athletics involves running, jumping, and throwing. Short distance races are very short races, and they are good for our health.

Evaluation:

1. Short-distance races help make your __________ and heart strong. a) muscles b) shoes c) toys d) hair
2. Running in short-distance races helps you stay __________ and active. a) sleepy b) fit c) colorful d) funny
3. Short-distance races help you run __________. a) slower b) taller c) faster d) quieter
4. When you run in races, you can become __________ and have more energy. a) tired b) sad c) quiet d) active
5. What is a common racing path that goes in a circle? a) Triangle b) Square c) Track d) Ocean
6. In a relay race, how many runners are on a team? a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4
7. Relay races involve passing a __________ to the next runner. a) toy b) baton c) book d) fruit
8. Hurdle races are like sprints but with __________ to jump over. a) bananas b) birds c) hurdles d) clouds
9. What do you have to jump over in a hurdle race? a) Mountains b) Trees c) Hurdles d) Pencils
10. In a steeplechase, you jump over __________ and a water pit. a) clouds b) bridges c) hurdles d) flowers
11. Short-distance races help you stay __________ and __________. a) unhappy, tired b) fit, active c) sad, slow d) hungry, sleepy
12. What do you need to start quickly in short-distance races? a) Bicycles b) Rockets c) Starting blocks d) Umbrellas
13. Athletes in short-distance races try to reach the __________ line quickly. a) start b) finish c) middle d) top
14. Teamwork is important in __________ races. a) dancing b) swimming c) relay d) painting
15. Short-distance races are a great way to stay __________ and __________. a) healthy, happy b) sad, tired c) slow, grumpy d) busy, noisy

Conduct a class activity where students line up for a short race. Observe their running abilities and enthusiasm.

Assessment / Class Activity:

Have a brief discussion with the students to reinforce what they’ve learned. Ask questions like:

1. What is athletics? a) A sport with running, jumping, and throwing. b) A sport with swimming and cycling.
2. What are short distance races? a) Races that are very short. b) Races that are very long.
3. Name one health benefit of running in short races. a) It makes our muscles and heart strong. b) It makes us tired.
4. What did you learn about athletics today?

Homework:

Ask students to draw a picture of an athlete running in a short distance race and write a short sentence about what they’ve learned today.