Athletics I Physical and Health Education SS1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 4

Physical and Health Education SS1 First Term Lesson Notes

Week 4: Athletics I

1. Subject: Physical and Health Education

2. Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1)

3. Term: First Term

4. Week: 4

5. Age Group: 14–15 years

6. Topic: Athletics I

7. Sub-topic: Overview of Athletics in Nigeria, Types of Track Events, Constructing a Standard Athletics Oval

8. Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

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

1. Explain the history and importance of athletics in Nigeria.
2. List and describe different types of track events in athletics.
3. Outline the steps to construct a standard athletics oval.

Keywords:

• Athletics: A group of sports involving physical strength, speed, and endurance, including running, jumping, and throwing.
• Track Events: Competitive running races held on a track, including sprints, middle-distance, and long-distance races.
• Athletics Oval: A standard track layout used for running events, typically oval in shape and standardized in dimensions.

Set Induction

Ask students if they have ever watched or participated in a track event, such as races during their school’s sports day. Discuss what they observed and the different types of races. Explain that athletics is a significant sport globally and has a rich history in Nigeria.

Entry Behavior

Students may have experience with running events or may have watched popular athletic events like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, or national sports competitions.

Learning Resources and Materials

1. Visuals of a standard athletics oval.
2. Chart of different track events (sprints, relays, long-distance races).
3. Measuring tape for track layout demonstration.

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge

Review students’ previous knowledge about competitions and introduce the idea that athletics is a foundational sport with events focused on running, speed, and endurance.

Embedded Core Skills

• Physical Fitness
• Discipline
• Teamwork

Learning Materials

• Textbook: Lagos State Unified Scheme of Work
• Reference Books: Lagos State Physical and Health Education textbook for SS1

Instructional Materials

• Charts showing the structure of a standard athletics oval and illustrations of different track events.

Content

1. History and Importance of Athletics in Nigeria
   • Athletics has been a key sport in Nigeria, with events such as sprinting, long-distance races, and relays being highly popular.
   • Nigeria has produced renowned athletes like Chioma Ajunwa and Blessing Okagbare, who have represented the nation in global competitions, bringing home medals and enhancing the country’s reputation in sports.
2. Types of Track Events in Athletics
   • Sprints: Short-distance races that focus on speed, typically 100m, 200m, and 400m races.
   • Middle-Distance Races: Races that require both speed and endurance, like the 800m and 1500m.
   • Long-Distance Races: Races that test endurance, such as the 5000m and 10,000m races.
   • Relays: Team events where runners pass a baton to one another, e.g., 4x100m and 4x400m relays.
   • Hurdles: Races where athletes jump over obstacles, such as the 110m hurdles for men and 100m hurdles for women.
3. Constructing a Standard Athletics Oval
   • Dimensions: A standard track is 400 meters in circumference, with two straight sections and two curves.
   • Lane Markings: Tracks are marked with lanes, usually eight lanes, each about 1.22 meters wide.
   • Safety Zones: The track must have adequate space around it to ensure safety for the athletes.
   • Materials: Most tracks are made of synthetic materials to provide a smooth and safe surface for runners.
   • Examples of Athletics Tracks: The National Stadium in Abuja and other major stadiums across Nigeria.

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (15)

1. Athletics involves sports such as running, jumping, and _____ (a) swimming (b) throwing (c) dancing (d) reading.
2. Track events in athletics include _____, where athletes run over a short distance (a) relays (b) sprints (c) marathons (d) high jumps.
3. The 100m race is an example of a _____ (a) long-distance (b) middle-distance (c) sprint (d) jump event.
4. An athletics oval is generally _____ in shape (a) rectangular (b) oval (c) square (d) circular.
5. Nigeria has produced famous athletes like _____ (a) Kanu Nwankwo (b) Chioma Ajunwa (c) Sani Abacha (d) Olamide.
6. The 4x100m is an example of a _____ event (a) sprint (b) relay (c) jump (d) throw.
7. Long-distance races test an athlete’s _____ (a) speed (b) endurance (c) strength (d) balance.
8. A standard athletics track is _____ meters in circumference (a) 200 (b) 300 (c) 400 (d) 500.
9. Relays involve passing a _____ between teammates (a) ball (b) baton (c) pole (d) stick.
10. Middle-distance races require a mix of speed and _____ (a) flexibility (b) height (c) endurance (d) power.
11. Hurdles involve _____ during a race (a) swimming (b) jumping (c) sitting (d) standing still.
12. The 800m race is a type of _____ race (a) sprint (b) middle-distance (c) long-distance (d) relay.
13. The National Stadium in Abuja has a _____ for athletic events (a) pool (b) gym (c) track (d) playground.
14. Standard lanes on a track are about _____ meters wide (a) 1.2 (b) 2.5 (c) 1.5 (d) 2.0.
15. Synthetic materials are used on tracks to make them _____ for runners (a) rough (b) slippery (c) smooth (d) steep.

Evaluation Questions (15 FAQs with Answers)

1. What is athletics?
   Athletics is a collection of sports, including running, jumping, and throwing.
2. What are track events?
   Track events are competitive running races held on an athletics track.
3. What are examples of sprint events?
   Examples include the 100m, 200m, and 400m races.
4. What is a middle-distance race?
   Middle-distance races are events like the 800m and 1500m, requiring both speed and endurance.
5. How long is a standard athletics oval?
   It is 400 meters in circumference.
6. What materials are commonly used for athletics tracks?
   Synthetic materials are used to provide a safe and smooth surface.
7. What is the purpose of lanes on a track?
   Lanes ensure each athlete has their own space and provide safety during races.
8. What are relays?
   Relays are team events where runners pass a baton to each other.
9. What is a hurdle race?
   In hurdle races, athletes jump over obstacles at regular intervals.
10. Why are synthetic materials used on tracks?
    To provide a smooth, safe, and consistent surface for running.
11. Who is a famous Nigerian athlete in track events?
    Chioma Ajunwa is known for her achievements in athletics.
12. What is the purpose of an athletics oval?
    It provides a standard space for track events.
13. What is a long-distance race?
    Races like the 5000m and 10,000m that test endurance.
14. What is the 4x100m race?
    A relay event where four runners each run 100m.
15. Why are tracks oval in shape?
    This design helps athletes maintain speed and manage turns effectively.

Presentation

Step 1: (Revision of the previous topic)

• Review the competitive sports covered last week, focusing on the benefits of competition.

Step 2: (Introduction of new topic)

• Introduce the concept of athletics, describing its history in Nigeria, and the types of track events.

Step 3: (Student Contributions and Corrections)

• Encourage students to discuss any experience with athletics or relay races and share any observations on track layout. Clarify concepts as needed.

Teacher’s Activities

• Explain the history of athletics in Nigeria and show examples of track events.
• Describe the layout of a standard athletics oval and guide students on constructing it.
• Discuss notable Nigerian athletes in athletics.

Learner’s Activities

• Engage in discussions, sharing knowledge of athletics and track events.
• Participate in a practical demonstration on measuring and marking a sample athletics oval.

Assessment

• Observe students as they discuss types of track events and attempt to describe or draw a standard athletics track.
• Use the fill-in-the-blank questions to assess students’ understanding.

Evaluation Questions (10)

1. How would you define athletics?
2. Name two track events that involve running.
3. How do relay races differ from individual races?
4. What is the importance of having lanes on a track?
5. Describe the features of a standard athletics oval.
6. Name one famous Nigerian athlete who excels in athletics.
7. What type of race would a sprinter specialize in?
8. How does the shape of the track contribute to a runner’s performance?
9. What materials are used in constructing a track, and why?
10. What is the 4x100m relay event?

Conclusion

Summarize the key concepts about athletics, including types of track events and the construction of a standard athletics track. Encourage students to participate in athletics, as it is an important sport for fitness and competition.