Enhancing Balance Skills in Primary Education
Justification: Balance in Motor Development
Justification: Balance is crucial in motor development, involving nerve centers that influence growth. It encompasses static balance (maintaining posture) and dynamic balance (movement control). This unit targets 8-9 year-olds, focusing on static and dynamic balance, aligning with the LOGSE curriculum and adapting to the Canary Islands Autonomous Community guidelines.
Core Competencies
Key competencies include: G) Learning to Learn: Fostering student initiative and collaborative learning. H) Personal Autonomy and Initiative: Encouraging creativity and self-directed exercise.
Learning Objectives
Objectives:
- Understand static and dynamic balance.
- Identify and apply different balance types.
- Recognize balance’s importance in physical activity.
- Develop static and dynamic balance and motor skills through games.
- Improve problem-solving in balance situations.
- Foster enjoyment and respect among peers.
- Enhance self-confidence in abilities.
Content
Concepts: Static and dynamic balance, equilibrium and disequilibrium, benefits of balance.
Procedures: Experimenting with balance, body control, applying balance in various situations.
Attitudes: Safety, confidence, awareness of balance’s importance.
Methodological Orientations
The methodology emphasizes playful learning, adapting to individual paces. It avoids long waiting times and promotes teamwork and creativity. Teaching styles include assignment and reciprocal teaching, using initial disclosure and knowledge of results. Organization involves small groups, pairs, and individual work, fostering socio-emotional interaction.
Evaluation
Evaluation Criteria:
- Significance of tasks.
- Motivation during tasks.
- Effort of each student.
- Understanding and application of balance types.
- Collaboration in pairs or groups.
- Appropriate motor execution.
Curricular Adaptations
For a student with lower body stroke effects, especially in the left foot, significant curricular changes are made. Adaptations ensure full integration, using equal basis, aids, or adjustments depending on the activity.
Session Plan: Dynamic Coordination and General Equilibrium
Session No.: 1
Year: 3rd Primary
Specific Objectives:
- Improve problem-solving in static and dynamic balance situations.
- Maintain balance on stable and unstable objects.
- Increase confidence in abilities.
Contents: Dynamic balance, static balance, body control.
Material: Benches, mattresses, hoops, foam blocks.
Introduction:
- “Pillar with No Lines”: Group game, avoiding being tagged by staying on lines.
- “Pulso Gitano”: Pairs push each other to move a foot off the line.
Activity 1: “Pirate Fight”: Pairs on benches push each other with shoulders.
Activity 2: “Take in Pairs”: Tag game, caught pairs stand on tiptoes.
Cool-down: Students balance foam blocks on heads, move through obstacles, collect materials, and perform relaxation exercises.
Time: 50 minutes