Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Games and Fun: Hopscotch

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is crucial for guiding both the teacher and the students on the learning focuses of the lesson. By clearly establishing what is expected to be achieved, this section acts as a map for subsequent activities, ensuring that all efforts are aligned with specific educational goals. Moreover, by defining clear objectives, students can better direct their attention and efforts during practical activities, maximizing the effectiveness of learning.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to understand and execute the rules and movements of hopscotch, promoting the development of motor and cognitive skills.

2. Encourage interaction and cooperation among students through the game of hopscotch, fostering the practice of social skills and the formation of emotional bonds.

Side Objectives:

1. Develop students' fine motor coordination, particularly in balance and movement precision.
2. Stimulate creativity and the adaptation of game rules for different contexts.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction stage aims to engage students through problem-based situations that prompt them to think critically about the hopscotch game, utilizing the prior knowledge acquired at home. Furthermore, the contextualization seeks to establish a connection between theoretical content and practice, showing the relevance of the game not only as a pastime but as an important part of culture and child development, thereby increasing student interest and motivation.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are in a park with your friends and find a sidewalk drawn with a hopscotch. How could you decide who starts playing?

2. Think of a rainy day when it's not possible to play hopscotch outdoors. How could you adapt the game to be played indoors, in a narrow corridor?

Contextualization

Hopscotch is a popular game that has roots in various cultures around the world, with variations ranging from Antiquity to modern times. Not only used as a form of entertainment but also as a means to develop motor and cognitive skills, the game of hopscotch is an excellent way to combine fun and learning. Additionally, hopscotch teaches notions of space, balance, and strategy, making it an educational and culturally rich game.

Development

Duration: (70 - 80 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to allow students to apply, in a practical and fun way, the prior knowledge acquired about hopscotch. Through playful and collaborative activities, students have the opportunity to explore different aspects of the game, such as motor coordination, creativity, and teamwork. Each proposed activity aims to solidify the understanding of hopscotch rules and promote essential social and physical skills, maximizing learning through practice.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Musical Hopscotch

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop coordination and synchronization among students' movements, besides promoting creativity and collaboration.

- Description: In this special version of hopscotch, students will combine movements with musical elements. Each number of the hopscotch will be associated with a specific sound. For instance, number 1 may correspond to a clapping sound, number 2 to a foot stomping sound, and so on. Students must jump in the correct order, following the numerical sequence and corresponding sounds, creating a musical choreography.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Explain the association of each hopscotch number with a specific sound.

• Ask each group to create a sequence of sounds for the numbers 1 to 10.

• Students should practice the sequence of movements and sounds similar to a choreography.

• Hold a final presentation where each group shows its choreography to the class.

Activity 2 - Building Hopscotch

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Stimulate collaboration and creativity in building a physical game, in addition to reinforcing the understanding of the hopscotch rules.

- Description: Students will create a giant hopscotch on the gym floor using materials such as colored tape. Each group will be responsible for designing, measuring, and decorating a section of the hopscotch, with freedom to add creative elements. After the construction, groups will teach the game rules to the class and participate in a competition.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Provide materials such as colored tape and chalk.

• Each group must choose a space in the gym and draw a section of the hopscotch.

• Groups must measure and mark the spaces correctly and add creative decorations.

• After construction, groups teach the rules to the class and participate in a competition.

Activity 3 - Sensory Hopscotch

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop trust and communication among students, as well as enhance sensory and coordination skills in a challenging context.

- Description: In this activity, students will explore hopscotch with their eyes blindfolded, relying entirely on touch and the guidance of classmates to complete the course. Each hopscotch number will have a different texture or object associated with it, challenging students to identify and memorize these characteristics to progress in the game.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Prepare the hopscotch with different textures on each number (e.g., sand, cotton, pebbles).

• One group member is blindfolded and must be guided by classmates to complete the course.

• The guides should use verbal commands to help their teammate choose the next number.

• Each group performs the activity once, alternating roles.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate learning through reflection and the sharing of experiences. By discussing in groups, students have the opportunity to verbalize what they have learned, hear different perspectives, and reflect on the impact of the activities on their personal and social development. This stage also serves to evaluate students' understanding of hopscotch concepts and the skills that were worked on, allowing the teacher to adjust future teaching approaches based on the feedback received.

Group Discussion

To initiate the group discussion, the teacher can invite each group to share their experiences, highlighting what they liked most and what they found most challenging in the activities. A round-robin approach can be used, where each group presents one positive point and one point for improvement. This format allows all students to have a voice and for the conversation to flow naturally.

Key Questions

1. What were the biggest challenges in adapting hopscotch for the different proposed versions?

2. How did coordination and communication within the group help overcome these challenges?

3. What did you learn about teamwork and creativity during the activities?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion stage is to consolidate learning, ensuring that students have a clear and integrated understanding of the explored content. Additionally, it aims to reinforce the importance of hopscotch as a practical and social learning tool, encouraging students to reflect on how the skills acquired can be applied in different contexts. This final reflection helps solidify knowledge and value learning through play.

Summary

In the conclusion of the lesson, the teacher should summarize the main points addressed about hopscotch, recalling the basic rules of the game, the variations explored, and the skills developed, such as motor coordination, balance, and creativity. It is essential that students have a clear and consolidated view of the content worked on.

Theory Connection

During the lesson, the connection between theory and practice was evidenced through activities that allowed students to apply the theoretical concepts studied at home in a practical and playful manner. Hopscotch, besides being a traditional game, proved to be an effective tool for integrating theoretical knowledge with physical and social practices, reinforcing the importance of active learning.

Closing

Finally, it's important to highlight the relevance of hopscotch not only as a game but as an integrated learning tool that promotes the development of essential skills for life in society. Through this game, students were able to experience the importance of balance, strategy, and teamwork, crucial elements for their personal and social development.