Lesson Plan | Socioemotional Learning | World Fights

Objectives

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to introduce students to the theme 'Martial Arts of the World', establishing an initial connection with the cognitive and socio-emotional skills necessary for understanding the subject. By clearly defining the objectives, students will be better prepared to engage in subsequent activities, focusing on both content and emotional development.

Main Goals

1. Recognize and describe the main martial arts around the world, understanding their characteristics, history, tournaments, and competitions.

2. Develop socio-emotional skills by recognizing and naming the emotions associated with learning about martial arts and their histories.

Introduction

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes

Emotional Warm-up Activity

Deep Breathing for Focus and Concentration

The Deep Breathing activity is a simple and effective technique to promote focus, presence, and concentration among students. It involves practicing slow and controlled inhalations and exhalations, which helps calm the mind and reduce stress. Deep breathing is a powerful tool that can be used to create a more peaceful and receptive learning environment.

1. Explain to the students that today's activity will start with a deep breathing exercise, which will help them focus and prepare for the lesson.

2. Ask the students to sit comfortably in their chairs, with their feet on the ground and their hands resting on their laps.

3. Instruct the students to close their eyes or to keep their eyes gently focused on a point in front of them.

4. Tell the students to slowly inhale through their nose, counting silently to four.

5. Ask the students to hold their breath for a moment, counting silently to four.

6. Instruct the students to slowly exhale through their mouth, counting silently to four.

7. Repeat the breathing cycle (inhale, hold, exhale) for about five minutes.

8. Encourage the students to pay attention to how their bodies feel during the exercise and to focus solely on their breathing.

9. Conclude the activity by asking the students to slowly open their eyes and return their attention to the classroom.

Content Contextualization

Martial arts around the world are not just physical competitions, but they also carry rich stories of culture, discipline, and overcoming challenges. By studying these martial arts, we can better understand the emotions and challenges faced by those who practice them. Furthermore, recognizing how these activities impact society helps us develop empathy and social awareness.

For example, judo, a Japanese martial art, focuses not only on physical strength but also on the philosophy of 'yielding to win'. This teaches us about resilience and self-control, critical skills both inside and outside of competitions. Likewise, boxing, which has played a significant role in social and cultural movements, can show us how sport can be a means of personal and social transformation.

Development

Duration: 60 - 75 minutes

Theoretical Framework

Duration: 20 - 25 minutes

1. Judo: Judo is a Japanese martial art created by Jigoro Kano in 1882. Its name means 'gentle way' and emphasizes the use of the opponent's strength against them. Judo is characterized by throwing techniques and ground immobilization. It also has a strong philosophy of respect and discipline.

2. Karate: Originating from Okinawa, Japan, Karate means 'empty hands'. It focuses on strikes with hands and feet and includes forms known as 'katas'. Karate also involves a philosophy of personal development and self-control.

3. Taekwondo: A Korean martial art known for its high and fast kicks. 'Tae' means 'foot', 'Kwon' means 'hand', and 'Do' means 'way'. Taekwondo is not just a sport, but also a discipline that teaches respect and perseverance.

4. Boxing: Boxing is a combat sport where two fighters wear gloves and try to hit each other primarily on the head and body. It is one of the oldest combat sports and has a rich history of legendary champions and significant events.

5. Muay Thai: Known as the 'art of eight limbs', Muay Thai is a Thai martial art that uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. It is famous for its effectiveness in real fights and also for its rituals and cultural traditions.

6. Wrestling: A style of combat found in various cultures worldwide. In wrestling, fighters use grappling techniques, throws, and immobilizations. It is popular in both amateur and professional competitions.

Socioemotional Feedback Activity

Duration: 35 - 40 minutes

Exploring Emotions in Martial Arts

In this activity, students will work in groups to explore the emotions associated with the different martial arts studied. Each group will be responsible for a specific martial art and will create a presentation highlighting the emotions involved for both practitioners and spectators. They should also consider the causes and consequences of these emotions.

1. Divide the class into six groups, assigning each group one of the discussed martial arts (Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling).

2. Ask the groups to discuss and write down the emotions they believe are associated with practicing and observing their specific martial art.

3. Instruct the groups to reflect on the causes of these emotions. Ask: What makes a fighter feel this emotion? What leads spectators to feel these emotions?

4. Ask the groups to consider the consequences of these emotions. How do these emotions affect the fighters' performance? How do they impact the spectators' experience?

5. Guide the groups to create a 5-minute presentation where they share their findings with the class. The presentation should include examples and, if possible, real stories or narratives of fighters.

6. Encourage the students to be creative in their presentations, using visual elements, dramatizations, or even small enactments to illustrate the emotions discussed.

Group Discussion

After the presentations, conduct a group discussion using the RULER method to guide the socio-emotional feedback. Start by recognizing the emotions that emerged during the presentations and understanding the causes and consequences of these emotions. Name the emotions correctly, encouraging students to use precise emotional vocabulary.

Express emotions appropriately, highlighting how the practice and observation of martial arts can evoke complex feelings. Finally, help the students to regulate their emotions by discussing strategies that fighters and spectators can use to manage their emotions effectively. Ask: How do fighters deal with anxiety before a competition? How might spectators balance excitement and frustration while watching a match?

Conclusion

Duration: 20 - 25 minutes

Emotional Reflection and Regulation

Suggest that students engage in written reflection or participate in a group discussion about the challenges faced during the lesson and how they managed their emotions. Ask them to describe how they felt while learning about martial arts, working in teams, and presenting to the class. Encourage students to identify specific moments when they felt strong emotions and reflect on how they responded to those emotions. Finally, ask them to share strategies they used or could have used to regulate their emotions during those situations.

Objective: The objective of this activity is to encourage students to self-assess their experiences and emotions throughout the lesson. By reflecting on the challenges faced and the emotions felt, students can identify effective strategies for dealing with challenging situations in the future. This practice of self-reflection and emotional regulation is essential for developing socio-emotional skills, helping students to become more self-aware and to better manage their emotions in different contexts.

Closure and A Look Into The Future

Explain to the students the importance of setting personal and academic goals related to the lesson content. Ask them to think about one personal and one academic goal they want to achieve in the future, related to the martial arts studied or the skills developed during the lesson. For instance, a personal goal might be to practice a breathing technique to reduce anxiety before a presentation, while an academic goal could be to research more about the history of a specific martial art. Encourage students to write down these goals and share them with the class, promoting a collective commitment to personal and academic growth.

Possible Goal Ideas:

1. Practice breathing techniques to improve self-control.

2. Research more about the history of a specific martial art.

3. Participate in a trial class of a martial art.

4. Develop a presentation on the cultural influence of a martial art.

5. Establish a study schedule to deepen knowledge about martial arts. Objective: The objective of this subsection is to strengthen students' autonomy and the practical application of learning. By setting personal and academic goals, students are encouraged to continue developing both academically and personally. This practice promotes continuity of development, helping students to apply the skills and knowledge gained in future situations, thereby reinforcing ongoing learning and self-sufficiency.