Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Games and Fun: Hot Potato and Pass the Ring

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 essential to direct students' focus on the most important aspects that will be addressed during the lesson. In this case, the goal is to ensure that students understand not only the rules and the history behind the games Hot Potato and Pass the Ring but also recognize the importance of these activities as tools for motor and social development. Establishing these clear objectives from the beginning helps maximize the benefit of the practical activities in the classroom.

Main Objectives:

1. Understand the origins and rules of the games Hot Potato and Pass the Ring, establishing a connection between these playful activities and the motor development of children.

2. Analyze the physical and social benefits provided by traditional games, such as strengthening motor skills, coordination, and the sense of cooperation.

Side Objectives:

1. Develop communication and cooperation skills among students during practical activities in the classroom.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of the Introduction stage is to engage students through problem-solving situations related to the games Hot Potato and Pass the Ring, stimulating the practical application of prior knowledge. Additionally, by contextualizing the importance of these games, students can perceive the relevance of studying these activities as an integral part of their motor and social development. This interactive and reflective start paves the way for a deeper and more rewarding exploration of the topics during the lesson.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are at a party with your friends and decide to play 'Hot Potato'. How would you choose who starts with the potato and how would you ensure everyone has an equal chance to participate?

2. Think of a situation where you need to pass a ring to someone in a room full of friends. What movement strategies would you use to avoid getting caught and complete the task quickly?

Contextualization

Hot Potato and Pass the Ring are games that have crossed generations, entertaining children and even adults. Besides being a form of entertainment, these activities have significant importance in the motor and social development of the participants. For example, the game of Hot Potato can help develop motor coordination and the sense of rhythm, while Pass the Ring promotes agility and reaction capacity. Interestingly, these games have variations in different cultures around the world, showing how play is a universal language.

Development

Duration: (65 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage in a lesson plan based on the flipped classroom methodology is crucial for students to apply and deepen the prior knowledge they acquired at home. Through the proposed activities, students will have the opportunity to practically and playfully experience the concepts of motor coordination, agility, reaction, and teamwork, which are essential for physical and social development. Each activity was planned to be carried out in groups, encouraging interaction and communication among students, as well as providing a fun and dynamic environment during learning.

Activity Suggestions

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

Activity 1 - Ring Race

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop motor coordination, reaction speed, and teamwork.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups of five. Each group will receive a ring that must be passed from one end to the other of a straight line without dropping it. The challenge is that each participant can only touch the ring once and, upon doing so, must run quickly to the other side of the line and pass the ring to the next teammate without dropping it.

- Instructions:

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

• Mark a straight line on the classroom floor or use cones to demarcate the path.

• Explain that the ring must pass from one end to the other of the line without touching the ground.

• Each student can only touch the ring once and must run to the other side of the line to pass it.

• The group that can pass the ring from one side to the other of the line in the shortest time, without dropping it, wins the activity.

Activity 2 - Musical Hot Potato

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Work on concentration, agility, and provide moments of physical activity interspersed with challenges.

- Description: Students will form a circle and must pass a ball (the 'potato') around the circle while music plays. When the music stops, whoever is with the ball must perform a physical challenge proposed by the teacher before restarting the music and the game.

- Instructions:

• Organize the students in a circle.

• Explain that the ball (potato) must be passed while the music is playing.

• When the music stops, whoever has the ball must perform a physical challenge proposed by the teacher (e.g., jump on one leg three times).

• After the challenge is completed, the music restarts and the ball continues to be passed.

• Repeat the process until everyone has completed a challenge.

Activity 3 - Coordination Challenge in the Ring Dance

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Encourage motor coordination, rhythm, and interaction among participants.

- Description: Students, in groups, will participate in an adapted version of the 'Ring Dance', where the goal is to perform a series of dance movements that involve passing the ring between participants without letting it fall to the ground.

- Instructions:

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

• Choose an upbeat musical rhythm.

• Explain the dance movements that students must perform in sequence, always passing the ring to the next teammate.

• The movements must be performed fluidly and coordinated, without dropping the ring.

• Each time the ring falls, the group must restart the sequence of movements.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this feedback stage is to consolidate the learning acquired during the practical activities, allowing students to reflect on their actions and the skills developed. Through group discussion, students have the opportunity to verbalize what they observed and learned, promoting a deeper understanding of the content and reinforcing the importance of teamwork and cooperation. This stage also serves for the teacher to assess the effectiveness of the activities and the students' understanding of the concepts of coordination and cooperation.

Group Discussion

At the end of the activities, gather all students for a group discussion. Start the conversation with a brief introduction, asking each group to share their experiences and learnings. Use the following questions to guide the discussion: 'What did you find most challenging in each activity?' 'How did collaboration and communication help your group overcome challenges?' 'In what ways can these games be applied to improve coordination and cooperation skills in other life situations?'

Key Questions

1. What strategies did you use to pass the ring or the potato without dropping it?

2. How did the music influence the dynamics of the Musical Hot Potato game?

3. In what way was coordination important in today's activities?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The conclusion stage aims to consolidate learning by linking practical activities with the theory previously studied. Furthermore, it seeks to reinforce the importance of traditional games not only as forms of entertainment but as valuable tools in the physical and social development of children. This moment of reflection and synthesis helps students to perceive the applicability of the concepts learned in contexts beyond the classroom, encouraging the continuity of learning and active engagement in physical and social activities.

Summary

In this lesson, we explored the games Hot Potato and Pass the Ring, reminiscing about childhood memories and learning about the importance of these playful activities. We reviewed the rules, variations, and how these games are not only fun but also contribute to the motor and social development of children.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson was a bridge between the theory studied at home and the practice in the classroom, where we were able to apply prior knowledge about motor coordination, reactions, and teamwork in dynamic and interactive activities. This practical approach reinforces learning and the importance of keeping motor and social skills active.

Closing

Finally, it is essential to highlight the ongoing relevance of traditional games in children's everyday lives. Besides providing moments of fun, these activities promote values such as cooperation, tolerance, and respect, which are fundamental for the development of conscious and healthy citizens.