Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Physical Exercise and Physical Activity

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 fundamental to establish a solid understanding of what is expected of students by the end of the lesson. By clearly defining the objectives, students can better direct their efforts and focus during practical activities, ensuring they are correctly applying the concepts of Physical Exercise and Physical Activity. This section also serves as a guide for the teacher, directing them on which aspects to emphasize and how to assess student learning.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to clearly differentiate between Physical Exercise and Physical Activity, identifying the characteristics and purposes of each.

2. Develop the ability to apply the knowledge gained about Physical Exercise and Physical Activity in practical and everyday situations, promoting a deeper understanding of the impact of these practices on health and well-being.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage critical reflection on the importance of regular Physical Exercise and Physical Activity for physical and mental health.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction aims to engage students and activate their prior knowledge by using problem situations that make them think critically about the distinction between Physical Exercise and Physical Activity. Additionally, the contextualization with everyday examples aims to show the relevance of the topic, preparing the ground for a practical and meaningful application of the content during the lesson.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine a friend of yours claims that playing sports and going to the gym is the same as actively playing video games, since they all involve physical movement. How would you explain the difference between Physical Exercise and Physical Activity to them?

2. Consider the case of a person who walks 10,000 steps every day but never does weight training or cardio. Are they achieving the benefits of an active lifestyle? Discuss the concept of Physical Activity and whether these steps would be considered Physical Exercise.

Contextualization

To understand the importance of differentiating between Physical Exercise and Physical Activity, it is relevant to observe that many people may be active in their daily lives but not engaged in structured exercise activities. For example, a farmer who spends the day working in the field may be physically active but not necessarily following a specific exercise program. With this distinction, it is possible to recognize that the diversity of physical activities can contribute to health and well-being in different ways.

Development

Duration: (75 - 85 minutes)

The Development section's main objective is to allow students to apply the knowledge gained about Physical Exercise and Physical Activity in a practical and creative manner. Through playful and challenging activities, students can explore, discuss, and solidify their understanding of how to differentiate and integrate these concepts into a healthy lifestyle. Choosing only one activity allows for a deeper immersion in the topic, ensuring that students can explore all the nuances and concepts presented.

Activity Suggestions

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

Activity 1 - Movement Olympics

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop the ability to plan diverse physical activities that include both structured Physical Exercises and more playful Physical Activities.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups of up to five people and challenged to create and execute a plan of exercises and physical activities that includes elements of Physical Exercise and Physical Activity. Each group will receive various materials such as balls, cones, ropes, and other sports equipment available at school, and they must plan a series of exercise stations that address different aspects of physical conditioning.

- Instructions:

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

• Distribute the available sports materials.

• Ask each group to plan an exercise circuit that includes at least one station for Physical Exercise and one for Physical Activity.

• Groups should note the name of each station and the specific activity to be performed at each.

• After planning, each group will execute the circuit they created, while others observe and provide feedback on the execution and the distinction between Physical Exercise and Physical Activity.

Activity 2 - Movement Detectives

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance students' understanding of the distinction between Physical Exercise and Physical Activity through critical analysis and justification of their choices.

- Description: Students, organized in groups, will take on the role of 'movement detectives'. Each group will receive a set of cards with descriptions of physical activities performed by different characters (such as a professional athlete, a college student, and an active grandmother). The challenge will be to classify each activity as Physical Exercise or Physical Activity and explain the reason for their choice.

- Instructions:

• Organize the class into groups of no more than five students.

• Give each group a set of cards with descriptions of physical activities.

• Ask each group to classify the described activities as Physical Exercise or Physical Activity, justifying their choices.

• Each group will present their conclusions and justifications to the class.

• Promote a group discussion about the different interpretations and classifications of the activities.

Activity 3 - Body Builders

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Visualize and understand how different types of physical activities contribute to health and well-being, reinforcing the distinction between Physical Exercise and Physical Activity.

- Description: In this simulation game, students will create 'models' of healthy bodies using different types of physical activities. Each group will receive cards representing different types of exercises and activities, such as running, swimming, dancing, and yoga. They must choose and place the cards in an 'exercise area' on the floor, organizing them to construct a balanced and healthy body.

- Instructions:

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

• Provide each group with a set of cards representing different types of physical activities.

• Groups should choose and position the cards on the floor to represent a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

• Each group will present their model of 'healthy body' and explain why they chose each activity.

• Promote a discussion about different ways to maintain an active lifestyle.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to consolidate students' practical and theoretical learning, allowing them to reflect and discuss their experiences. Through group discussion, students have the opportunity to verbalize and confront their ideas, which helps clarify concepts and deepen understanding. Additionally, this stage serves to assess the degree of students' understanding of the distinction between Physical Exercise and Physical Activity, preparing the ground for future applications of the acquired knowledge.

Group Discussion

To start the group discussion, the teacher can ask: 'What were the most significant challenges you faced in differentiating and integrating Physical Exercise and Physical Activity in your practical activities?' This approach helps engage students, allowing them to share their experiences and learnings collaboratively. The teacher should encourage each group to present their conclusions and main ideas, promoting an environment of mutual respect and knowledge exchange.

Key Questions

1. How would you define Physical Exercise and Physical Activity now, after the practical activities?

2. What is the importance of differentiating these concepts for our health and well-being?

3. Is there any activity you performed that could be modified to include more elements of Physical Exercise or Physical Activity?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion is to reinforce and summarize the main learnings of the lesson, ensuring that students have a clear understanding of the concepts of Physical Exercise and Physical Activity and how they manifest in practice. Additionally, it aims to highlight the importance of the lesson by connecting theory and practice meaningfully, preparing students to apply this knowledge in their daily and future lives.

Summary

In this lesson, students explored and differentiated Physical Exercise from Physical Activity using practical and theoretical methods. Through activities like 'Movement Olympics', where they created and executed exercise plans, and 'Movement Detectives', which challenged them to classify physical activities, students solidified their understanding of the concepts.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson effectively connected theory and practice, enabling students to apply theoretical concepts to practical and playful situations. This approach not only facilitated the understanding of the concepts but also demonstrated the relevance of differentiating and integrating Physical Exercise and Physical Activity into a healthy lifestyle.

Closing

Understanding the distinction between Physical Exercise and Physical Activity is crucial, as it directly influences health and wellness choices. By the end of the lesson, students were able to see how these concepts apply in daily life, helping them make more informed decisions about their physical practices.