Motor Control
Primary 4 · Physical Education
Motor Control
Lesson 3 of 3
20 min
Let's begin
Umutoni watched gymnasts flipping through the air on television. "I could never do that!" she said.
Her teacher smiled. "Every gymnast in the world started with the simple shapes you can make today." In this lesson you will learn four body shapes and some balances, on your own and with a friend.
Gymnastics is a sport where you move and hold your body with strength, flexibility, balance and control. It began long ago in ancient Greece, and today it is an Olympic sport.
A balance means holding your body still without wobbling or falling. The body parts touching the floor are called points of contact. Fewer points of contact make a balance harder.
Hold each balance still while you count "one Kigali, two Kigali" up to five. To help you stay still: squeeze your tummy, stretch your arms out, and look at one spot that does not move.
Partner rules: agree on a "go" word and a "stop" word first, move slowly, and if one partner says stop, both come back up together.
Tip
Squeeze, point, freeze! Squeeze your tummy, point your toes, and freeze for 5 seconds. A shape only counts when you can hold it still.
Think about each one first, then tap Show answer to check.
Which shape has your arms and legs spread wide?
Answer: The star.
Which shape has your knees hugged to your chest and your chin down?
Answer: The tuck.
Mugisha wobbles when he stands on one foot. Give him two tips.
Answer: Squeeze your tummy, stretch your arms out, and look at one spot that does not move.
How many points of contact are there in a V-sit with your hands off the floor?
Answer: One: your bottom.
In a pull balance, what could happen if one partner lets go suddenly?
Answer: The other partner could fall backwards. That is why you agree on a stop word and come up slowly together.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
The story, the shapes diagram, the balance and partner activities and the practice were written by Ganzaa.
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Quick check
Match each body shape to how you make it.
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
