4.1 Gymnastic activities

Life orientation

Grade 7

Physical development and movement

Module 15

Gymnastics activities

[lo 4.2]

A series of gymnastics movements creates an ideal opportunity for individual assessment.

Material : Gymnastics mats and any other gymnastics apparatus increase the learners’ scope of choice.Learners spend the first 15 minutes of the lesson on working out their series and practising their movements. The teacher must give advice and assistance. Allow learners to explore their personal creativity.

Each learner must prepare a series of gymnastics movements that cover the following:

a) Opening

b) Forearm balancing

c) Backward roll

d) The headstand

e) The Arab spring

f) Position/movement of own choice

g) Closing

Within the scope of these movements attention must be given to changing of form, speed and direction, as well as to balance, rotation and elevation.

Aspects that can be assessed are the following:

• accuracy in performing the movements
• posture
• fluency with which the series is performed

Criteria for assessment (a mark out of 10):

One mark is deducted for each error.

1. Complying with the instructions
2. Fluency.
3. Maintaining the positions for approximately four seconds
4. Timing
5. Accuracy

NB: The following aspect is important in executing the headstand:

• The position is executed like the forearm balancing position with the exception that the hands and the head form a triangle.

NB: In executing the backward roll the following aspects are important:

• Begin with an outstretched position and then bend the ankles, knees and hips.
• Sit down, bend the arms and place the hands behind the head.
• Roll backwards, with bent knees. Move over from the shoulders to the hands.
• Exert strong pressure with the hands to continue with the movement.

End in a squatting position.

To ensure that the knees stay together, the learner can grip a beanbag between the knees.

NB: In executing the Arab spring the following aspects are important:

(Remember that the leap is basically a cartwheel movement with a quarter turn.)

• Start as one would for the cartwheel, but place the hands at a backward angle (diagram).
• Execute the turn on the hands, with the legs splayed to the back and the fore.
• With strong hand support, kick downwards with the legs held together.

Assessment