Zimbabwe Grade 1 Physical Education Syllabus

This syllabus outlines the Physical Education curriculum for Grade 1 students in Zimbabwe, covering the period from 2015-2022. It emphasizes a holistic approach to development, focusing on psychomotor skills, social, physical, emotional, moral, and cognitive growth. The syllabus prioritizes access for all learners regardless of background or current skill level.

Aims

The curriculum aims to enable learners to:

• Make informed decisions regarding health, safety, and well-being.
• Develop fundamental Physical Education skills.
• Build teamwork skills, confidence, and self-esteem.
• Cultivate an appreciation for aesthetics in motion.
• Develop an appreciation for Zimbabwe's diverse cultural values.
• Foster a sense of community based on Zimbabwean norms and values (Unhu/Ubuntu/Vumunhu).
• Experience fun, enjoyment, and entertainment.
• Develop a sense of fair play, achievement, and self-awareness.
• Establish a solid base for future Physical Education studies.

Syllabus Objectives

By the end of Grade 1, learners should be able to:

• Identify different parts of the human body.
• Apply safety and responsibility principles related to themselves, others, equipment, and facilities.
• Understand the connection between physical activity and optimal health.
• Explore various balancing skills.
• Demonstrate coordination of body parts.
• Demonstrate athletic skills such as running, jumping, and throwing.
• Acquire social skills related to Zimbabwean cultural values.
• Experience accomplishment and enjoyment through diverse activities.
• Show improvement in flexibility, strength, and endurance.
• Execute basic aquatic skills.
• Demonstrate teamwork, sportsmanship, fair play, and honesty.

Topics

The syllabus covers the following topics:

1. Human Body: Learning about different body parts. 2. Safety and Health: Understanding and applying safety rules and promoting healthy habits. 3. Balances: Exploring and performing various balancing activities. 4. Locomotion/Movement: Developing fundamental movement skills. 5. Coordination: Enhancing coordination of body parts in different activities. 6. Aquatic Skills: Introduction to basic water skills and safety. 7. Play and Game Skills: Developing skills related to receiving, sending, and traveling in games. 8. Kids Athletics: Practicing basic running, jumping, and throwing techniques.

Methodology and Time Allocation

The syllabus recommends a variety of interactive and engaging teaching methods, including demonstration, guided discovery, problem-solving, experimentation, discussion, games, quizzes, storytelling, song and dance, role-playing, simulation, and group projects. Educational tours and the use of resource persons are also encouraged.

Grade 1 students are allocated five 30-minute Physical Education periods per week.

Assessment

Assessment is continuous, based on achieving learning outcomes for each topic. It comprises 90% continuous assessment and 10% summative assessment (practical test). Continuous assessment includes practical topic tasks and theory tests. Accommodations and modifications are made for learners with special needs.