Lesson Plan: Critical Action in Physical Education and Health

Subject: Physical Education and Health

Year Level: 12

Duration: 50 minutes

Class Size: 24 students

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Curriculum Context:

This lesson is aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum standards for Physical Education, specifically targeting Level 8 outcomes. The focus is on Critical Action, which involves students critically examining physical activity and developing and implementing action plans to enhance well-being. This aligns with the Health and Physical Education strands: Personal Health and Physical Development, Movement Concepts and Motor Skills, and Healthy Communities and Environments.

Learning Objectives:

1. Students will critically analyse a current health-related issue impacting teenagers in New Zealand.
2. Students will collaboratively develop an action plan aimed at addressing the issue within their school or community.
3. Students will understand and apply the principles of critical action in the context of health and physical education.

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Lesson Overview:

Introduction (10 minutes)

- Activity: Brief discussion on what critical action means in the context of PE and Health.
- Guidance: Introduce a recent study or news article about a prevalent health issue affecting teenagers in New Zealand. This could focus on mental health, physical inactivity, or nutritional habits.

Activity Setup (5 minutes)

- Task Explanation: Explain that the class will split into groups to critically analyse the issue introduced. Each group will propose a viable action plan to tackle the problem at a community or school level.
- Grouping: Divide the class into 6 groups of 4 students each.

Group Work: Research and Planning (20 minutes)

- Research: Each group uses tablets or computers to gather more data about how widespread the problem is and what solutions have been proposed or tried previously both locally and globally.
- Action Plan Development: Students develop a detailed plan that includes specific actions, resources needed, potential partners, and measurement of success.
- Guidance and Resources: Provide students with access to local health data portals such as the Ministry of Health NZ and resources on project planning.

Group Presentations (10 minutes)

- Presentation: Each group presents their problem analysis and action plan to the class.
- Peer Feedback: Encourage constructive feedback from students and teachers, focusing on the feasibility and creativity of the action plans.

Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes)

- Reflection: Have students individually write down one thing they learned about health issues and one way they can personally contribute to the action plan in their own lives.
- Homework Assignment: Students are to refine their group's action plan as homework, incorporating peer and teacher feedback.

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Assessment:

- Formative Assessment: Ongoing observation during group activities and note-taking of students' engagement and understanding.
- Summative Assessment: Evaluation of the final group action plans and individual reflections.

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Resources Needed:

- Access to internet-connected devices.
- Projector to display discussion pointers and group presentations.
- Reference materials on health issues from credible sources.
- Whiteboards or flip charts for brainstorming.

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Success Criteria:

- Students demonstrate a clear understanding of the critical action approach by identifying relevant issues and developing thoughtful, practical action plans.
- Effective collaboration in groups.
- Ability to provide and incorporate feedback constructively.

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This lesson plan not only covers important curriculum goals but also encourages students to engage with real-world issues in a meaningful way, enhancing their learning and development towards becoming competent and thoughtful members of society.