Grade 4 Cross-curricular Lesson Plan: A World of Sports

Lesson Overview

‍

Sports is a language, a dance and a ritual that students around the world enjoy. Through sports and competition in this lesson, we approach themes of standards in Social Studies, Physical Education and Humanities.

‍

Make this lesson interactive by signing up for free.

‍

Lesson Objectives & Curriculum Alignment
‍

All Touchable Earth lessons are designed by learning designers, elementary teachers and global education experts coming together and adapting our unique content into activities that hone cross-disciplinary skills and engage students of all learning styles.
‍

• Cultural Understanding: Students explore the diversity of games and sports, highlighting the universal enjoyment and the ways they reflect cultural values.
  ‍
• Physical Health: Emphasizes the role of play in maintaining physical health and fostering teamwork and sportsmanship.
  ‍
• Global Connections: Through examples from around the world, students see how similar activities foster connections across different cultures.

‍

If you want to see more of the metholodoly and why we won a United Nations award for the original content included in Touchable Earth, make sure to check it out here.

‍

Introductory Activities

‍
Let's start this lesson with a small warm up (yep - that was a dad joke on pupose!). No answers are wrong, this activity was designed to get young students excited to particpate in group activities and think of the sports they play and love.

‍

Would you rather...

• high jump above a bar
• long jump across sand

Would you rather...

• score the winning goal
• make an amazing save! 

‍

Would you rather? 

• wear the coolest jersey
• wear comfortable clothes? 

‍

Would you rather? 

• play an individual sport
• play a team sport

‍

Would you rather? 

• play for your team
• cheer for your team from the stand! 

‍

Each week we share the best lesson plan ideas, resources and fun activities to supplement your lessons with world adventure

‍

‍

Children Around the World

‍

Touchable Earth includes original content from over 25 communities around the world. In this lesson plan we are starting off our world adventure by visiting Guatemala, where Mario Josue and his friends have started a game of football

‍

‍

Up next, we are heading to Nepal where Roop will show us how to play a game of table tennis. This is a much faster sport! 

‍

If you are enjoying this lesson, also make sure to check out World Languages for Grade 4 students.

‍
Have you heard of a sport known as pioneerball? That's what Anton and his friends play on their spare time

‍

‍

Lastly, let's head over to Romania where Emanuel and his friends play with snowballs. This might not be a sport but it sure makes for a fun competition! 

‍

‍

Get access to all videos and activites in Touchable Earth by signing up for a free account here.

‍

‍

Activities
‍

to keep this lesson offline, keep reading.

Lessons are not complete without activities to engage students inside or outside the classroom.

Inside the Touchable Earth web-applicaton you can access

over 1000 videos and interactive activities and build custom lessons for your students. Get started today for free.

‍

‍

‍

Discussion Ideas

‍

The videos showed kids playing a variety of sports, some with teams and some individually.  What are some of the benefits of playing on a team?

‍

• Storytelling: Write a story about a memorable experience you had with a team sport. Describe a challenge you faced as a team and how you worked together to overcome it.
• Can you think of any other sports traditions from your own culture or others you've learned about? Why might some cultures have special clothes or rituals for playing sports?
  ‍

Blended Activities/Projects Ideas:

‍

‍Dig Deeper: Sport & CultureSports have a rich history and cultural significance! Choose a sport from the video clips that sparked your curiosity. Become a sport detective and research:
‍

• The history of the sport: Where and when did it originate?
  ‍
• Cultural connection: How does this sport connect to the values and traditions of the country it's played in?
  ‍
• Rules and variations: Are there any interesting differences in how the sport is played compared to your own culture?

Turn your findings into a captivating presentation, a colorful poster, or a short video to share with your classmates!‍

‍

Track Your Activity: Move It or Lose It!

‍We saw how much fun kids have playing sports around the world! But staying active is important even when you're not playing a specific game.For one week, become a "Movement Master" and track your physical activity:
‍

• Keep a log of your daily activities - running, jumping, playing outside, even dancing!
• Discuss the importance of staying active with your classmates. How does exercise benefit your health and well-being?

Meet the Local Stars: Interview an AthleteThe world of sports is full of inspiring stories! Interview a local athlete who comes from a different sport or cultural background than yours. Prepare some questions to learn more:
‍

• What sport do they play?
• How is it played in their culture?
• How do sports connect people from different backgrounds?

Share your interview experience and the athlete's insights with the class!

‍