Grade 8Creative Arts & Sports

Swimming OR Indigenous Game (Optional)

Optional: advanced swimming techniques OR Kenyan indigenous games — rules and play.

📖 4 min read · 3 worked examples · 5 practice questions

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The lesson

We'll focus on three main goals: first, understanding the CBC framework for the Performing strand; second, learning basic swimming techniques and the rules of the Kenyan game "Moran"; and third, building safety awareness, teamwork, and cultural appreciation. Take a quick look at the bullet points—each one guides what we'll explore together today. Let's keep our energy up, ask questions whenever something isn't clear, and enjoy discovering both the sport and the cultural story behind it.

Everyone, let's talk about how you can choose your focus for the next activity. You have two exciting pathways to explore. Option A is Advanced Swimming. Here we'll work on freestyle technique, backstroke basics, and breathing control—skills that will make you faster and more confident in the water. Option B is an Indigenous Game. You can try the Mancala‑style "Sungura" or learn the rules and play of "Kirikiti," both rich in cultural heritage and strategy. Whichever path you choose, you'll develop coordination, strategic thinking, and a deeper appreciation of our local culture. Both pathways are valuable, so pick the one that excites you most! Any questions before we split into groups? Let me know which option you're leaning toward.

Everyone, let's dive into the three core swimming techniques that we'll be practicing today. First, the freestyle arm pull: keep your elbows high and shoulders relaxed—think of pulling a rope with your forearm leading the way. At this line chart. You can see how stroke efficiency improves from beginner to advanced swimmers—seconds per 25 m drop as technique gets better. Next, the backstroke body roll. Imagine a streamline position, like a sleek canoe gliding through water, rolling gently with each stroke. Finally, breathing rhythm—use bilateral breathing every three strokes so both sides stay balanced, just like alternating steps when running a race around the school track.

The title: Indigenous Game – "Sungura" Rules. This traditional Kenyan game is a great way to see how sport can be both fun and culturally meaningful. First, the basic setup: two teams of five players each, and a small wooden ball. The ball stays in the air only with your feet, just like a mini‑football drill, for a full 30 seconds. Each successful pass scores one point, and if a player manages a 'jump‑catch'—catching the ball while it's still in the air after a jump—that earns an extra point. Here's a quick comparison table between Sungura and the more familiar "Kirikiti". Notice the differences in equipment, the space you need, and the skill focus: Sungura emphasizes footwork and quick passes, while Kirikiti relies more on hand‑batting techniques. To recap, Sungura is played with a wooden ball, five‑player teams, 30‑second foot‑only rallies, and points for passes and jump‑catches. Keep these rules in mind, and you'll be ready to try a short demonstration soon.

Worked examples

– Calculating Stroke Count

Class, let's work through our first example: calculating how many strokes you need to swim 100 meters. Here we have the given data: swimming 25 meters takes 15 seconds and you use 20 strokes in that distance. First we find strokes per meter by dividing total strokes by distance: 20 ÷ 25 equals 0.8 stroke per meter. If one meter needs 0.8 of a stroke, then 100 meters will need 0.8 × 100, which is 80 strokes. The interpretation is simple: fewer strokes to cover the same distance means a more efficient technique. Great job following the steps!

– Scoring a Sungura Round

Class, let's walk through Worked Example 2 – how we score a Sungura round. First, look at the numbers: Team A made 12 passes and 3 jump‑catches, while Team B made 9 passes and only 1 jump‑catch. Remember the scoring rule: each pass is worth one point, and each jump‑catch counts double, so the formula is Score = passes + 2 × jump‑catches. Applying the formula, Team A gets 12 + 2 × 3 = 18 points. Team B gets 9 + 2 × 1 = 11 points. The final result: Team A wins this round with 18 points to 11. Any questions before we move on?

– Breathing Pattern Adjustment

Class, let's dive into Worked Example 3 – Breathing Pattern Adjustment for our 200‑meter freestyle. Here's a simple table that compares two breathing patterns. Pattern A has a breath every two strokes, giving about four breaths per 100 m, while Pattern B breathes every three strokes, roughly 2.7 breaths per 100 m, which we'll round to three. Notice this note: breathing less often can reduce drag, but it might make you feel more fatigued. For Grade 8 swimmers, I recommend starting with Pattern B. It balances efficiency with comfort, and you can always adjust if you feel too tired. Take a look at the numbers again—if you're comfortable, you could try Pattern A, but always monitor how your body feels during the swim.

Practice questions

  • Once you've answered, we'll review the results together and clear up any lingering doubts.
  • First, remember the simple ratio we used: strokes per metre stay constant if the stroke rate doesn't change. You'll need to set up a proportion to find how many strokes are required for a longer distance.
  • The Sungura scoring question is just basic addition—each pass is one point, each jump‑catch is three points. Add them up to get the final tally.
  • For the breathing pattern, think about how many breaths per 100 m felt uncomfortable and then choose a slightly higher frequency that still feels manageable for a 200 m swim.
  • Finally, when you explain bilateral breathing, focus on how alternating the side you breathe on helps keep the body's rotation balanced, leading to a more symmetrical stroke.

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