This lesson is designed to combine the benefits of outdoor activity with engaging phonics practice. It introduces a playful approach by incorporating a hopscotch game that reinforces letter sounds, digraphs, and blending skills. By embracing movement, the lesson sets an energetic tone that supports literacy and boosts confidence in primary pupils. 

Objective 

This lesson aims to reinforce knowledge of letter sounds, digraphs, and blending skills, all of which are crucial for developing strong literacy foundations. It encourages pupils to master these phonemic elements by engaging in active play. The expected learning outcomes include improved phonics accuracy and a better understanding of how sounds combine to form words. 

The lesson also emphasises active learning through movement and play, which helps to increase phonics fluency in a fun and memorable way. It connects physical activity with cognitive processes, stimulating pupils to engage with the sounds more confidently. Ultimately, the activity supports primary pupils in their journey to becoming proficient readers and writers. 

Materials 

The activity requires essential items such as chalk for use on pavements or large laminated cards if the lesson is conducted on grass, providing visual aids that display phoneme cards clearly. A well-defined outdoor space is necessary to ensure safety and allow for free movement while playing.  

Optional word cards may be introduced for extended play, offering additional challenges and opportunities to practise phonics. The target phonemes include single letters, blends such as bl and cr, and digraphs like sh, ch, and th as noted in the guidelines.  

Duration 

This lesson is designed to last approximately 30 to 40 minutes, providing adequate time to cover all the activities in a balanced manner. The duration can be adjusted to suit different class sizes and levels of engagement, ensuring every pupil benefits fully. 

Preparation 

The first step involves drawing the hopscotch grid outside using chalk in a safe, clear outdoor area. It is essential to ensure that the space is free from hazards, allowing children to move freely without incident. This initial setup sets the foundation for an engaging and interactive lesson. 

Next, instead of using traditional numbers, each square of the hopscotch grid is marked with a phoneme, whether it is a single letter or a digraph, as described in the lesson plan. Teachers are encouraged to arrange these phonemes in either a standard layout or a creatively winding path, making the visual presentation exciting. This substitution is crucial for transforming a simple game into a dynamic phonics exercise. 

Finally, prepare a list of familiar words that incorporate the target sounds, with examples such as 'ship', 'dog', and 'chat'. This list aids pupils in recognising and recalling the sounds during the lesson. Such preparation ensures that every child is ready to engage effectively with the activity and supports their phonemic awareness. 

Activity Steps 

The lesson commences with a warm-up stage where the teacher pronounces each phoneme aloud and invites the children to repeat them. Pupils are prompted to think of words that begin with or contain these sounds. This energetic start sets a focused and enthusiastic tone for the rest of the activity. 

The next stage introduces the Call-and-Hop game, where a chosen word, for example 'chin', is called out and children hop to the corresponding phoneme squares matching the sounds such as ch, i, and n. This activity not only checks for recognition of sounds but also injects excitement through movement. It is an effective way to combine auditory skills with physical coordination. 

Following this, the Sound to Word Challenge and Blending Race are incorporated into the session. In the Sound to Word Challenge, the teacher points to a specific phoneme on the grid and asks for a corresponding word, while the Blending Race involves hopping from one phoneme to the next to build simple words like 'cat'. These exercises highlight the importance of accuracy in sound recognition and word formation. 

The final activity step involves a Team Relay, where children are divided into small groups and each team competes by hopping to the sequence of phonemes that form a word. Points are awarded based on speed and precision, fostering a sense of competitive yet collaborative learning. This stage emphasises teamwork and reinforces the learning objectives through shared participation. 

Extension Activities 

To further enhance learning, the lesson includes a Writing Challenge where children either write down or draw the word they hopped to during the game. This creative exercise encourages pupils to personalise their learning experience and to consolidate phonics skills through writing. Additionally, it gives them a chance to design their very own hopscotch grid, further reinforcing the lesson content. 

Another exciting extension involves adapting the game to a Syllable Hop, where each syllable in a word corresponds to one hop, such as jumping twice for the word 'spi-der'. This adaptation helps in understanding word segmentation and the rhythm of language. Such variations keep the lesson dynamic and allow for differentiated learning based on the pupils' evolving abilities. 

Assessment/Observation 

Teachers should assess the lesson by listening for correct pronunciation of the phonemes as children participate. Observations should focus on pupils' abilities to blend and segment words orally, confirming that they are applying the concepts learned. Evaluating overall participation and confidence levels throughout the activity provides insight into the effectiveness of the lesson and indicates areas for further support. 

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