Teacher Utilisation of Emergent Literacy Skills in the Teaching of Physical Education in the Primary Schools of Lundazi District

Abstract

Today, children play hide and seek, football and netball; they dance at night, wrestle amongst themselves, run around and ride bicycles. Behind these activities are the rules which make the children continue playing together and obey when a rule has been made. The aim of the study was to assess the teachers’ utilization of the emergent literacy skills in the teaching of physical education in the primary schools of Lundazi district. The objectives of the study were to: assess the teachers’ utilization of the emergent literacy skills in the teaching of physical education in the primary schools of Lundazi district and to establish the strategies being used by teachers to teach new topics in Physical Education in the primary schools of Lundazi district. The study adopted a qualitative approach and the sample was drawn from 4 schools that were randomly sampled using a raffle draw which comprised of 5 teachers from 4 schools who were purposively sampled. This totalled up to 20 teachers teaching from grades one up to grade four. Data collection was done using class observation, focus group discussion guide and an interview guide and data was analysed thematically. The findings were that the study established that children entered school with the social knowledge which they acquired from the games and activities they played and enjoyed. The social knowledge according to this study included the cordial interaction amongst children, which enabled them continue playing together despite having minor differences. Teachers used this knowledge to make learners form groups and learn from each other as brothers and sisters in harmony. Teachers established that they used a variety of teaching techniques so that learners could learn the new knowledge and skills in a PE class. Learners had knowledge of different activities and games which they played at home and in school. These games and activities equipped the learners with athletic, rhythmic and manipulative knowledge, social, hygienic, accuracy, numeracy and critical thinking skills which teachers used in their teaching of PE to Grade One in primary schools. It can be recommended that teachers should be encouraged by their superiors to develop a positive attitude towards the teaching of PE in schools. This would help learners continue acquiring the different literacies, values and attitudes which are endowed in PE activities. This can be enhanced through CPDs and teacher group meetings (TGMs). Teachers should also be encouraged to reflect different traditional games in the schemes and records of work