A relay team can have the fastest runner in Primary 4 and still lose the race if the baton hits the ground. This Primary 4 Physical and Health Education second term lesson note turns sports-day skills into teachable steps: the right-to-left baton exchange, pacing a two-lap run without gasping by the first bend, and the four phases of a long jump and a high jump, broken down so pupils succeed in the sand pit, not just admire it from the sidelines.

Second Term Scheme of Work

The notes follow the NERDC scheme of work for Primary 4. Here is the full term at a glance:

Weeks 1 to 6

Week	Topic	Content
1	Relay Races (Part 1)	What is a relay race, running as a team, the baton, simple relay games without a baton, waiting your turn, safety rules
2	Relay Races (Part 2)	Baton exchange technique, changeover zone, pre-acceleration, running and passing, full relay race practice, teamwork
3	Middle Distance Races	Difference from sprinting, steady pace and the talk test, rhythmic breathing, correct arm swing, timed run, safety
4	Long Distance Races	Even pacing strategy, hydration, signs of dehydration, mental strength, endurance run, encouraging others
5	Mid-term examination	Simple running tests and relay games
6	Mid-term break	Rest and relaxation period

Weeks 7 to 13

Week	Topic	Content
7	Long Jump (Part 1)	Four phases (run-up, take-off, flight, landing), one-foot take-off, arm swing and knee drive, sand pit safety
8	Long Jump (Part 2)	Finding a personal run-up mark, counting steps, landing without falling backward, measuring and recording jumps
9	High Jump (Part 1)	Four phases (approach, take-off, clearance, landing), approach angle, lead leg clearance, safe landing, safety rules
10	High Jump (Part 2)	Scissors Jump technique, curved approach, landing on feet, personal best heights, cheering for friends
11	Revision	Practice of all running and jumping activities, relay games, team activities
12	Examination	End of term assessment (practical tests)
13	Closing	Result distribution and vacation announcement

Free Sample: Weeks 1 and 2

Read the full lesson notes for the first two weeks below. Every other week uses the same layout.

WEEK 1: Relay Races (Part 1)

Class: Primary 4   |   Subject: Physical and Health Education   |   Duration: 40 minutes

Topic: Relay Races (Part 1)   |   Sub-topic: What is a Relay Race, Running as a Team, The Baton, Simple Relay Games, Waiting Your Turn

Instructional material

• Batons (4 per team); if unavailable, use short wooden sticks or rolled newspapers
• Cones or markers to mark the relay lanes and changeover zones
• A whistle for the teacher and a stopwatch or clock for timing
• A flat, open field or school compound

Learning objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

• Explain what a relay race is and how it differs from a solo running race
• Describe how a relay team of four people works together
• Demonstrate how to hold a baton correctly
• Participate in simple relay games and practise waiting their turn

Entry behaviour / prior knowledge

Pupils can run and have participated in simple running races. They know what teamwork means in group play and have likely watched or taken part in school sports day activities, but may not have formally learnt relay race rules and techniques.

Content

What is a Relay Race?

A relay race is a running race where a team of runners takes turns running part of the total distance. Each team member (called a leg runner) runs one section and then passes an object to the next runner. Relay races require speed and teamwork together – even a very fast runner can cost the team the race with a poorly passed baton.

Running as a Team of Four

In a standard relay race, there are four runners: the 1st leg runner starts the race, the 2nd leg runner receives the baton and runs the second section, the 3rd leg runner receives and runs the third section, and the 4th leg runner (anchor) – usually the fastest – receives the baton and runs to the finish line.

The Baton

The baton is the stick, about 30 centimetres long, passed between runners. If the baton is dropped, the runner must stop, pick it up, and continue – costing valuable time. Hold the baton in the lower half, not at the end and not in the middle, with a firm but relaxed grip, in the dominant hand, held slightly away from the body so it is easy to pass.

Simple Relay Games Without a Baton

Before using batons, pupils practise the concept of relay racing through tagging games. In a tag relay, instead of passing a baton, you touch (tag) your teammate’s hand to pass the turn: teams of equal numbers send one runner at a time to a cone and back, tagging the next runner’s hand on return, continuing until everyone has run.

Waiting for Your Turn

While waiting for the baton, a relay runner must stand in the correct position facing the direction they will run, watch the incoming runner carefully, start moving (pre-accelerating) just before the incoming runner arrives, and stay focused rather than looking around or talking to friends.

Safety Rules for Relay Races

• Always warm up before running, and run in your own lane
• If you fall, move off the track immediately so others do not trip over you
• Do not push or hold other runners; wear proper sports shoes or run barefoot on grass, avoiding slippery surfaces
• Drink water before and after running, not in the middle of a sprint; if dizzy or short of breath, stop and tell the teacher

Lesson presentation

Introduction (Step 1): The teacher gathers pupils on the field and asks whether anyone has run in a relay race and what makes it different from running alone, then demonstrates a simple relay run with helpers so pupils can visualize the concept.

Explanation (Step 2): The teacher explains the meaning of a relay race, the four legs, and the baton, demonstrates the correct grip, explains the tag relay rules, and teaches the safety rules.

Pupil participation (Step 3): Pupils practise holding the baton individually, pass it along a line, then play the tag relay game in teams while the teacher corrects posture, grip, and lane discipline.

Evaluation and conclusion (Step 4): The teacher asks oral questions on the meaning of a relay race, the parts of a relay team, and baton grip. Pupils cool down with gentle stretching, and the teacher gives the assignment.

Lesson evaluation

1. A relay race is a running race where ____

a. a team of runners takes turns running and passing a baton   b. one person runs the whole distance alone   c. runners race without any object   d. only the fastest person runs

2. How many runners are in a standard relay team?

a. Four   b. Two   c. Six   d. Eight

3. The stick passed between runners in a relay race is called the ____

a. baton   b. broom   c. javelin   d. hurdle

4. When holding the baton, you should grip the ____

a. lower half   b. very top end   c. exact middle   d. anywhere you like

5. The last runner in a relay team is called the ____

a. anchor runner   b. starter   c. second leg   d. third leg

6. In a tag relay, instead of a baton, runners ____ their teammate’s hand

a. tag (touch)   b. push   c. hold   d. wave at

7. While waiting for your turn, you should ____

a. watch the incoming runner and prepare to move   b. sit down and rest   c. chat with friends   d. look away

8. If you drop the baton during a race, you should ____

a. stop, pick it up, and continue running   b. leave it and continue   c. ask a teammate to pick it up   d. sit down

Theory

1. Explain what a relay race is. How is it different from a solo running race?
2. Describe the four runners (legs) in a relay team and what each one does.
3. State five safety rules that must be followed during relay race practice.

Assignment

• Written: Draw four runners in a relay race, label them 1st to 4th leg (anchor), with arrows showing the direction each runs.
• Written: Explain in your own words how to hold a baton correctly, with three things to remember about the grip.
• Practical: At home, practise a simple tag relay with friends or siblings and write two things you learnt.

WEEK 2: Relay Races (Part 2)

Class: Primary 4   |   Subject: Physical and Health Education   |   Duration: 40 minutes

Topic: Relay Races (Part 2)   |   Sub-topic: Baton Exchange Technique, Right Hand to Left Hand, Running and Passing, Teamwork

Instructional material

• Batons (4 per team) and cones to mark changeover zones
• A whistle and stopwatch
• A chalk line or rope to mark lanes on the field
• A flat, open field or school compound

Learning objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

• Demonstrate the correct technique for passing the baton from one runner to the next
• Execute the right-hand-to-left-hand baton exchange correctly
• Run a short relay race as part of a team with proper baton exchanges
• Demonstrate teamwork, encouraging teammates and not dropping the baton

Entry behaviour / prior knowledge

In Week 1, pupils learnt what a relay race is, how to hold the baton, the four running legs, and played the tag relay game. This week they focus on the critical skill of actually passing the baton from one runner to the next while both are running.

Content

The Baton Exchange

The baton exchange (also called the changeover or handover) is the moment when one runner passes the baton to the next. This is the most important and difficult skill in relay racing. The exchange happens inside a marked changeover zone on the track; if the exchange happens outside this zone, the team is disqualified.

Right Hand Gives, Left Hand Receives

The outgoing runner (who is waiting) holds out their left hand behind them, palm facing up. The incoming runner (who has the baton) brings it to their right hand and places it firmly into the waiting left hand. The outgoing runner does not look back – they keep their eyes forward and their hand steady behind them, then can switch the baton to the right hand once running.

Running and Passing – The Moving Exchange

Once pupils can do the standing exchange, they practise it while running. The outgoing runner must start moving (pre-acceleration) before the incoming runner arrives. If they wait until the incoming runner is right behind them, both will be moving slowly and the exchange will be messy. Practice moves from walking, to jogging, to a full running exchange.

Not Dropping the Baton

The outgoing runner’s hand must be completely still and steady – shaking or moving the hand makes it impossible to place the baton accurately. The incoming runner must push the baton upward into the waiting hand, not just place it loosely, and the outgoing runner must close their fingers around it immediately. Calling out “baton!” or “stick!” when ready to pass helps both runners coordinate.

Full Relay Race

In a full relay race, four teams of four set up a course with four legs. All 2nd, 3rd and 4th leg runners stand at their starting cones. The teacher blows the whistle, all 1st leg runners start, each runner exchanges the baton right to left with their teammate, and the 4th runner crosses the finish line. The first team to cross the line with the baton wins.

Safety Rules: Baton Exchange

• Never throw the baton – always place it directly in your teammate’s hand
• Stay in your lane during all exchanges, and do not grab or snatch the baton
• If the baton drops in the exchange zone, both runners should stop safely before retrieving it, never diving or falling to pick it up
• Cool down and stretch after all running activities

Lesson presentation

Introduction (Step 1): The teacher reviews the tag relay from Week 1 with a quick practice, then demonstrates a baton exchange with a pupil helper, asking the class to observe which hand gives, which receives, and whether the outgoing runner looks back.

Explanation (Step 2): The teacher explains the right-to-left exchange rule, demonstrates pre-acceleration, models the correct hand position, and explicitly corrects the most common errors.

Pupil participation (Step 3): Pupils complete the exchange practice in sequence – standing, walking, jogging, then a full relay race – while the teacher circulates to correct hand positions and timing.

Evaluation and conclusion (Step 4): The teacher asks oral questions on exchange technique. Pupils cool down with light stretching, and the teacher summarizes the teamwork lessons and gives the assignment.

Lesson evaluation

1. In a relay exchange, the incoming runner holds the baton in their ____ hand to give it

a. right   b. left   c. either   d. both

2. The outgoing runner stretches back their ____ hand to receive the baton

a. left   b. right   c. either   d. both

3. When waiting to receive the baton, the outgoing runner should look ____

a. forward in the direction they will run   b. back at the incoming runner   c. sideways to their competitor   d. down at the ground

4. The marked zone where the baton must be exchanged is called the ____

a. changeover or exchange zone   b. starting zone   c. resting zone   d. finish zone

5. The outgoing runner must start moving ____ the incoming runner arrives

a. before   b. after   c. exactly when   d. three seconds after

6. To avoid dropping the baton, the outgoing runner’s hand must be ____

a. completely still and steady   b. moving forward only   c. closed before the baton arrives   d. pointing downward

7. If the baton is exchanged outside the changeover zone, the team is ____

a. disqualified   b. given a warning only   c. asked to repeat the exchange   d. given an extra point

8. Which of these is the correct relay exchange?

a. Incoming runner’s right hand to outgoing runner’s left hand   b. Incoming left hand to outgoing right hand   c. Both runners use right hands   d. The baton is thrown to the next runner

Theory

1. Describe the correct technique for passing the baton. Which hand gives and which receives?
2. Explain what “pre-acceleration” means in relay racing and why it is important.
3. State five mistakes that can cause a relay team to lose. How can each mistake be avoided?

Assignment

• Written: Draw two relay runners during a baton exchange, labelling the incoming and outgoing runner and which hand holds and receives the baton.
• Written: Write five teamwork rules that are important in a relay race and explain why each matters.
• Practical: Practise baton exchanges with a friend or sibling at home, using any stick as a baton, and write one thing you found easy and one that was difficult.

Weeks 3 to 13 (Locked)

The remaining weeks are in the full lesson note. Each one has objectives, content, the four-step lesson presentation, evaluation questions, theory questions and an assignment.

What You Get

• Thirteen weeks of lesson notes, from relay races and distance running to long jump and high jump
• Learning objectives, instructional materials and entry behaviour for every week
• Clear content in simple English that suits Primary 4 pupils
• A four-step lesson presentation: introduction, explanation, pupil participation, evaluation
• Evaluation questions, theory questions and an assignment each week
• An editable Word file, so you can add your school name and change any part

Price and How to Order

The full Primary 4 Physical and Health Education second term lesson note costs ₦1,000. After payment, we send your file on WhatsApp.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which class and term is this lesson note for?

It is for Primary 4, second term, and it follows the NERDC curriculum.

What format do I receive?

You receive an editable Word file. You can print it or change it to suit your school.

Can I read a sample before I buy?

Yes. Weeks 1 and 2 are free on this page, so you can check the quality first.

How long does delivery take?

We send the file on WhatsApp soon after your payment is confirmed.

Do I need a proper sand pit or track for these lessons?

No. Every activity is written for an ordinary school field or compound, with simple safety adaptations noted where equipment like a sand pit isn’t available.