CREATIVE ARTS & SPORTS — Subtopic: ATHLETICS AND MOSAIC

Subject: Creative Arts and Sports | Level: Age 14 (Kenyan context)
Short guide with classroom activities, safety notes and simple visuals to teach athletics (track & field) and mosaic (visual art made from small pieces).

Learning outcomes

• Understand basic athletics skills: sprint start, baton exchange, long jump approach and landing, and pacing for middle-distance runs.
• Plan and create a small mosaic using safe, everyday materials and Kenyan patterns.
• Develop teamwork, observation, steady hand control, creativity, discipline and safe working habits.
• Connect art and sport: design a sports-themed mosaic such as a school athletics logo or Sports Day mural.

Part A — Athletics (track & field basics)

Overview for teachers

Athletics include sprinting, relays, middle- and long-distance running, jumping and throwing events. At school level (age 14) focus on correct technique, safety and fair play. Use local examples — watch clips of Kenyan stars like David Rudisha (800m) and Faith Kipyegon (1500m) to inspire students.

Warm-up (10–15 minutes)

• Light jog 3–5 minutes around the field.
• Dynamic stretches: leg swings, high knees, butt kicks, arm circles (2 sets each).
• Strides: 4 x 50 m at increasing speed (rest walking back).

Basic drills and teaching points

• Sprinting start: practice "on your marks — set — go" from standing and crouch starts. Teach ankle, knee and hip alignment; lean slightly forward.
• Relay baton exchange: practise blind hand-off in a 20–30 m exchange zone; mark exchange zone with cones. Emphasise communication and smooth pass.
• Long jump: run-up rhythm (usually 12–18 steps), take-off from one foot, arms help for lift, land with knees up to reduce forward fall.
• High jump (basic): approach J-curve, clear bar using hands for balance — use foam mats and low heights for beginners.
• Middle-distance pacing: teach even-split running and how to judge effort using perceived exertion and simple lap splits.

Safety and equipment

• Check track/field for holes, rocks and wet patches. Clear hazardous objects.
• Use cones, tape lines and foam mats for jumping practices. Supervise all throwing events closely.
• Encourage proper shoes and hydration. Stop if a student feels pain — arrange first aid.

Simple assessment ideas

• Record times or distances and compare improvement over 4 weeks.
• Use a short checklist: warm-up participation, correct technique, safety rules followed, teamwork during relays.

Part B — Mosaic (visual art project)

Overview for teachers

Mosaic is creating images or patterns using small pieces (tiles, glass, beads, stones). For schools, use safe materials: coloured tiles, broken ceramic (edges sanded), beads, bottle caps, colored paper or painted stones. Encourage Kenyan cultural patterns such as kanga motifs, Maasai bead rows, or school shield/athletics symbols.

Materials (low cost, local)

• Baseboard: plywood, wooden board, or thick cardboard (sealed with glue).
• Tesserae (small pieces): broken tiles (edges taped or sanded), coloured glass (supervised), painted pebbles, beads, bottle tops, cut coloured paper or foam.
• Adhesive: PVA (white) glue, tile adhesive for heavier tiles.
• Grout alternative: fine sand mixed with white PVA for classrooms, or ready-made grout with adult supervision.
• Tools: tweezers, plastic knife, gloves, safety goggles (if using glass), small paintbrush for glue.

Step-by-step activity: Make a 20cm x 20cm sports-themed mosaic panel (approx. 2 lessons)

1. Lesson 1 — Plan & prepare (40–50 min)
   • Sketch design on paper: choose a simple symbol (running shoe, torch, school shield, or a runner silhouette).
   • Transfer the design onto the board with pencil. Divide into a grid if needed for arranging tiles.
   • Sort tiles/tesserae by colour and size.
2. Lesson 2 — Stick & finish (50–60 min)
   • Apply adhesive in small sections; place tesserae following the design. Use tweezers for small pieces.
   • Leave to dry as instructed by the glue (usually overnight for PVA).
   • Apply grout or sand–glue mix to fill gaps (teacher supervised). Wipe off excess with a damp cloth once slightly set.

Design tips (Kenyan motifs)

• Use simple repeated shapes for Maasai bead patterns: alternate colours in rows.
• Use bright kanga colours (red, yellow, blue, green) for strong contrast.
• For school sports murals, include small pictures of runners, javelins or a trophy — keep shapes bold, not detailed.

Safety

• Always supervise when using glass or sharp tiles. Prefer smooth stones, bottle caps or paper tesserae for younger groups.
• Wear gloves when handling rough items. Use goggles if cutting tiles.
• Keep workspace tidy; clean glue spills immediately.

Assessment rubric (simple)

Use a 3-level rubric: Excellent (3), Satisfactory (2), Needs Improvement (1).

Integration idea: Sports Day mosaic

Combine both topics by organising a class project to make a large mosaic banner for the school Sports Day. Students can: design team logos, practice athletics skills in the morning and complete mosaic panels in art lessons. Display the finished work at the school fence or hall.

Cross-curricular links

• Maths: measure board area, count grid squares, calculate materials needed.
• Science: glue chemistry, why certain adhesives work better outdoors.
• History/Culture: discuss Kenyan textile patterns, beadwork and national sporting heroes.

Reflection questions for students

1. What part of athletics practice did you find hardest and how will you improve?
2. How did your mosaic design reflect Kenyan culture or our school team?
3. What safety steps did you follow and why are they important?

Quick checklist for teachers

• Prepare cones, tape, mats and first-aid kit for athletics lessons.
• Collect safe mosaic materials in advance; sort colours into trays.
• Set clear time for wet glue and drying — plan next lesson accordingly.
• Encourage students to document progress with photos or short notes (for assessment).

Note: Adapt materials and activities to available school resources. For activities involving glass or sharp tiles, request extra adult supervision or use safer substitutes such as painted pebbles, bottle tops, or coloured paper tiles.