A very special thank you goes out to Andy Fidler and the School Page of the UK for the lesson plan sample below. This is an example taken from the National Curriculum Key Stage 1. To order contact the UK Services page.

Gymnastic Activities
The School Page UK ® © 1996 PDRS UK

Reception: Unit 1 of 6 for Key Stage 1

Lesson 3  
Aims:
1. Moving safely on variety of body parts and using space within a theme of travelling.
Objectives:
1.1 Pupils plan and perform simple skills safely.
Learning Outcome:
1.1 Pupils demonstrate safe use of personal and general space while working within a theme of travelling.
Resources:
No resources are required for this lesson.
Pre-lesson planning:
No specific pre-lesson planning is necessary.

Activity

Teaching Points
Warm-up (3 mins.)  
Hop and skip into a new space and jump. On landing, hold the position.
Repeat but move quietly then change to jumping with flat feet and make a noise with the feet.

Hold the landing position with stillness and control the breathing.

Only allow the children to move off into a new space on the teachers command.
Remind the children about the command to stop
and sit down.


Adopt a wide base if stillness is to be achieved.
Main Activity (17 mins.)  
Revision on safe movement.
Quiet movement, stopping on the teacher command in a free space. Note the variety of body shapes when in the position of stillness.



Reduce the general space available for the class to work in. Emphasise the need for greater care with reduced space.


Travelling on different body parts.
Can you find ways of travelling with hands and feet touching the floor?
Change the direction in which you travel. Moving forwards, backwards and to the side.


Show examples of simple hand / foot movements for the class to copy. A class activity where they all move to the right with their hand / foot movements before moving to the left or forwards or backwards can be used at this point.

Watch for appropriate use of space as the class moves around.
  • Note the variety of body shapes adopted.
  • Look for curved and zigzag, pathways.
  • Don’t allow the children to touch each other.

    • Be aware of safe use of space. The class will be using a lot of space for this activity. It is also physically quite demanding so work in short periods of time.


    Establish the qualities of light movement. Moving with control using the ball of the foot and on fingertips as well as the palms of the hands.

    Conclusion (2 mins.)  
    Begin in a stretched position taking up as much space as possible and step into a small position.
    Roll on the floor and stretch out again.

    Repeat the same sequence of movements.     		Looking to establish the basic rudiments of controlled movement and repetition of these same movements.


    Without specific reference to body shape which is highlighted in ‘Unit 2’ the children are beginning to adopt a variety of shapes, although you will have referred to ‘positions.’

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