Athletics - Lesson 4

In Reception's fourth lesson on athletics from the Striver Lesson Plans, children are encouraged to develop their jumping skills, specifically targeting the high jump. The learning objectives are set to enable pupils to clear a low-level obstacle at speed and to throw in a competitive scenario. The lesson is structured to include a warm-up, main activities, and a cool-down, each designed to improve the children's physical abilities in a fun and engaging way. The warm-up consists of 'Animal Walks', where children mimic various animal movements to explore different types of motion and balance. This playful approach not only prepares their bodies for the lesson but also stimulates their imagination and recall skills.

The main part of the lesson is divided into two key activities. First, the 'Straight Over' activity focuses on jumping, where pupils run and leap over a rope tied between two posts, choosing their jumping style and ensuring they do not touch the rope. The second activity, 'Beanbag Throws', involves aiming and throwing beanbags into hoops at varying distances to score points, promoting both coordination and competitive spirit. These activities are supported by key teaching points, such as maintaining control, balance, and proper landing techniques for jumps, and focusing on aim and body positioning for throws. To wind down, the cool-down session uses miming in pairs, encouraging pupils to lead and follow actions that include stationary jogging, stretching, and jumping, reinforcing the key points of the high jump and ensuring a gentle transition out of physical activity.