Athletics - Lesson 5

The fifth lesson in the Year 1 Athletics Striver Lesson Plans focuses on developing pupils' ability to bowl and step with agility and skill. The lesson's objectives are clearly set out, aiming for students to master the art of throwing with precision and control. To achieve this, various pieces of equipment are used, including a stopwatch, marker cones, coloured bands, balls, and mats. The warm-up session is a playful activity called 'Tails', where two 'cats' chase 'mice'—the rest of the pupils—trying to remove their coloured bands within a set time. Teachers are reminded to emphasize safety and spatial awareness during this exercise to prevent collisions.

The main part of the lesson, lasting 30 minutes, is structured around a series of bowling and stepping activities. Pupils are divided into small groups and take turns practicing their bowling technique, aiming to knock down a cone or skittle. They are encouraged to focus on the weight and direction of their throw, and variations and extensions are provided to cater to different skill levels. The stepping activity involves pupils taking giant, springy strides across mats spaced over 5 meters apart, with key teaching points highlighted to ensure correct technique. The lesson concludes with a team bowling game where points are scored by hitting targets at various distances, followed by a cool-down session where pupils engage in a gentle jog and stretching exercises. Pupil talk prompts are provided to encourage reflection on the activities and to understand the importance of cooling down after exercise.