Gymnastics 1 - Lesson 5

In Year 2 Gymnastics Lesson 5, the learning objectives are set to enhance the pupils' ability to distinguish and confidently perform low and medium level gymnastic shapes. The success of the lesson is measured by the pupils' ability to consolidate these shapes and effectively contrast them during their performances. The key vocabulary for this lesson includes terms like dish, arch, pike, tuck, straddle, entrance, exit, linking, balance, and control. The equipment required for the lesson comprises 15 safety mats and 40 to 50 cones, which are used to create a safe learning environment and to facilitate the activities planned for the session.

The lesson starts with a 10-minute warm-up where the class teacher establishes a safe zone with cones and models the expectations for finding space and responding to stop and go signals. The main 35-minute session includes a recap of previously learned low and medium level shapes such as pike, tuck, dish, arch, and straddle. Pupils practice these shapes, focusing on contrasting positions rather than mirroring, and engage in discussions about the different points of contact and the concept of contrast. They then perform sequences that include an entrance, a low level shape, a medium level shape, and an exit, with emphasis on good posture and pointed toes. The lesson concludes with a 10-minute cool-down, where pupils reflect on their performances and discuss the differences between low and medium level shapes, using the learned vocabulary to describe their own and their partners' performances.