Gymnastics 3 - Unit Overview

The Gymnastics 3 unit for Year 2 pupils is a continuation and expansion of the foundational gymnastic skills developed in earlier units. In this overview, the focus is on enhancing dynamic balances, creating gymnastic shapes, and improving jumping and landing techniques. Additionally, the unit introduces partner work, where pupils will engage in balance and travel exercises using the mirror technique to mirror each other's movements. This unit is designed to build upon the pupils' prior knowledge of gymnastic shapes such as the star, tuck, pencil, and straddle, as well as their abilities in balancing, travelling, rolling, and sequencing actions from the first two units.

Each lesson within the unit has specific learning objectives and success criteria that guide both the teacher and the pupils through the expected outcomes. For instance, pupils will learn to maintain dynamic balances with control, transition from a tuck shape to a standing position, and execute jumps from various heights and directions with proper technique. The lessons are structured to last one hour, which includes time for changing, equipment setup, and pack up, though timings can be adjusted if necessary. Teachers are also encouraged to adapt equipment setup to their school's facilities and ensure that pupils understand safety rules when using gymnastic apparatus. The unit's medium-term plan outlines the progression of skills and the collaborative activities, like working with a partner using the mirror technique, which aims to develop coordination and cooperation among the pupils.