Gymnastics 2 - Lesson 6

In Year 3's sixth gymnastics lesson, students are encouraged to develop their ability to turn, twist, and spin with confidence, ensuring they can land with 'soft knees' to absorb the impact. The lesson's success criteria include the pupils being able to execute spins, turns, and twists, land with control, and trust in their own abilities during performances. Key vocabulary such as 'soft knees', 'bent knees', 'spin', 'turn', 'twist', 'flight', 'left', 'right', 'speed', and 'control' are emphasized. The necessary equipment comprises gymnastics mats and a class set of cones. The warm-up session involves the class teacher leading gentle stretches, focusing on why controlled stretching is important. This is followed by a series of instructed movements that include various degrees of turning, spinning, and squat jumps, all aimed at preparing the students for the main activities.

The main part of the lesson spans 30 minutes, beginning with a key teaching point where the instructor models a quarter turn followed by a jump across a cone. Pupils then pair up to practice a sequence of turns and jumps, with extensions including more complex movements like super domes and arabesque turns. The session progresses to 'Turning In Flight', where pupils work in groups to perform turns at the end of a bench and land on a mat, focusing on control and soft landings. A performance element allows one pupil from each group to demonstrate a turn to their peers, who then provide constructive feedback. The lesson concludes with a cool-down activity called 'Sand & Sea', where pupils respond to the teacher's commands with forward and backward jumps and squats, and a relaxation period where they reflect on the learning while lying down with closed eyes.