Gymnastics 1 - Lesson 1

The first lesson in the Year 4 Gymnastics module focuses on developing pupils' ability to perform and evaluate a gymnastics routine that includes matching balances. In this session, students work towards three key success criteria: being able to match and mirror their partner's balances, incorporating what they've learned into a routine, and evaluating and improving their performances. The lesson is rich with key vocabulary such as tension, balance, entrance, transition, fluency, and exit, which are essential terms for understanding and executing gymnastic movements. Equipment and resources necessary for the lesson include cones to delineate a safe zone and safety gymnastics mats for the activities.

The lesson commences with a warm-up where the teacher sets up a safe zone with cones and leads the class through various movements such as jogging, hopping, skipping, and running, all while ensuring space awareness. A shape recap follows, with pupils responding to shape calls like 'Pencil', 'Star', and 'Tuck Jump', each with a specific body position to adopt. The main part of the lesson involves pupils working in pairs on mats to practice different balances, such as the Standing Balance, Star Roll Balance, Arabesque Balance, Front Support Shape Balance, and Back Support Balance. Pupils are encouraged to hold each balance for at least three seconds, focusing on tight abdominal muscles and pointed toes, with the aim to extend the hold for longer to build strength. The session concludes with the creation and performance of a short routine that includes three matching balances, followed by a cool-down activity that incorporates reflection on the learning outcomes.